Is car insurance required in Nebraska?

Yes, state laws require all Nebraska drivers operating motor vehicles to have auto insurance. The minimum liability coverage requirement is 25/50/25, while the minimum requirement for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is 25/50. Additionally, you should carry proof of insurance when you drive. Lacking proof of insurance in interactions with law enforcement will lead to penalties and fines.

Do you need car insurance to register a car in Nebraska?

Yes, Nebraska requires proof of insurance when registering a motor vehicle. That means you will need to purchase a policy before getting a certificate of vehicle registration. You will present this document to the county treasurer when you apply for registration.

What is “basic” car insurance in Nebraska?

Basic car insurance refers to the state minimum requirements. In Nebraska, this includes 25/50/25 liability coverage. Drivers should have at least $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person, up to $50,000 per accident, with $25,000 in property damage coverage. Additionally, you should also have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injuries per person and $50,000 per accident. Driving without enough coverage may result in fines and penalties.

Does insurance follow the car or driver in Nebraska?

Whether the auto insurance coverage follows the car or the driver will depend on the type of coverage that you have. Typically, liability coverage follows the driver. However, in Nebraska, auto insurance policies follow the car. That means your insurance will pay for bodily injuries and property damage even if you are not the one driving your car during the accident.

Can you get car insurance without a license in Nebraska?

Yes, it is possible to get car insurance without a license in Nebraska. However, the process can be complicated. Many auto insurance carriers do not offer policies to those who do not have a license. Note that Nebraska laws require a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

Is Nebraska a no-fault state and what does this mean?

No, Nebraska is not a no-fault state. That means the insurance provider of the at-fault driver will cover all related expenses, including bodily injuries and property damage. If you get hit by an uninsured driver, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will take care of the costs.

Is PIP coverage required in Nebraska?

Personal injury protection (PIP) pays for the policyholder’s medical expenses related to injuries incurred from a covered accident. It is often a requirement in no-fault states. Since Nebraska is an at-fault state, it does not require PIP coverage.

Does Nebraska require uninsured motorist insurance?

Yes, Nebraska laws mandate that drivers and vehicle owners should have uninsured motorist insurance. The minimum requirements for this coverage include $25,000 for bodily injuries per person and $50,000 for total bodily injuries per accident.

Does Nebraska allow for diminished value compensation after an accident?

No. Nebraska is not one of the states that allow policyholders to file diminished value claims.

How do car insurance requirements change after a DUI in Nebraska?

After a DUI, your license will immediately be confiscated, and you will have to pay a reinstatement fee. Additionally, your car insurance requirements will change. You will have to obtain an SR-22 insurance policy and maintain it for three years. This will result in more expensive insurance rates.

What is a CARCO inspection and is it required?

There are states that require a CARCO inspection, which is a pre-insurance vehicle photo inspection. It documents the car’s condition, including its mileage, physical condition and all existing options and accessories. Nebraska is not among the states that require a CARCO inspection.

Nebraska Minimum Car Insurance Requirements, Penalties and Other Auto Insurance Laws

Nebraska car insurance laws state that drivers must carry a policy that meets at least the state minimum requirement of 25/50/25. This means you will have to buy an auto insurance policy that covers $25,000 in bodily injury per person and up to $50,000 per accident, with $25,000 in property damage coverage. Drivers are also required to maintain uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with at least $25,000 for bodily injuries per person and $50,000 per accident. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to penalties, suspension of registration, suspension of license or imprisonment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Nebraska
How Much Does Minimum Car Insurance Cost?
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Nebraska
FAQs

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Nebraska?

How much car insurance do you need in Nebraska? Car insurance laws, which determine the minimum coverage requirements, vary by state. But the amount of coverage you should buy will also depend on your needs. If you are looking for the cheapest option, you can consider purchasing a policy that only meets the state minimum requirements.

Based on state laws, Nebraska car insurance policies should include the following coverages:

$25,000 for bodily injuries per person
$50,000 for bodily injuries per accident
$25,000 for property damage
$25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person
$50,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident

Drivers with minimum-coverage policies tend to pay the cheapest rates in Nebraska. However, they also have the least protection. Evaluate your situation and needs to determine if these amounts are enough or if you need higher liability limits. For those looking for broader protection, getting a policy with comprehensive and collision insurance coverage may be the best option.

What Does This Minimum Coverage Mean?

Most states, including Nebraska, require liability insurance. It protects you from financial loss by paying for the other party’s injuries and property damage if you caused the accident. Liability limits in Nebraska are 25/50/25. This means your policy should have at least $25,000 for bodily injuries per person and up to $50,000 per accident. Nebraska car insurance requirements also include a minimum of $25,000 for property damage. Additionally, Nebraska also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injuries per person and up to $50,000 per accident.

How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in Nebraska?

Various factors, including the driver’s age, ZIP code, driving history and credit score, affect the cost of car insurance in Nebraska. Rates may also vary greatly between different insurance companies. Shop around and compare personalized quotes to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Nebraska for you.

For a state-minimum policy, the cheapest car insurance in Nebraska costs $307 per year on average from GEICO.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Nebraska driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

For this study, MoneyGeek compared average rates for state minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of 25/50. The sample driver profile used was a 40-year-old male Nebraska resident with a 2010 Toyota Camry, a clean driving record and a good credit score.

If you're instead looking for a policy that balances quality with affordability, MoneyGeek also ranked the top car insurance companies in Nebraska.

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Nebraska While Leasing a Car?

While state laws set minimum liability requirements for drivers, Nebraska car lease insurance requirements may be different. Leasing companies may require additional auto insurance coverage, so a policy that only meets the state minimums may not suffice. Most leasing companies will ask you to have full coverage car insurance that typically has at least 100/300/50 limits. This means you will need at least $100,000 for bodily injuries per person, up to $300,000 per accident, with $50,000 for property damage. Contact your leasing company to find their minimum coverage requirement in Nebraska.

When determining how much car insurance you need, you will have to evaluate your needs and circumstances. While some drivers may find Nebraska’s minimum car insurance to be sufficient, drivers who want better protection will have to purchase higher liability limits. Generally, MoneyGeek recommends at least 50/100/50 full coverage insurance for Nebraska drivers.

9.3% of drivers in the state are uninsured motorists. Nebraska requires all drivers to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to ensure that they are covered for injuries and property damage if a motorist with insufficient insurance hits them.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Nebraska

Driving without auto insurance in Nebraska can result in penalties and fines. In addition to purchasing a policy with the minimum car insurance requirements, the state requires all drivers to always carry proof of insurance. This document is also necessary when registering a motor vehicle.

Failure to present proof of insurance when a law enforcement officer asks may lead to the following:

License suspension until submission of proof of insurance
Reinstatement fee of $50

Meanwhile, driving without auto insurance in Nebraska will result in the following penalties:

Suspension of license, Certificate of Registration and license plates until payment of fees and submission of proof of insurance
Reinstatement fee of $50
Registration renewal fee of $50

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Nebraska

Drivers looking for auto insurance in Nebraska often have questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked queries.

Learn More About Car Insurance

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

sources

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Kelley Blue Book. "Penalties for Driving without Car Insurance by State." Accessed July 8, 2021.
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