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Nebraska car insurance requirements at a glance
Coverage | Minimum Requirement in Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | $25,000 per person/$25,000 per accident |
Nebraska car insurance requirements explained
Nebraska’s minimum coverage requirement, commonly expressed as 25/50/25, is the most common minimum liability limit among U.S. states.[1] Nebraska is a tort state, meaning the driver who causes a crash is also financially responsible for injuries and property damage.
Nebraska car insurance requirements don’t include no-fault medical benefits. But drivers must carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, which is also a requirement in nearly half of all states.
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Nebraska bodily injury liability insurance requirements
Nebraska law requires auto insurance policies to have a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, a moderate requirement compared to other states. Bodily injury coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, and related costs when you cause an accident that injures another driver or their passengers.[2]
Nebraska uses a modified comparative negligence rule. That means if you’re 50% or more at-fault in a car accident, the other party can sue you for damages, but their share of fault will reduce the amount of their award. Your bodily injury liability covers injury-related costs up to the limits of your policy when you’re at fault.
Nebraska property damage liability insurance requirements
Nebraska law requires drivers to carry $25,000 in property damage liability coverage, a common minimum coverage requirement for many states. This pays to repair or replace another person’s vehicle or property when you cause an accident. For example, if you damage another driver’s vehicle or crash into their fence, property damage insurance covers the repairs.
Nebraska uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance requirements
Nebraska requires drivers to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. About half of states require UM/UIM coverage that matches bodily injury liability limits. It covers medical expenses and other costs related to injuries for you and your passengers if a driver with insufficient insurance coverage or no insurance at all hits you.
For example, if an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in death or injury for you or someone in your car, you can file a claim against your own insurance policy to cover medical care or funeral expenses. UM/UIM coverage in Nebraska doesn’t pay for property damage.
Are Nebraska’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?
Nebraska’s minimum liability limits likely aren’t sufficient for most drivers. In fact, the Nebraska Department of Insurance warns that state-minimum coverage requirements may not be enough to cover the damage if a car accident results in a total loss.
For example, the average new-car price was more than $50,000 in August 2026 — twice the minimum property damage limit. Any damage you cause that exceeds your policy limit becomes your financial responsibility.
Most insurance industry experts recommend buying enough liability coverage to protect your assets. You can typically raise your coverage limits for a minimal increase in your insurance premium. The table below shows common recommendations for coverage limits in Nebraska.
Coverage | Recommended Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $100,000 per accident |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident |
Agent Tip: Consider a full-coverage policy for better financial security
“If you’re considering a liability-only policy to get a lower premium, it’s still worth the investment to buy higher limits than your state’s minimum. Nebraska’s limits, like many other states, probably don’t provide enough coverage for most people.”
Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in Nebraska
A minimum-coverage policy will allow you to drive legally in Nebraska, but other factors will influence what additional coverages you need.
Full-coverage insurance: If you have an auto loan or lease, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverage, which pay for theft or damage to your own vehicle after a crash or non-collision event like severe weather.[3]
Other vehicle insurance: Your auto policy won’t cover other types of vehicles you might own. Nebraska requires you to have a separate insurance policy if you operate a motorcycle, ATV, RV, or off-road or commercial vehicle.
SR-22 insurance: About 1.2% of Nebraska drivers have DUI convictions, according to Insurify data. If you accumulate points on your record or have a suspended license due to a court conviction, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles may require an insurer to file an SR-22 certificate on your behalf. This proves you have a car insurance policy that meets state requirements. If you don’t own a vehicle, you’ll need non-owner SR-22 insurance.[4]
How Nebraska’s car insurance requirements influence rates
The average cost of car insurance in Nebraska is $135 per month for full coverage and $70 for liability-only coverage, per Insurify data.
Nebraska’s minimum car insurance requirements are moderate relative to other states, and this helps keep the state’s car insurance rates relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Nebraska also has a moderate motor vehicle theft rate, according to Insurify data, and a moderate traffic fatality rate relative to other states. Nebraska ranks 10th for states with the lowest rates of uninsured drivers, according to Insurance Research Council data.
Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in Nebraska
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $41 |
| Progressive | $50 |
| American Family | $57 |
| National General | $57 |
| USAA | $63 |
| GEICO | $66 |
| State Farm | $71 |
| The General | $72 |
| Safeco | $74 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $75 |
| Root | $79 |
| Bristol West | $91 |
| Liberty Mutual | $95 |
| Dairyland | $104 |
| Farmers | $118 |
| Shelter | $121 |
Nebraska Automobile Insurance Plan
Like many other states, Nebraska has an assigned-risk auto insurance plan for hard-to-insure drivers. Every insurance company that sells car insurance in the state must participate in the plan.
If you’ve tried to get insurance for 60 consecutive days but couldn’t find anything cheaper than Nebraska Automobile Insurance Plan rates, you may be able to apply for coverage through the plan. Keep in mind that premiums are usually higher for insurance through an assigned-risk plan.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Nebraska
Driving without insurance coverage or alternative proof of financial responsibility in Nebraska is illegal and results in the following penalties and fees:[5]
License suspension: If you receive a citation for driving without proof of insurance that results in a conviction, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles will automatically suspend your driver’s license.
SR-22 certificate: If your license is suspended, you’ll need to file proof of financial responsibility to reinstate it. Typically, a Nebraska car insurance company files an SR-22 form with the DMV and maintains the certificate for three years. Nebraska drivers with an SR-22 also pay higher car insurance premiums on average, according to Insurify data.
Reinstatement fee: Reinstating your driver’s license after a conviction for driving uninsured also requires you to pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
If you can’t show proof of auto insurance when a law enforcement officer pulls you over, but you had an active car insurance policy at the time of the citation, you can submit a letter of verification from your insurance company. Upon review, the DMV may remove the suspension from your record.
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Other car insurance coverages worth considering in Nebraska
State-minimum liability insurance won’t protect you against every risk in the Cornhusker State. Consider adding these optional coverages:
Collision coverage: Collision insurance pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause a crash or hit a pothole. About 5.4% of Nebraska drivers have accidents on their records, Insurify data shows.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance pays for theft and damage from non-collision causes, like vandalism, severe weather, and hitting animals. Nebraska ranks No. 4 in the nation for the number of major hail events, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Comprehensive insurance covers hail damage, and some insurers will pay to repair your windshield with no deductible.
Medical payments coverage: MedPay covers injuries when you and your passengers are hurt in an accident. This coverage helps you afford care immediately without waiting for insurers to determine fault.
Roadside assistance coverage: Roadside assistance or towing coverage pays to transport your car to an auto repair shop when it breaks down on the road. It may also cover a minor repair or tire change at the breakdown site. This is helpful when driving on remote or rural roads, such as Nebraska’s many scenic byways.
Nebraska car insurance requirements FAQs
If you still have questions about Nebraska car insurance laws or auto insurance requirements, learn from these questions drivers commonly ask.
What’s the only state that doesn’t require car insurance?
New Hampshire doesn’t require drivers to carry auto insurance. But if you cause an accident in New Hampshire, you need to prove you have the funds to meet financial responsibility requirements to avoid a suspension of your driving privileges.
Is it illegal to drive without car insurance in Nebraska?
It’s illegal to drive in Nebraska without acceptable proof of financial responsibility. Most drivers fulfill the requirement by purchasing an auto insurance policy. But you can also meet requirements by filing a $75,000 surety bond or property bond with the Nebraska DMV, depositing $75,000 with the State Treasurer, or obtaining a Certificate of Self Insurance.
Is car insurance expensive in Nebraska?
Car insurance in Nebraska is relatively affordable compared to the national average. The average monthly car insurance rates in Nebraska are $135 for full coverage and $70 for state-minimum coverage, according to Insurify data. By comparison, the national averages are $187 and $99, respectively.
What is the cheapest auto insurance in Nebraska?
The cheapest car insurance company in Nebraska is Auto-Owners, with an average premium of just $41 per month for liability coverage. But the cheapest car insurance for you will depend on factors like your driving record, age, vehicle type, and location.
Can a 26-year-old be on their parents’ car insurance in Nebraska?
A 26-year-old can be on their parents’ car insurance in Nebraska if they live in the same household, even if the adult child drives their own car. If they live in different households, they may need a separate auto policy, but there are exceptions. For example, many insurers will cover a student away at school under the same policy. Check with your insurance company.
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "NAIC’s Compendium of State Laws on Insurance Topics—Summer 2024 COMPULSORY MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE."
- Nebraska Department of Insurance. "Importance of Auto Insurance and Types of Coverage."
- Nebraska Department of Insurance. "Auto Insurance Guidebook."
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. "SR-22 For Revocations/Suspensions."
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements (Proof of Financial Responsibility)."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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