Car Insurance In Nebraska 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

With 15 years in the insurance industry, I’ve had an opportunity to see the direct impact that car insurance prices can have on drivers. This guide will cover the changing laws in Nebraska, costs, and ways that you can save money on a car insurance policy.

Does Nebraska Require Car Insurance?

Yes, Nebraska requires all drivers to maintain minimum liability insurance and to carry proof of that insurance at all times. Minimum coverage requirements include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $25,000 per accident for property damage liability, and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury.

How Much Insurance Should You Get In Nebraska?

The state minimum for Nebraska typically only covers damages that you might cause to other drivers, which means that you’ll need to invest in a policy that goes beyond the state minimum if you want to protect yourself, especially against specific risks like wildlife and severe weather.

With an additional liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage, you’ll be in a position to better protect yourself against additional lawsuits.

Similarly, full coverage adds collision and comprehensive insurance to help protect any damages done to your vehicle from any damage, even in an accident that you cause or in single-vehicle accidents like those involving wildlife.

Comprehensive coverage is a good investment in Nebraska because the state frequently experiences high hail insurance claims, and standard liability won’t cover any hail damage. There is also a 1 in 140 chance of colliding with a large animal, particularly deer, or dealing with environmental hazards like agricultural fires and spring floods, all of which can only be covered under comprehensive insurance.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Nebraska?

The average cost for state minimum coverage in 2025 is between $369 to $524 annually ($31 and $44 per month). Full coverage averages approximately $1,929 to $2,393 annually ($161 and $199 per month). There are, however, several other risk factors that might influence what you pay for your car insurance in Nebraska:

• Non-Owner Car Insurance: For those who drive on occasion but don’t own a car, it is still worth carrying insurance for when you are behind the wheel, the costs for which average between $15 and $23 per month.
• Temporary / Short-Term Insurance: It is rare, but if you need temporary insurance, between one and six months, the price averages $90 per month.
• Senior Car Insurance: Seniors (age 60+) pay an average of $111 to $191 per month for full coverage.
• Teen Car Insurance (Age 16–19): Teens have some of the highest costs, as they bring the highest risk. The average full coverage cost is $269 per month.
• SR-22 / High-Risk Filing: If you are required to carry an SR-22, you can expect an increase in your monthly costs by an average of $12 to $25. High-risk drivers will face similar price increases, around $75 to $82 for minimum coverage.
• College Students / Young Adults (Age 20–25): The average rates for college students are between $225 and 234 per month for full coverage. There are, however, some providers in the state that specialize in more affordable policies for young drivers, especially those with good grades.
• Bad Credit: If you have a poor credit score, your costs can reach between $164 and $233 per month for full coverage, and some specialty providers can offer minimum coverage plans for around $40 per month.
• With a Speeding Ticket: If you receive a ticket for speeding, you can expect an increase in your annual premiums by around 36%.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Nebraska?

Drivers in Nebraska can find many major national carriers or regional insurers for affordable and customizable car insurance policies in the Cornhusker State. These include:

• State Farm
• Progressive
• GEICO
• American Family Insurance
• Farmers Insurance
• Allstate
• Nationwide
• Travelers
• USAA
• Liberty Mutual
• Farmers Mutual of Nebraska (FMNE)
• Auto-Owners Insurance:
• Shelter Insurance
• American National
• COUNTRY Financial
• National General Insurance
• IMT Insurance
• North Star Mutual Insurance Company
• Dairyland Insurance
• Safeco
• Root Insurance

If you are looking to find the best fit for your needs, compare quotes and coverage details through Insuranceopedia.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Nebraska

Traverse throughout Nebraska has had to contend with increasing costs for auto repairs, inflation-based price hikes, and other challenges in maintaining affordable coverage. Through several local and general strategies, drivers can help lower their insurance premiums.

Increase Your Deductible

One of the easiest ways to get lower insurance premiums in Nebraska is to increase your out-of-pocket deductible. If, for example, you have the ability to set aside $1,000 for an emergency, then increasing your out-of-pocket deductible from $200 to $1,000 can give you Savings of up to 40% off your premiums.

Complete A Safemotorist Nebraska Discount Course

Nebraska drivers can get discounts on insurance premiums by taking safety classes or defensive driving classes.

Eco-Friendly Vehicle Rebates And Discounts

In some parts of Nebraska, like Omaha, drivers who use a compressed natural gas vehicle can get a $500 rebate. Other carriers will provide discounts for hybrid or electric vehicles.

Improve Safety in Cars

There are several ways that you can improve the safety of your vehicle and receive discounts from many national providers, including anti-theft devices, alarms, and GPS tracking.

Keep Good Grades

If you have a teenage driver, keeping good grades, generally a B average or higher, can qualify them for good student discounts. As teenagers have the highest annual premiums out of any other age demographic, these discounts can be very useful for families.

Be A Safe Driver

Adults, too, should be safe drivers, as maintaining a clean record with no speeding tickets or accidents over the last 3 to 5 years can keep your premiums down.

Bundle Your Policies

If you are able to, bundle multiple policies like homeowners insurance or renters insurance with your car insurance. This can save upwards of 25% on average across each of your policies.

Proof Of Insurance In Nebraska

Nebraska requires all motorists to have continual insurance coverage and to be able to prove it. Nebraska drivers need to have their original certificate or policy issued by their insurance company or an electronic version of their insurance card on their phone.

If you are pulled over or an officer requests proof of insurance and you don’t have it, the DMV can suspend your license and your registration if proof isn’t provided within 10 days. It can also be a class II misdemeanor if you were driving without insurance at all.

If you get convicted of driving without proof of insurance, your fines will start at $50 but can increase based on whether an accident was involved or repeat offenses. Judges can choose to suspend your license and registration and require that you maintain an SR-22 certificate for 3 years. You will also have to pay reinstatement fees of $50 for your license and $50 for your registration.

Nebraska State Driving Laws

Nebraska has a comparative negligence system with many mandatory insurance requirements. Understanding these laws can help drivers make informed decisions.

Fault State (Tort System)

Nebraska is an at-fault state, so whichever driver is responsible for an accident is also responsible for any resulting damages and injuries, including those of the other parties.

Civil Suit Thresholds (Comparative Negligence)

Compensation in Nebraska is reduced by whatever percentage of fault you are found, but you can only recover damages if you are found to be less than 50% at fault.

Drivers Without Insurance

Drivers are required to carry insurance, and failure to do so is a class II misdemeanor.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM

UM and underinsured motorist (UIM) bodily injury coverage are mandatory in Nebraska.

SR-22s

After certain violations like driving without insurance or a DUI, Nebraska drivers will need an SR-22 certificate to reinstate their driving privileges. This must be maintained for 3 years.

DUI Laws

Nebraska’s legal BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, with a 0.02% zero-tolerance limit for anyone under age.

Seat Belt Laws

All drivers and passengers have to wear a seatbelt, but it’s considered a secondary offense, which means you can only receive a citation for it if you are pulled over for something else.

Distracted Driving

Use of a handheld wireless device is prohibited, but it is also a secondary offense, so you can’t be pulled over for using a phone, but you can be charged for using one if you are pulled over for something else.

Teen Driving Laws

Nebraska uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, allowing teenagers to start driving with a permit and eventually full driving privileges by age 16.

Defensive Driving

Nebraska allows drivers to reduce points on their record or get discounts on their insurance if they take a state-approved defensive driving course.

Statute Of Limitations

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit or property damage lawsuit is 4 years.

When To Report An Accident

Accidents have to be reported to the County Sheriff’s or police in the event of any injury, death, or property damage worth more than $1,000.

Total Loss Declaration

Nebraska declares vehicles a total loss at the cost of repairs exceeding the actual cash value.

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance providers must give you advanced written notice before they cancel or fail to renew a policy so that you have time to get new insurance.

Nebraska Car Insurance Contact Information

There are several state and local agencies that handle vehicle insurance issues, so knowing who to contact can save you a lot of time.

1. Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDI)

The NDI, led by Director Eric Dunning, regulates the insurance industry, so if you have a dispute with your insurance provider because they denied a claim, if you need to verify that an insurance provider is allowed to work in Nebraska, or if you just need help buying a policy and knowing what your rights are, this is who you can contact.

Contact Information:

• Consumer Hotline: (877) 564-7323 (Toll-free) or (402) 471-0888
• Main Office: (402) 471-2201
• Email: doi.insurancecomplaints@nebraska.gov
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 95087, Lincoln, NE 68509-5087
• Website: nebraska.gov

2. Nebraska Motor Vehicle Division (DMV)

The DMV handles driver records, insurance, and law enforcement. This is who you would contact if you needed to reinstate your driving privileges because you were suspended for not having adequate car insurance, if you need to verify that the state has a copy of your SR-22 certificate, or if you have questions about a vehicle record or title.

Contact Information:

• Main Office: (402) 471-2281
• Driver & Vehicle Records: (402) 471-3918
• Financial Responsibility Division: (402) 471-3985
• Website: dmv.nebraska.gov

3. County Treasurer Offices (Registration & Plates)

License plates and vehicle registration are handled by County Treasurer offices, so if you need to present proof of insurance, transfer a vehicle title, or register a new vehicle, you would need to contact your county treasurer.

Contact Information:

• Location Finder: Use the Nebraska DMV County Locations Table to find your specific county office.
• Lancaster County: (402) 441-7497
• Douglas County: (402) 444-7103

Common Nebraska Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

Nebraska has seen a record-breaking spike in car accident fatalities over the last few years, but vehicle thefts and traffic accidents have started to decline in 2025.

Traffic Fatality Data

In 2024, Nebraska saw record-high traffic fatalities, the highest since 2007. With an 11% increase, nearly two-thirds of all traffic fatalities happen in rural areas. Most of this is caused by dangerous winter weather, highways, wildlife, and driving behavior.

The leading cause of traffic fatalities in Nebraska is distracted driving, driving under the influence, or speeding. Deer and other big game represent the second biggest risk.

Throughout the year, high speeds on I-80 contribute to a rise in fatalities, with early 2024 seeing a 400% spike in highway fatalities. This is an even bigger risk in winter, where snow and black ice make traction and stopping problematic.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Between 2023 and 2024, Nebraska saw a 29% decrease in car thefts, particularly in Lincoln, which saw a drop of 36%. Still, one of the leading risk factors for car theft in major cities is leaving cars unlocked.