Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Policies must also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident each. A bond is also listed by the DMV as acceptable proof of financial responsibility.

Question 2

Is Nebraska a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska uses a fault-based system: a driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and property damage, which liability coverage pays up to its limits. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays your bodily-injury costs if the at-fault driver has no or insufficient coverage.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are both required in every auto liability policy for a vehicle principally garaged in Nebraska, each at limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. At the named insured's written request, the insurer must provide higher UM/UIM limits under its rating plan, but not more than $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Proof of financial responsibility is required for every vehicle registered in Nebraska, must be carried in the vehicle at all times (trailers and some other vehicles excepted), and must be shown to the County Treasurer when registering. A certificate of insurance or the policy must be an original from an insurer authorized in Nebraska (photocopies are not accepted), but evidence of insurance may be displayed as an electronic image on a phone, tablet or laptop.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

An owner who drives or allows a vehicle to be driven without insurance is guilty of a Class II misdemeanor; on conviction, the owner's driver's license, registration and license plates are suspended until proof of financial responsibility is filed, and the owner must maintain that proof for three continuous years. An owner who could not show proof when stopped has ten days to show the prosecutor that insurance was in effect, and the citation is then dismissed. Paying registration fees without keeping insurance in effect for the whole registration period is a Class IV misdemeanor. To reinstate after a no-proof-of-insurance conviction, the DMV requires an SR-22 and a $50 reinstatement fee.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in Nebraska, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

After a suspension or revocation from a court conviction, point accumulation or other administrative action, the Nebraska DMV requires an SR-22 filing proving all vehicles you own are insured (or a non-owner policy if you own none); it is the only proof accepted and cannot be faxed or photocopied. After a no-proof-of-insurance conviction, the SR-22 must stay on file for three years from the date of the citation, regardless of where you live, and a lapse leads to suspension.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

For policies in effect 60 days or more (or renewals), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation, or violation of policy terms; or because the named insured or a household or regular driver had a license suspended or revoked, was convicted of auto theft, or committed an offense requiring suspension. Cancellation notice must be mailed at least 30 days before the effective date (10 days, with the reason, for nonpayment), and the insurer must give the reason on written request. Nonrenewal requires at least 20 days' advance notice.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality; may not deny, cancel or nonrenew personal insurance, or set renewal rates, solely on credit information; and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card account.

Question 9

When is a car a total loss in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

When an insurer pays a total loss settlement on a damaged vehicle that meets Nebraska's statutory definition of salvage, the insurer (if it takes the vehicle) or the owner (if the owner keeps it) must obtain a salvage branded certificate of title. Anyone who acquires a salvage vehicle without a salvage branded title must surrender the title to the county treasurer and apply for one within thirty days after acquiring it, or before reselling it or its major parts, whichever is earlier.

Question 10

How do you transfer a car title in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Titles are issued by County Treasurer offices. Everyone named on the title must sign the seller's section, liens must be released, and the seller completes the odometer certification and gives the buyer a bill of sale or Nebraska Department of Revenue Form 6. The buyer's name, address and signature must be filled in at the time of purchase; an "open title" is illegal and will be confiscated. The buyer must obtain a certificate of title within 30 days of purchase by presenting an Application for Certificate of Title and the $10 title fee to a County Treasurer.

Question 11

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

New residents with a valid license from another state must get a Nebraska driver's license within 30 days. Vehicles must be titled and registered within 30 days after arriving in Nebraska, at the County Motor Vehicle Office where you reside, with your current title, an Application for Certificate of Title, original proof of insurance, your latest registration and fees. The first step is a vehicle inspection (a sheriff's inspection for out-of-state titles); the title fee is $10.

Question 12

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

File a complaint with the Nebraska Department of Insurance, Insurance Complaint Division, using its online complaint form (English or Spanish) or a downloadable PDF form. Phone: 877-564-7323 (toll-free in Nebraska) or 402-471-0888; fax 402-471-4610; email doi.insurancecomplaints@nebraska.gov; mail: Nebraska Department of Insurance, P.O. Box 95087, Lincoln, NE 68509-5087.

Minimum coverage required	Nebraska requires 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Policies must also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident each. A bond is also listed by the DMV as acceptable proof of financial responsibility. UM/UIM: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-6408 ; bond: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/ins-req Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §60-310; §44-6408
At-fault or no-fault	Nebraska uses a fault-based system: a driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and property damage, which liability coverage pays up to its limits. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays your bodily-injury costs if the at-fault driver has no or insufficient coverage. Source: Nebraska Department of Insurance, Auto Insurance Guidebook
Uninsured motorist coverage	Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages are both required in every auto liability policy for a vehicle principally garaged in Nebraska, each at limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. At the named insured's written request, the insurer must provide higher UM/UIM limits under its rating plan, but not more than $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §44-6408
Proof of insurance	Proof of financial responsibility is required for every vehicle registered in Nebraska, must be carried in the vehicle at all times (trailers and some other vehicles excepted), and must be shown to the County Treasurer when registering. A certificate of insurance or the policy must be an original from an insurer authorized in Nebraska (photocopies are not accepted), but evidence of insurance may be displayed as an electronic image on a phone, tablet or laptop. Source: Nebraska DMV, Insurance Requirements (Proof of Financial Responsibility)

Cancellation and nonrenewal	For policies in effect 60 days or more (or renewals), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; fraud or material misrepresentation, or violation of policy terms; or because the named insured or a household or regular driver had a license suspended or revoked, was convicted of auto theft, or committed an offense requiring suspension. Cancellation notice must be mailed at least 30 days before the effective date (10 days, with the reason, for nonpayment), and the insurer must give the reason on written request. Nonrenewal requires at least 20 days' advance notice. Reasons: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-515 ; nonrenewal: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=44-517 Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§44-515, 44-516, 44-517
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality; may not deny, cancel or nonrenew personal insurance, or set renewal rates, solely on credit information; and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card account. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §44-7705
Total loss rules	When an insurer pays a total loss settlement on a damaged vehicle that meets Nebraska's statutory definition of salvage, the insurer (if it takes the vehicle) or the owner (if the owner keeps it) must obtain a salvage branded certificate of title. Anyone who acquires a salvage vehicle without a salvage branded title must surrender the title to the county treasurer and apply for one within thirty days after acquiring it, or before reselling it or its major parts, whichever is earlier. Statute: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=60-175 . Source: Nebraska DMV, Salvage Titles; Neb. Rev. Stat. §60-175
Complaints about an insurer	File a complaint with the Nebraska Department of Insurance, Insurance Complaint Division, using its online complaint form (English or Spanish) or a downloadable PDF form. Phone: 877-564-7323 (toll-free in Nebraska) or 402-471-0888; fax 402-471-4610; email doi.insurancecomplaints@nebraska.gov; mail: Nebraska Department of Insurance, P.O. Box 95087, Lincoln, NE 68509-5087. Source: Nebraska Department of Insurance, File a Complaint

Nebraska Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for Nebraska

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

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