Here's what you need to know when driving in Nebraska
Across the Cornhusker State, there are 190,398 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap Car Insurance
What's the cheapest car insurance in Nebraska?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safeco | $496 |
| 2 | American National P&C | $641 |
| 3 | The Hartford | $856 |
| 4 | General Casualty | $1,043 |
| 5 | Farm Bureau Mutual (IA Group) | $1,138 |
| 6 | Allied | $1,161 |
| 7 | Nationwide | $1,165 |
| 8 | Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | $1,233 |
| 9 | USAA | $1,264 |
| 10 | Cal Casualty | $1,283 |
| 11 | State Farm | $1,297 |
| 12 | North Star | $1,610 |
| 13 | EMC Insurance | $1,628 |
| 14 | Iowa Mutual | $1,630 |
| 15 | Progressive | $1,840 |
| 16 | Metropolitan | $2,005 |
| 17 | GEICO | $2,051 |
| 18 | American Family | $2,057 |
| 19 | Shelter | $2,206 |
| 20 | Allstate | $2,266 |
| 21 | Farmers | $2,309 |
| 22 | Auto Club Group | $4,677 |
Get rates today!
Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Nebraska
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Nebraska drivers don't enjoy much of a rate discount for staying safe on the roads, as a lack of traffic tickets is rewarded by just a 14% price cut, compared to 17% nationally. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $203 | 14.66% |
| No Accidents | $576 | 32.80% |
| Good Credit | $868 | 42.35% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Nebraska
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Nebraska, the typical teen driver pays $4,891 per year, which aligns closely with the national average for all teen drivers.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,922 | $5,238 |
| 17 | $5,694 | $4,665 |
| 18 | $5,732 | $4,232 |
| 19 | $4,892 | $2,753 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Nebraska
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 39% after a DUI, 32% after an at-fault accident, and 14% after a speeding ticket in Nebraska. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Nebraska roughly align with national averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,757 | 32.80% |
| DUI | $1,938 | 39.06% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,384 | 14.66% |
| Bad Credit | $2,049 | 42.35% |
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Nebraska?
Almost every auto insurance company advertises its cheap prices. But as with any product or service, the most affordable car insurance isn't always the best choice. Considering what's at stake, it's worthwhile to do the homework to find an auto insurance policy that covers your vehicle adequately in the event of an accident. Be patient and look for the best value, rather than settling for the cheapest auto insurance you can find.
Compare popular insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the quality of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is rated on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Poor" to "Superior" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to fulfill its contractual and policy obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allied | 3 | Superior |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| American Family | 4 | Excellent |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| EMC | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| Farmers Mutual of Nebraska | Not Rated | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Iowa Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
Find your next insurance policy today!
What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in Nebraska?
The legal minimum car insurance in Nebraska is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you select the minimum required coverage in Nebraska, you can expect to owe an average of $422 per year. This expenditure is cheaper than the national average by 36%. If you opt for more comprehensive coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against the costs of car-vs.-car collisions, theft, or weather incidents. Better insurance coverage comes at a price: in Nebraska, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $998, 137% more than basic insurance coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 181% more than you would for basic liability-only coverage.
Compare average rates for basic, better, and best policy options in the table below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Nebraska | $421.84 | $997.73 | $1,186.28 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Nebraska
In Nebraska, drivers are required to maintain liability and uninsured motorist coverages at or above the below minimums:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Uninsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Nebraska (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
Nebraska car insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in Nebraska?
Many factors influence your car insurance rates. However, the average cost of car insurance in Nebraska is $422 for liability-only and $1,186 for full coverage.
Do I need insurance to register a car in Nebraska?
Yes. In order to drive your vehicle on public roadways, it must be registered with the state of Nebraska DMV.
How much does car insurance cost in Nebraska cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Columbus, Nebraska, and the most expensive in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsbluff | $1,488 |
| 2 | McCook | $1,476 |
| 3 | Omaha | $1,453 |
| 4 | Gering | $1,451 |
| 5 | Blair | $1,447 |
| 6 | Lexington | $1,429 |
| 7 | North Platte | $1,395 |
| 8 | Alliance | $1,372 |
| 9 | South Sioux City | $1,346 |
| 10 | Crete | $1,341 |
| 11 | Bellevue | $1,328 |
| 12 | Kearney | $1,327 |
| 13 | Seward | $1,313 |
| 14 | Beatrice | $1,305 |
| 15 | Papillion | $1,298 |
| 16 | La Vista | $1,297 |
| 17 | Hastings | $1,291 |
| 18 | York | $1,289 |
| 19 | Fremont | $1,281 |
| 20 | Nebraska City | $1,270 |
| 21 | Lincoln | $1,255 |
| 22 | Norfolk | $1,242 |
| 23 | Grand Island | $1,220 |
| 24 | Columbus | $1,209 |
Recent Nebraska Car Insurance Questions and Answers
My daughter totaled her car while she was covered under my insurance. How does this affect my rate?
If your daughter was the listed driver and the accident was logged correctly, most companies won't charge that against you. If you are looking to switch insurers and her accident comes up on your claims history, I would obtain proof or confirmation from that company that the claim wasn't yours so it can be cleared.
If I have a gap in insurance, is it better to join my girlfriend's car insurance?
It's certainly possible that being added to your girlfriend's policy could be cheaper. For instance, if you live with your girlfriend and she has an established policy (and a good driving record) she will likely have a better rate for having continuous insurance.
Garage doors damaged
Only file a claim if the damages are so bad that you couldn't pay out of pocket to get the car and garage fixed. If you file a claim, you will get stuck with an at fault accident on your record for 3 years.
Should I contact the police and insurance company days after I rear ended a car?
It is unlikely that the other driving contacting the police days after the accident will result in any citation. Unless they were called to the scene, they probably won't even be able to write an accident report.
Nebraska driving laws
Nebraska Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years old w/ Learner or Intermediate License
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
Nebraska DUI Laws
Nebraska has a lookback period of 15 years. After the first DUI, any subsequent offenses within 15 years will result in harsher penalties. In addition, penalties are enhanced for any DUI in which the driver has a BAC of 0.15% or higher. Penalties are also increased for any DUI that causes injury or death.
The first three DUI offenses in Nebraska are misdemeanors. A third DUI is a felony if the driver has a BAC of 0.15%. Four or more offenses are felonies and carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail for a fourth offense or 50 years for a fifth.
First-time DUI offenses in Nebraska lead to:
- Seven to 60 days in jail
- $500 in fines
- A 60-day license revocation
- 180-day license suspension for failing a BAC test
- Possible installation and use of an ignition interlock device for six months
How do tickets impact insurance rates in Nebraska?
If you receive a ticket or citation, your car insurance costs will probably go up. By how much depends on the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below car insurance costs in Nebraska after a few common citations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,038 | 59% | $754 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $1,898 | 48% | $614 |
| DUI | $1,898 | 48% | $614 |
| Racing | $2,038 | 59% | $754 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,072 | 61% | $788 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,038 | 59% | $754 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,763 | 37% | $478 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,754 | 37% | $469 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,608 | 25% | $324 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,574 | 23% | $290 |
| Improper Passing | $1,574 | 23% | $290 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,576 | 23% | $292 |
| Speeding | $1,538 | 20% | $254 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,560 | 21% | $275 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,576 | 23% | $292 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,558 | 21% | $274 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,576 | 23% | $292 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,533 | 19% | $249 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,505 | 17% | $221 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,570 | 22% | $285 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,509 | 17% | $224 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,509 | 17% | $224 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,429 | 11% | $145 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,414 | 10% | $130 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,391 | 8% | $106 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,414 | 10% | $130 |
Nebraska Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Nebraska area, while also getting an insider view of the Cornhusker State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.