Nebraska Car Insurance

Nebraska Car Insurance: The Basics

Cars are an important part of life in Nebraska. Most Nebraskans need to use them to travel the long distances between towns. But then there's the world-famous Carhenge located outside Alliance, NE that used 38 cars to build a life-size replica of the famous Stonehenge site in England. Getting there from Omaha or Lincoln is a long trip, but no matter where your destination is, be sure your vehicles are covered by the right auto insurance in Nebraska. Get a Nebraska car insurance quote today.

Driving Hazards in Nebraska

Driver fatigue and boredom can become a big problem on major Nebraska roads, like I-80, which are very flat and straight. This is especially true when driving for extended periods of time. Nebraska weather can also pose problems. During the winter months, some areas see nearly four feet of snow on average, and snowfall and wind conditions can change driving conditions without warning.

During the summer months, severe thunderstorms happen frequently. These storms often produce large, damaging hail and tornadoes. If you are in a vehicle and see a tornado, the National Weather Service recommends that you should never try to out-drive a tornado. The storms can often change direction quickly, and have the strength to pick up a car or truck. If you can, park the vehicle and seek shelter in a nearby building. If there is no time to get inside, find a low-lying area or ditch away from the vehicle and lay in it. Just be aware of the potential of flooding from heavy rains during the storm.

Nebraska Car Insurance Coverage

Nebraska's minimum requirements for car insurance coverage are:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
  • Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
  • Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Teen Drivers in Nebraska

School Permit: Nebraska teens can start driving as early as age 14 if they either live or attend school outside a metropolitan area. If so, they can apply for a School Learner's Permit (LPE) to allow them to practice driving for a School Permit. After two months of driving with an LPE, teens can apply for a School Permit that allows them to drive to and from school under the supervision of a licensed driver over 21 years of age.

Learner's Permit: At age 15, any teen in Nebraska can apply for a Learner's Permit (LPD), which allows them to practice driving with a licensed driver 21 or older.

Provisional Operator's Permit: At age 16, teens can apply for a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) if they have held a School or Learner's Permit for at least six months and complete a minimum of 50 hours of driving with 10 being at night, all under the supervision of a driver who is 21 or older. During the first six months of holding a POP, there cannot be more than one passenger in car the younger than 19 who is not a family member. There is also no driving between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless driving to or from a school or work activity.

Operator's License: At age 17, drivers who have held a POP for at least one year and have not accumulated 3 or more points on their driving record are eligible for an operator's license with no restrictions related to time or passengers.

Nebraska Registration Information

Vehicles are registered on a monthly, staggered basis. The registration expiration date is determined by the month the vehicle was purchased. However, owners of two or more vehicles may register their vehicles on a calendar-year basis (January to December), or on an annual basis for the same registration period beginning in the month chosen by the owner.

Vehicles may be registered, and registrations can be renewed, either online, in person or by mail. For first time registration, the following documents must be presented to the County Treasurer:

  • Proof of Financial Responsibility (Insurance).
  • Proof that sales or excise tax has been paid.
  • A copy of the signed lease agreement, if the vehicle is a leased vehicle.

For more information on the vehicle registration process in Nebraska see the Driver and Vehicle Records Division of the Nebraska DMV.