Nebraska requires at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 of property damage liability, often written as 25/50/25. Every policy also has to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, and Nebraska law gives you no way to reject it.
Nebraska isn’t a no-fault state, so personal injury protection isn’t required. The law makes the vehicle owner responsible for keeping the car insured, and a conviction for driving uninsured leads to a suspended license, registration and plates until you file proof of insurance and pay a reinstatement fee.
Key Takeaways
- Nebraska requires 25/50/25 liability plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at 25/50 each. You can’t turn the motorist coverages down, but you can ask in writing for higher limits.
- If you can’t show proof when an officer asks, you get ten days to produce it. If you were insured at the time, the citation is dismissed at no cost.
- Letting someone drive your uninsured car, or driving it yourself, is a Class II misdemeanor with up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
- After a conviction, your license, registration and plates are suspended until you file proof and pay the fee, and you have to keep proof on file for three years.
Nebraska Minimum Car Insurance at a Glance
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist | $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Can’t be rejected. |
| Underinsured motorist | $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Can’t be rejected. |
| Personal injury protection and medical payments | Not required |
| Collision and comprehensive | Not required by law, but lenders and lessors often require them |
The liability limits come from Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-534, and the Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDOI) lists them on its auto insurance page. Instead of a policy, you can meet the requirement with a surety bond or with a $75,000 deposit of cash or securities per vehicle under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-549. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-562, a person with more than 25 vehicles registered in their name may qualify to self-insure.
A 2026 bill, LB 793, would have raised the minimums, but BillTrack50 shows it was indefinitely postponed on April 17, 2026. The 25/50/25 limits are still the law. RateFrog’s guide to liability limits explains how these numbers work.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Nebraska
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6408, an auto liability policy on a car principally garaged in Nebraska has to include both uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Each must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. The statute doesn’t let the named insured decline either one. NDOI’s auto page lists the per-accident figure as $25,000, but the statute sets it at $50,000.
If you ask in writing, the insurer has to sell you higher UM and UIM limits, though it doesn’t have to go above $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The insurer isn’t required to offer higher limits again at renewal, so ask if you want a change. These coverages pay for bodily injury only. The statute doesn’t require coverage for damage to your car from an uninsured driver.
How Underinsured Motorist Coverage Pays
A vehicle is underinsured when its liability coverage is less than your bodily injury damages. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6409, the most your insurer owes is your damages minus what the at-fault driver or anyone else legally responsible paid you, and never more than your coverage limit.
Before you accept a settlement for the at-fault driver’s policy limits, Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6412 requires you to give your UIM insurer written notice by certified or registered mail, with wage and medical documentation. The insurer then has 30 days to decide whether to pay that amount itself. Settling without following these steps can put your UIM claim at risk, so talk to your insurer first.
Nebraska doesn’t allow stacking. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6410, limits can’t be added together across vehicles or claims. When more than one policy applies, Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6411 caps your recovery at the highest limit of any single policy. RateFrog’s guide to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explains these coverages in more depth.
No PIP or Medical Payments Requirement
Nebraska law doesn’t require personal injury protection or medical payments coverage. If you carry medical payments coverage anyway, 44-6409 says your UM and UIM limits aren’t reduced by those benefits, but UM and UIM won’t pay the same medical bills a second time.
Proof of Insurance in Nebraska
Nebraska accepts proof in paper or electronic form under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-323. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-387.01, you can show it on a phone, and doing so doesn’t give the officer consent to look at anything else on the device. The same law says you take responsibility for any damage to the phone when you hand it over.
The DMV’s proof of financial responsibility page says to carry proof in the vehicle at all times, so keep it with you. If you can’t show it when asked, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,167 gives you ten days to bring proof to the prosecutor. If you had coverage when you were stopped, the citation is dismissed at no cost. RateFrog’s guide to getting proof of insurance fast can help if you need a card right away.
How Nebraska Checks Your Coverage
When you register a car, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-387 requires proof of insurance or financial responsibility. Nebraska keeps a motor vehicle insurance database under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,136, and Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,137 requires insurers to report each auto liability policy to it.
According to the DMV’s insurance reporting guide, the database is used to check coverage electronically when you renew a registration. If the system can’t confirm it, it flags that your insurance card needs to be reviewed. Paying registration fees for a car that isn’t insured is a Class IV misdemeanor under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,168, with a fine of up to $500, and a court can’t suspend that penalty.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Nebraska
Nebraska’s main penalty falls on the owner. Under 60-3,167, an owner who drives an uninsured car on a public highway, or lets someone else drive it, breaks the law, and the owner is presumed to know when someone else is driving it. This rule doesn’t apply to vehicles registered in another state.
Court Penalties
A violation is a Class II misdemeanor. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-106, that carries up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, with no minimum.
License, Registration and Plate Suspension
On conviction, the DMV suspends the owner’s driver’s license, registration and plates. They stay suspended until you file proof of financial responsibility and pay the reinstatement fee under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-505.02. You then have to keep proof on file with the DMV for three continuous years after the violation.
The DMV’s no proof reinstatement guidance lists a $50 reinstatement fee, plus $3 if you pay online by card. It says the three years run from the citation date and still apply if you sell the car, leave Nebraska or change insurers. A higher $125 fee applies after a revocation. If you were insured on the citation date, the guidance says to send the citation and a letter from your insurer on its letterhead to have the suspension withdrawn. Under 60-3,167, if you later show you were covered, the DMV reinstates you at no cost.
Fake Insurance Cards
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-631, knowingly issuing a fake or counterfeit insurance card with intent to defraud is a Class IV felony, and knowingly possessing one is a Class I misdemeanor. Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-105 sets the maximum for a Class IV felony at two years in prison plus twelve months of post-release supervision, a $10,000 fine, or both.
A Crash Without Insurance
After a reported crash involving injury, death or property damage to any one person at or above the state’s threshold, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-507 directs the DMV to suspend each driver’s license within 90 days unless the driver deposits security or provides proof of financial responsibility. The DMV mails at least 20 days’ notice first. Its accident suspensions page puts the damage threshold at $2,000 or more for crashes on or after July 18, 2026.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-508, this doesn’t apply if the owner had a liability policy on the car or another policy covers the driver. If you’re suspended, the DMV says the license stays suspended until you provide proof of financial responsibility for the accident and pay the $50 fee. RateFrog’s guide to what happens when insurance lapses covers the broader risks.
SR-22 Filings in Nebraska
Nebraska uses the SR-22 form. The DMV’s SR-22 page says it’s the only form of proof of insurance accepted for these requirements, and the DMV doesn’t accept faxes or photocopies. If you don’t own a car, you’ll need a non-owner or operator policy. How long you need it depends on why:
- For a no proof of insurance conviction, three years from the ticket date.
- For point and court-ordered revocations, three years from the date you’re eligible for reinstatement.
- For accident suspensions, unsatisfied judgments and payment defaults, only on the reinstatement date.
- For employment, medical hardship and ignition interlock permits, for the term of the permit.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-529, insurers can file on paper or electronically until July 1, 2027, when filings must be electronic. If your SR-22 lapses or is canceled, the DMV’s insurance cancellation suspensions page says your license will be suspended. A new SR-22 effective on or before the suspension date can get the suspension withdrawn, and reinstating otherwise costs $50. RateFrog’s SR-22 guide explains how these filings work in general.
If You Can’t Find Coverage
The Nebraska Automobile Insurance Plan, in effect since 1946, is the option for drivers who can’t get coverage in the regular market. According to AIPSO, you apply through any agent or broker licensed to sell auto insurance in Nebraska. You’ll need to certify that you tried and failed to get coverage in the past 60 days at rates no higher than the plan’s, and you’ll need a valid driver’s license or eligibility for one through a filing. AIPSO lists the plan at (888) 706-6100 and private passenger policy service at 800-827-6370.
How Nebraska Insurers Set Rates
NDOI’s rate comparison guide lists rating factors such as age, sex, marital status and location, and it notes that discounts can differ by insurer. Ask each company which discounts you qualify for.
Credit is allowed with limits. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-7705, an insurer can’t:
- Use income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality in an insurance score
- Deny, cancel or nonrenew a policy based solely on credit, or set renewal rates based solely on credit
- Take adverse action solely because you don’t have a credit card
- Treat a missing or thin credit file as a negative
Insurers have to update credit information at least every 36 months, and you can ask to be re-rated at renewal once every 12 months, with some exceptions. RateFrog’s guide to the factors that affect car insurance rates covers the rest.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal Rules
Nebraska’s rules apply to personal auto policies on private passenger cars and certain pickups and vans not used in business, under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-514. They don’t apply to policies issued through the assigned risk plan. Once a policy has been in effect for 60 days, or if it’s a renewal, Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-515 lets the insurer cancel only for listed reasons, such as nonpayment, fraud or material misrepresentation, or a license suspension or revocation for you or a regular driver in your household.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-516, the insurer has to mail notice at least 30 days before a cancellation, or at least 10 days for nonpayment along with the reason. You can also get the reason by asking in writing at least 25 days before the effective date, and the insurer has five days to answer.
For nonrenewal, Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-517 requires at least 20 days’ notice, though not when the insurer offered to renew or you didn’t pay. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-518, you can ask for the reason in writing at least 15 days before the nonrenewal date. When an insurer cancels for a reason other than nonpayment, or nonrenews, Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-520 says the notice must tell you about possible coverage through an affiliate or the assigned risk plan. RateFrog’s guide to car insurance grace periods explains what usually happens when a payment is late.
Is Nebraska’s Minimum Coverage Enough?
A 25/50/25 policy can run out quickly in a serious crash, and $25,000 of property damage coverage may not replace a newer car. If a claim is more than your limits, you could owe the rest. Nebraska already makes you carry UM and UIM, but the 25/50 minimums may not cover a major injury. Raising your liability limits and asking in writing for higher UM and UIM limits usually costs more, so weigh the premium against what you’d have to pay out of pocket.
RateFrog’s guide to how much car insurance you need can help you choose, and you can compare car insurance quotes at several coverage levels.
Where to Get Help
For problems with an insurer, such as a cancellation, claim or premium dispute, contact the insurer first. If that doesn’t resolve it, NDOI’s Insurance Complaint Division takes calls at 877-564-7323 (toll-free in Nebraska) or 402-471-0888 and accepts complaints through its complaint page.
For suspensions, SR-22 filings and reinstatement, contact the DMV’s Financial Responsibility section at 402-471-3985. The DMV says these requirements can’t be handled at local driver license exam stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Reject Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska law requires both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident on every auto liability policy, and it doesn’t give you a way to decline them.
Does Nebraska Require PIP?
No. Nebraska isn’t a no-fault state, and it doesn’t require personal injury protection or medical payments coverage.
What Happens If I Can’t Show Proof of Insurance at a Stop?
You get ten days to bring proof to the prosecutor. If you were insured when you were stopped, the citation is dismissed at no cost.
How Long Do I Need an SR-22 After a No Insurance Conviction in Nebraska?
The DMV says three years from the ticket date. The three years still apply if you sell the car, move out of state or change insurers.
Sources
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: Important Auto Insurance and Types of Coverage
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: File a Complaint
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: A Rate Comparison Guide (2017)
- Nebraska DMV: Proof of Financial Responsibility
- Nebraska DMV: SR-22 for Revocations and Suspensions
- Nebraska DMV: Insurance Cancellation Suspensions
- Nebraska DMV: Accident Suspensions
- Nebraska DMV: No Proof Reinstatement Procedures (2016)
- Nebraska DMV: Nebraska Insurance Reporting Guide
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-323
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-387
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-387.01
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,136
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,137
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,167
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-3,168
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-505.02
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-507
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-508
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-529
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-534
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-549
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-562
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6408
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6409
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6410
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6411
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6412
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-514
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-515
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-516
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-517
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-518
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-520
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-7705
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-105
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-106
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-631
- AIPSO: Nebraska Automobile Insurance Plan
- BillTrack50: Nebraska LB 793 (2026)