Short answer: Nebraska drivers need liability coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Every policy must also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at $25,000/$50,000. Proof must ride in the car, and a no-proof conviction suspends your license until you file an SR-22 and pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
Four coverages, one floor
| Coverage | Required minimum | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 one person / $50,000 two or more | Neb. Rev. Stat. §60-310 |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 | §60-310 |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | $25,000 / $50,000 | §44-6408 |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | $25,000 / $50,000 | §44-6408 |
Unlike states where UM is optional or can be signed away, §44-6408 says no liability policy on a Nebraska-garaged vehicle may be issued or renewed without both coverages at those limits. If you ask in writing, the insurer must provide higher UM and UIM limits, though the statute doesn't require it to go above $100,000/$300,000.
A household protection many drivers miss
Section 60-310 adds a sentence that matters for families. A Nebraska auto liability policy can't exclude, limit or reduce liability coverage solely because the injured person is the named insured or lives in the named insured's household. If you injure your spouse in a crash you caused, your liability coverage still responds. Court annotations say this applies whether you carry the minimum or higher limits.
Proof you need to carry
The Nebraska DMV's insurance requirements page says proof of financial responsibility is required for every vehicle registered in the state and must be in the vehicle at all times. Exceptions include trailers (the towing vehicle's policy must cover them), snowmobiles, boats, dealer-plated vehicles, and campers on pickups, where proof covers the truck.
Accepted forms:
- An insurance card or certificate from an insurer authorized in Nebraska, shown on paper or as an electronic image on a phone or tablet. Photocopies aren't accepted.
- A surety bond conditioned for payment of up to $75,000 and filed with the DMV.
- A property bond backed by two individual sureties who own Nebraska real estate, also up to $75,000.
At registration, §60-387 requires proof, which can include a check of the state's insurance database.
What a no-proof conviction sets off
The DMV's No Proof of Insurance Conviction page explains the chain of events:
- Automatic suspension. A conviction for no proof suspends your operator's license.
- Three years of SR-22. You must file proof of financial responsibility, normally an SR-22 certificate for each vehicle registered to you, for three years from the citation date, regardless of where you live.
- A reinstatement fee. $50, plus a $3 fee if paid online.
Two details can save you trouble. No-proof citations are written to the vehicle's owner, so the DMV tells drivers who didn't own the car not to plead guilty. And if the car was insured when you were ticketed, your insurer can send the DMV a signed letter of verification on letterhead, which the DMV uses to address the suspension.
Fault in Nebraska
Nebraska is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence. Under §25-21,185.09, your recovery shrinks by your share of negligence, and you're barred completely if your negligence equals or exceeds the total negligence of those you're claiming against. A 50/50 split means no recovery. Juries must be instructed on how their allocation affects the outcome.
Is the minimum enough?
For most Nebraska households, probably not:
- $25,000 of property damage may fall short when a new pickup or several vehicles are involved.
- UM and UIM at $25,000 per person may not cover a hospital stay. Ask for a quote with UM and UIM matched to your liability limits.
- Collision and comprehensive aren't required by the state, but a lender will require them on a financed car.
Bottom line
Nebraska's minimums include UM and UIM by law, proof must be in the car, and a no-proof conviction brings three years of SR-22 filings. Compare states with our car insurance minimums by state.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Nebraska?
25/50/25 liability plus $25,000/$50,000 of both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Can I reject uninsured motorist coverage in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska law requires both UM and UIM at $25,000/$50,000 on every policy for a vehicle garaged in the state.
Can I show proof of insurance on my phone in Nebraska?
Yes. The DMV accepts an electronic image of an insurance card on a phone or other device.
What happens after a no-proof-of-insurance conviction in Nebraska?
Your license is suspended. Reinstatement requires an SR-22 for three years from the citation and a $50 fee.
Is there an alternative to insurance in Nebraska?
A surety bond or property bond conditioned for payment of up to $75,000, filed with the DMV.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.