Every driver on Nebraska’s roads is required to carry a minimum level of auto insurance. These requirements exist to make sure that victims have at least some financial protection when a car accident occurs. However, many drivers are unaware of exactly how much coverage the state demands, as well as how quickly those minimum limits can be exhausted in a serious collision.
Learning about what the law requires is the first step toward protecting yourself on the road; we’ll cover what you should know in the sections to follow.
What Coverage Does Nebraska Require?
Nebraska law mandates that every registered vehicle carry liability insurance meeting specific minimum thresholds. These limits are commonly referred to as 25/50/25 and break down as follows:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability per accident
Nebraska also requires drivers to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The minimums for that protection are:
- $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
This additional coverage kicks in if you are struck by a driver who has no insurance or whose policy falls short of covering your full losses.
Why Carrying Only the Minimum Can Leave You Exposed
While meeting Nebraska’s requirements keeps you legal behind the wheel, it does not necessarily keep you financially safe. A serious car accident can produce medical bills and vehicle repair costs that blow past the 25/50/25 thresholds without much difficulty. When that happens, you could be left covering the difference out of pocket.
Nebraska is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash bears responsibility for the other party’s damages. If your liability limits are too low to cover the full scope of the injured person’s losses, they can file a lawsuit to recover the remaining amount. That could put your personal savings and other assets directly at risk.
Many insurance professionals suggest carrying at least 100/300/100 in liability coverage to give yourself a cushion in the event of a major accident.
Consequences of Driving Without Insurance in Nebraska
Operating a vehicle without the required insurance in Nebraska is against the law and carries real consequences. If you are caught without valid coverage, you could face:
- Fines that grow steeper with each repeat offense
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- Suspension of your vehicle registration
- A mandate to file an SR-22 form proving your financial responsibility going forward
Being uninsured also means you will have nothing to fall back on if you cause an accident. You would be personally on the hook for every dollar of the other party’s damages, with no policy to absorb any of the cost.
Contact Steffens Law Offices for Legal Help If You Have Been Involved in an Accident
If you were recently injured in a collision and have questions about what your policy covers and what compensation may be available, the Lincoln car accident attorneys at Steffens Law Offices can help. We provide free case evaluations and bring over 70 years of combined legal experience to every case we take on.
Contact us today by sending us a message online. We’re passionate about representing accident victims in our local community and are ready to go to bat for you immediately.