Driving without insurance in Nebraska

Like most states, Nebraska requires drivers to purchase certain types of car insurance in order to legally drive. The penalty for driving without insurance in Nebraska can include fees, suspension of your driver’s license, and jail time. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team has delved deep into the world of Nebraska auto regulations to help you understand the requirements for auto insurance in Nebraska.

Is driving without insurance illegal in Nebraska?

To comply with Nebraska state law, you must purchase automobile insurance for any vehicle you drive on public roads. Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in several penalties – including the loss of your license.

If you are driving without a license or insurance in Nebraska and are stopped by police officers, you will not be able to provide documents proving you have a license and insurance. In this case, the officer will likely issue you a citation that will immediately revoke your license and registration, and you will be liable for any state-mandated penalties.

Minimum insurance is required in Nebraska

Automobile liability insurance provides critical protection for drivers if they are involved in an accident and are responsible for injury to others or property damage. Nebraska requires drivers in the state to have at least the specified minimum liability insurance.

Nebraska car insurance laws require the following:

• $25,000 per person for assault
• $50,000 per accident for personal injuries, i.e. for more than a single person
• $25,000 per accident for property damage

The average cost of minimum insurance in Nebraska is $513. This is less than the national average of $644. Comprehensive insurance, which includes optional collision and comprehensive coverage, can be purchased in Nebraska for an average price of $2,119, which is also below the national average of $2,314.

Because accidents can quickly exceed these limits, minimum coverage is unlikely to provide adequate financial protection for you and your family if you are at fault in a serious accident. Consider consulting with a licensed car insurance agent to discuss how much coverage you need before choosing the right Nebraska car insurance company for you.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Nebraska

If you are found not to be driving at least the minimum amount of insurance in Nebraska, you could face several penalties. In general, it is considered a misdemeanor to drive without insurance. However, if you have multiple criminal convictions or are driving without insurance after a serious accident that resulted in injury or death, you may be charged with a crime.

License suspension

Your driver’s license and driving license will be automatically revoked if you are convicted of not having proof of insurance. However, this only applies if you own the car you were driving. If you are not the owner, you must explain this to the court and plead innocent. If you are insured but did not have proof of insurance with you at the time of the inspection, bring your proof to the court within ten days of receiving the ticket. Your charge should then be dismissed and there will be no cost to reinstate your license and registration.

fees

Once your license is revoked, you will be required to pay a $50 fee payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles to reinstate your license. However, fees may not be the only financial penalty. Insurers may charge more to drivers with a history of violations, and you may even be viewed by some as a high-risk driver, resulting in higher average rates than drivers with a clean record.

SR-22 requirements

You may also be required to provide the DMV with an SR-22 certificate after being convicted of no insurance. You must ask your insurer to submit this form for you. Simply put, an SR-22 is proof of your financial responsibility and remains part of your driving record for three years from the date the ticket was issued.

Jail sentence

In Nebraska, it is also possible to receive a prison sentence for driving without insurance, especially if you have committed previous crimes or your actions resulted in an accident involving personal injury or property damage. Although a prison sentence is not mandatory for a first offense of driving without insurance, it may be imposed at the discretion of the court, particularly if aggravating factors are present. The prison term can also be extended for subsequent offenses.

Having an accident without insurance

Although being pulled over without insurance in Nebraska can result in penalties, there are more serious consequences if you are found to have no insurance after an accident, especially if you are at fault. Law enforcement will ask you for proof of insurance in the event of an accident. If you cannot provide this, you will receive a court date within ten days. If you do not provide proof of insurance by your court date, you may face some or all of the penalties listed above.

If you are uninsured after an accident that was your fault, you will also be liable for the costs of the accident, regardless of whether it involves property damage or personal injury. Even a minor accident can result in significant costs, and you will need to find a way to pay them out of pocket if you do not have a valid insurance policy.

An accident without insurance can be financially catastrophic. Drivers on a tight budget should also look for cheap car insurance that offers them sufficient protection in the event of an accident that they are at fault for. Finding the best car insurance for your needs may take some research, but you can often save on your insurance premium by shopping around and looking for discounts that will lower your premium rate.

Is Nebraska a no-fault state?

Nebraska is a fault or tort state rather than a no-fault state. What does that mean for you? Generally, no-fault states allow insurance companies to seek compensation from the person who caused the accident.

However, things get even more complicated. Nebraska follows modified comparative negligence standards, meaning the court can apportion responsibility for an accident among more than one party. Even if you are not insured, you are responsible for the costs imposed on you by the court, which determines what percentage of the accident was your fault. If you have valid insurance, this is likely covered by your policy.

frequently asked Questions

• • What happens if you provide incorrect insurance information?

    Driving without insurance is illegal in Nebraska. If you are caught, you could face fines, loss of your driver’s license, and other consequences. However, the penalties for lying about having insurance and providing false information to a police officer are even harsher, including higher fines and possible prison time.

  • Should I report all accidents to my car insurance company?

    The decision whether to file a claim for compensation depends largely on the severity of the accident. For example, you may file a claim if it means you are unable to pay for damage to your vehicle or personal injury out of pocket. However, you can refrain from filing a report if no other people or vehicles are involved or if the damage is extremely minor.

  • How long do you have to register a car in Nebraska?

    Nebraska law requires you to register and pay all car sales taxes within 30 days of purchasing the car. Fees and taxes may depend on your county. That’s why the Nebraska DMV offers a car tax estimator to help you get a feel for what you owe. You will also be required to pay registration fees totaling $24.60. Failure to register your car will result in a penalty for driving without registration in Nebraska. You may have to pay a $25 fine and other penalties.

  • Is driving without a license illegal in Nebraska?

    Driving without a license is illegal in Nebraska, as in most other parts of the United States. A first conviction is a misdemeanor and will result in fines and possible driver’s license suspension. Subsequent violations can result in harsher penalties, especially if other factors come into play – for example, if you drive without insurance and get into an at-fault accident. You could then face higher fines, jail time and having your vehicle confiscated.