Nebraska Car Insurance Requirements: Minimums, Fault Rules & Penalties
Nebraska requires both liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage, and its modified comparative fault rule draws a firm line at 50% — one of the stricter cutoffs among at-fault states. Here is what every Nebraska driver needs to know to stay legal and protected.
Minimum liability requirements
| Coverage | Minimum required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage per accident | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist BI per person | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist BI per accident | $50,000 |
Nebraska's 25/50/25 liability minimums must be paired with uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the matching 25/50 level. The uninsured motorist requirement exists because a meaningful share of drivers on the road carry no insurance, and your own coverage must be able to respond when that is the case.
As with any minimum, these limits define legal compliance rather than optimal protection. Medical costs from a serious accident can exceed $25,000 per person well before a case settles. Our coverage guide walks through how to decide whether higher limits or additional coverages fit your circumstances.
Fault system
Nebraska is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the accident is responsible for the injuries and property damage that result, and the injured party pursues recovery through that driver's liability insurance.
Nebraska uses a modified comparative fault standard with a 50% threshold. You may recover compensation from another party only if you were 50% or less responsible for the accident. Cross that line — meaning you bear more than half the fault — and you lose the right to recover from the other driver entirely. When recovery is permitted, the amount is reduced in proportion to your share of fault. A driver found 30% at fault, for example, recovers 70% of their damages.
The 50% cutoff is stricter than the 51% bar used in some neighboring states. That distinction matters in close calls where fault is genuinely shared, making thorough documentation at the scene all the more important.
SR-22 requirements
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurer files electronically with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), confirming you carry at least the state minimums. It functions as a monitoring tool for drivers who have demonstrated higher risk.
Nebraska mandates SR-22 filing after:
- DUI or DWI conviction
- Reckless driving conviction
- At-fault accident while driving without insurance
The filing must be maintained without interruption for three years. A lapse — whether from nonpayment, cancellation, or switching carriers without ensuring continuous coverage — can reset the period and trigger re-suspension. Because SR-22 status typically raises premiums, comparing rates across multiple insurers is important.
Penalties for driving without insurance
Nebraska verifies insurance compliance at traffic stops, accident scenes, and through its electronic verification system, which cross-references registration and insurance records.
First offense: Fine of $100–$1,000; driver's license suspended until the driver provides proof of current insurance; $125 reinstatement fee.
Second offense: License suspended for one year; additional compliance steps and fees required before reinstatement.
The reinstatement fee and suspension period can disrupt work and daily life far more than ongoing insurance premiums would. Repeat offenses also add the SR-22 requirement to the mix, raising future insurance costs. If budget is a concern, a liability-only policy covers Nebraska's mandatory requirements at the lowest possible premium and keeps you out of the penalty cycle entirely.