Major Requirements for Car Insurance in Nebraska

In order to comply with the auto insurance laws of Nebraska all motorists must have minimum liability insurance. A failure to observe this state law will result in the immediate suspension of the offending motorist's license.

The minimum liability coverage comprises cost for bodily injury per person, per accident and per property damage. The Nebraska auto insurance coverage scale below indicates the basic level coverage requirement for operating a motor vehicle in the state.

Bodily Injury liability: $25,000/$50,000

Property damage liability: $25,000

Medical coverage : Not required

Uninsured motorist / Underinsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000/$50,000

Collision deductible: Not required

Comprehensive deductible: Not required

The basic car insurance requirements for the state of Nebraska serve to give some protection and compensation to individuals who may be hurt by a motor vehicle operator. They also give the vehicle owner some level of protection so that he will not have to pay all the associated costs from his pocket.

The Importance of Added Auto Insurance in Nebraska

The coverage that is offered by Nebraska's car insurance requirements is very minimal and can be depleted with just a minor accident. Without added protection the car owner faces the possibility of paying the excess cost from his pocket. Medical bills and property damage resulting from an accident are only two of the issues that a motorist may have to deal with. There is also the issue of motor vehicle theft.

Motorists are advised to gain added coverage by purchasing a collision and comprehensive insurance. This gives added protection for the basic factors already covered by the state's minimum coverage requirement, plus added factors such as motor vehicle theft. Theft is a reality that car owners have to deal with. With collision and comprehensive insurance coverage the owner can put in a claim to receive money to replace his damaged or stolen car.

There are certain vehicles that thieves normally target. Below is a list showing ten of the most stolen cars in Nebraska.

1. 1989 Chevrolet C/K 1500

2. 1997 Ford F-150

3. 1994 Honda Accord

4. 2001 Dodge Ram 1500

5. 1994 Saturn L-Series

6. 2009 Toyota Camry

7. 1997 Honda Civic

8. 1996 Ford Explorer

9. 1997 Ford Taurus

10. 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Nebraska Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance companies in Nebraska use a particular formula for applying auto insurance ratings to create the premiums car owners will pay. This formula creates a variation in the premium rate charged by each company. The formula is developed using rating factors allowed by the state. These rating factors are used by the insurance company to determine how much each motorist will pay for his insurance. Drivers are evaluated, and those who show similar characteristics based on the rating factors are then classified. A rate is then established for each group based on the overall claims paid out to individuals in the group. Drivers who fall in the classified group that reflects higher losses will have to pay a higher rate. Factors that are used to determine the auto insurance rate each driver will pay are:

Age

Sex

Marital status

Location

Type of vehicle to be insured

The auto insurance regulator for the state of Nebraska is The Department of Insurance (DOI). [http://www.doi.ne.gov/] Motor vehicle owners have a number of options when it comes to selecting an insurance provider. They can conduct an online search to locate cheap car insurance in Nebraska then collect several auto insurance quotes to compare the rates being offered. The Department of Insurance provides online tools that make it easier for motorists to conduct their search, and also find relevant information on car insurance ratings in the state of Nebraska. It is best for car owners to use the tools provided by the state department to find authorized car insurance providers.

The department's 2010 auto rate guide showed the following sample ratings for a motorist insuring a four door 2009 Toyota Camry LE:

Bodily Injury $100,000/$300,000

Property damage $ 100,000

Medical coverage $5,000

Underinsured motorist 100,000/$300,000

Uninsured motorist 100,000/$300,000

Collision deductible $250

Comprehensive deductible $100

The quoted figures include comprehensive and collision coverages that makes up a large portion of the amount that would be paid to the motorist. If the collision and comprehensive coverage was removed, the amount to be paid out would become significantly less. The ratings would simply reflect the minimum requirements of the state (see section on Major Requirements for Car Insurance in Nebraska).

Car owners can find cheap auto insurance in Nebraska, but even then, there are factors they need to bear in mind. It is in their best interest to take measures to keep the cost of their auto insurance down. These measures include driving safely, maintaining a good driving record and using deductibles properly. Another factor to consider is the age of their vehicle. It may not be cost-effective to insure vehicles that are getting old. Car insurance providers use these details when putting together car insurance quotes for their clients and prospective clients in Nebraska. The state's present car insurance rate is $1,170, which is less than the national average rate which is $1,440.

Road Conditions and Accidents in Nebraska

The condition of the road surface plays a major role in the number of accidents that occur in the state each year. For February 2012 a total of 1032 accidents occurred in the state of Nebraska due to wet road conditions. There were three fatalities and 307 injuries that resulted from these accidents.

Seat Belt Usage Laws in Nebraska

The seat belt laws of Nebraska stipulate that front-seat passengers and children between six and eighteen years old must wear a seat belt while traveling in a vehicle. Children under six years old must be properly secured in an approved baby car seat or booster seat.

Passengers in vehicles that are operated by a driver with a provisional operators permit or a school permit must wear their seat belts at all times. A failure to comply with this rule will result in a charge being applied to the driver of the vehicle. The reason for this stipulation is that this particular section of the seat belt law is a secondary law. The fine for this violation is $25.

Statistics show that the state of Nebraska's seat belt compliance rate decreased from 85 percent in 2009 to 84 percent in 2010, and remained at the same 84 percent in 2011. The states seatbelt campaign was dubbed as "Click It - Don't Risk It!" This campaign was launched in 2002 and resulted in an increase from a 69 percent compliance in that year to the 84 percent in 2011. The state's compliance target is 91 percent. The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) have reported a total of 11 motor vehicle fatalities for April of this year (2012). The department states that six of the seven occupants that were killed were not wearing their seat belts.

Motor vehicle accidents are a reality that society has to deal with. Insurance policies may cost, but the cost of medical bills or damage to property can be much more than the premium a motorist pays towards a policy for an entire year.