Nebraska

Nebraska is known for its college football (Go Cornhuskers!) And that’s a good place to start because football and driving are similar: they’re both entertaining, they’re both fundamental parts of American culture, and both may involve collisions.

However, while collisions can be fun in football, they’re definitely not fun when driving. Alas, they do happen, so you need protection. Pads and helmets won’t do, though. What you need is some quality car insurance.

That’s where we come in. We’re here to give you some key information that will help you make an informed, smart decision about which car insurance premiums to select. We know it can be tough to choose, so it’s our mission to make it easier for you.

Keep reading to learn car insurance facts, laws, statistics, and other information about driving in the Cornhusker State. And make sure to compare car insurance rates by using our free tool above!

What are Nebraska auto insurance coverage and rates?

It’s important to know as much as you can about a state’s different types of car insurance premiums. It’s equally important to be familiar with the costs of these types of coverage.

After reading about the different types of insurance coverage and their rates, you’ll be able to select the best option for your needs within your price range.

Let’s dive into the car culture of Nebraska. The typical Nebraskan car is affordable and functional. This is a fitting standard, as it represents the Midwest’s practical values.

But Nebraskans also like to indulge in some more luxurious vehicles, too. The Chevrolet Suburban sells at 260 percent of the national average, and the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 both sell at twice the national average.

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What are Nebraska minimum coverage requirements?

Though there are many types of insurance coverage in Nebraska, there are certain requirements for minimum coverage that all drivers must have. Nebraska follows a 25/50/25 rule.

That means you must have:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $25,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle

Having liability insurance is the law. If you don’t have it, you could be charged with a Class II misdemeanor. Nebraska also has a non-resident service of process law and does not have a guest suit law.

It’s also important to know that Nebraska allows people to use an electronic copy of their insurance card during a traffic stop.

What are acceptable forms of financial responsibility?

Additionally, you must have proof of financial responsibility with you when you drive. Nebraska accepts the following forms of financial responsibility:

• Certificate of Insurance – picture of a current insurance card or pdf file of coverage on a phone, tablet, or another electronic device.
• Bond – The bond must be conditioned for the payment of up to $75,000, and it must be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall not be cancelable except after 10 days written notice to the Department.
• Property Bond – Such bond shall constitute a lien in favor of the state upon the real estate up to $75,000.
• Certificate of Deposit – A certificate of deposit or money issued by the State Treasurer after a person deposits $75,000 in cash or securities into the custody of the State Treasurer’s office.
• Certificate of Self-Insurance – A minimum of 26 vehicles registered in the state is required to qualify.

How much are premiums as a percentage of income?

When thinking about how much you’re going to pay for coverage, it’s worth looking at what percentage of their income people generally devote to car insurance.

If you look at this three-year trend that illustrates Nebraska’s premiums as a percentage of income, you’ll see that in 2012, people who had a disposable income of $41,599 spent $751.18 on full coverage car insurance, which is 1.81 percent of their income. In 2013, Nebraska drivers spent slightly more of their income on their premiums at 1.88 percent, then in 2014, the percentage dipped a bit to 1.86 percent.

If you look at the data, the year that Nebraska drivers spent the highest percentage of their incomes on their premiums was 2013, and they spent the lowest percentage of their income on premiums in 2012.

It’s also worth noting how Nebraska compares to the surrounding states. In 2014, South Dakota’s average percentage of income spent on insurance was 1.78 percent, for Kansas it was 2.04 percent, for Colorado 2.15 percent, and Wyoming came in with the lowest at 1.69 percent.

If you compare the percentage of income spent on premiums by Nebraska drivers to the national average, you will see that in 2014, Nebraska’s average was .43 percent less than the national average of 2.29 percent. Good news for Nebraskans!

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How much is core coverage?

In Nebraska, there are three types of core coverage, each of which has a different cost. Liability insurance, the one you are legally required to have, has an average cost of $349.07 annually, compared to the national average of $516.39. The average cost of collision insurance in Nebraska is $223.50 annually, compared to the national average of $299.73.

The average cost of comprehensive insurance in Nebraska is $206.24 annually, and the national average is $138.87. And finally, the full coverage premium for Nebraska is $778.81, compared to the national average of $138.87.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that this data (from the NAIC) is based on the state minimum.

What additional coverage options are available?

Before starting this section, let’s define what loss ratios are so you can have an idea of what this data means.

A loss ratio shows how much a company spends on claims and how much they take in on premiums. For example, a loss ratio of “60” means a company spent $60 on claims for every $100 earned in premiums.

Thus, if a company has a loss ratio that’s closer to 100, more claims are paid, but this means the company is losing money. The ideal number for a loss ratio is somewhere between 60 and 70. Now, let’s check out the categories of loss ratios.

Personal Injury Protection is the first category. However, Nebraska’s information about Personal Injury Protection is not available on the NAIC’s website. If you want to learn more about Personal Injury Protection, click here.

Next, we have medical payments. Loss ratios for medical payments tell us how much money Nebraska insurance companies spend on medical costs for claims vs. how much money they made in premiums. Nebraska’s loss ratio for medical payments in 2015 was 83.31 out of 100, in 2014 it was 79.86, and in 2013 it was 81.53.

The final category for loss ratios is uninsured/underinsured. Loss ratios for uninsured/underinsured drivers tell us how much money Nebraska insurance companies spend on claims involving these kinds of drivers vs. how much money they take in on premiums. For this category, Nebraska’s loss ratio in 2015 was 75.55 out of 100, 77.22 in 2014, and 70.45 in 2013.

It’s important to know that these loss ratios for Nebraska’s Medical Payments and uninsured/underinsured are the combination of all Nebraska’s car insurance companies.

Fortunately, Nebraska drivers are not shirking their responsibilities when it comes to car insurance — the state ranks 46th in the United States when it comes to uninsured drivers, with only 6 percent of Nebraska drivers driving without coverage.

Nebraska has a loss ratio below 100, so insurance companies are making a profit. This is good for them and for you because if your insurer isn’t making money, they won’t be able to pay out your claim, should you need to file one.

What add-ons, endorsements, and riders are available?

If you’re a driver in Nebraska, it’s mandatory that you have liability insurance. And while some of the other types of insurance we’ve discussed in this article aren’t required, they can help you considerably. Here are some other types of coverage (add-ons) that aren’t required, but may save you a lot of money and hassle if you get into an accident.

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive

If you don’t drive that much, Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance is a great way to save money, as your premiums are based on your mileage.

Some states’ laws make it difficult to drive with pay-as-you-go insurance, but in Nebraska, it shouldn’t be an issue. In fact, if you have a seldom-used vehicle or rarely drive, this may be your best option.

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What are male vs. female rates?

Gender is a deciding factor in determining car insurance rates in Nebraska. In some states, this practice is illegal; however, in Nebraska, it is an important consideration for insurers.

According to this data, teen drivers are the most expensive to insure, especially male teen drivers. This is the case for most states.

Allstate has the highest insurance costs for this category, with a rate of $6,397.53 for male teenagers. The cheapest insurance rate is for a married person (man or woman) over 60 with State Farm.

You should also know that the Quadrant Data that’s provided is based on the actual purchased coverage by the state population. This data includes rates for high-risk drivers and drivers who choose to purchase more than their state minimum.

The drivers included also purchased other types of insurance, such as uninsured/underinsured insurance, PIP, and MedPay, that aren’t required by law.

Where are the cheapest rates by ZIP code?

Here are the cheapest rates by ZIP code in Nebraska. This information will allow you to see how much car insurance costs in your specific part of the state.

The cheapest ZIP code for car insurance is 68803, which is located in Grand Island. The company that is the cheapest overall is USAA, and the most expensive is Safeco. Next, let’s see which ZIP codes are the most expensive.

As you can see, the ZIP code with the most expensive insurance is 68111, which is located in Omaha, Nebraska.

Where are the cheapest rates by city?

Here are the cheapest insurance costs by city in Nebraska:

The cheapest city for car insurance in Nebraska is Grand Island ($3,154.76). The interesting fact to note is that all of the city averages fall between $3,000–$4000.

Surprisingly, Omaha is not the most expensive city for car insurance in Nebraska; it ranks fourth, with an average cost of $3,803.42. The most expensive city for car insurance in the state is Melbeta ($3,886.61), followed by Whiteclay ($3,861.11).

 

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What are the best Nebraska car insurance companies?

Car insurance has many different components, which makes buying the right coverage a difficult task. We understand this, and that’s why we want to make the process as easy as possible.

In this section, we’re going to show you some websites and data that will provide crucial information that will help you select your ideal car insurance.

In addition to showing you the car insurance companies with the highest rankings, we’ll show you the companies with the most complaints, as well as how each major car insurance provider factors in elements of your driving and lifestyle when they determine what to charge you.

The Largest Companies’ Financial Ratings

A.M. Best is a useful tool when you’re shopping for car insurance because they distill a lot of information into a single letter grade.

It’s also important that one has an idea of the numbers for each insurance company that A.M. Best uses to determine these grades.

This table provides that information. As you can see, the information that A.M. Best takes into account is a company’s direct premiums written, their loss ratio, and the market share percentage. We’ve already explained what a loss ratio is, so let’s dive into what direct premiums are and market share percentages.

Direct premiums written are the total premiums received before considering reinsurance ceded. These direct written premiums represent the growth of a company’s insurance business during a given period, so naturally, it’s an important part when determining an insurance company’s grade.

A market share represents the percentage of an industry, or a market’s total sales, that is earned by a particular company over a specified time period. So, once again, this makes sense when determining the grade of an insurance company because it shows the growth of business and increase in sales of a business.

Companies with the Best Ratings

Now let’s move forward to the ratings that J.D. Power Press Release gives us. They rank companies based on customer satisfaction using a 1,000 point scale.

As you can see, Shelter has the highest ranking at 858, which is pretty impressive.

The other large insurance companies in the Central region with quality ratings are Auto-Owners Insurance, Allstate, and Geico. It’s also worth noting that the average rating for companies in this region is 832, so any insurer on or around that number should be pretty good.

Companies with the Most Complaints in Nebraska

We’ve also included data from the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. This data shows the complaints against the 10 biggest insurance companies in the region.

Remember the following to help you read the table:

• A complaint index of one is average
• A complaint index of less than one is better than average
• A complaint index of greater than one is worse than average

Don’t rule out a company just because they have a high complaint index. You should also remember the customer satisfaction ratings, which show how well companies handle these complaints.

(Note: for the companies with dashes, there was no information. It does not mean that they were complaint-free.)

What are the cheapest companies in Nebraska?

Here are the cheapest companies in Nebraska:

The companies’ rates are being compared to the average rate in the state, which is $3,399.85.

Cheaper isn’t always better, but price is definitely something to take into consideration.

The most expensive of these companies is Safeco, and the least expensive is American Family. There is about a $4,000 difference between these two companies, and that’s pretty significant. Of course, there’s more information you’ll want to take into account when you’re choosing your car insurance company, and we’ll tell you all about it as we continue.

How much are commute rates by companies?

The table below shows you how the length of your commute affects your insurance premium at different companies.

This table shows us how companies can be affected in very different ways by commutes, even if the commutes are the same distances. As we can see, Liberty Mutual has a cost of $6,230.57 for a 10-mile commute and a 6,000 annual mileage.

For the same commute, American Family has a cost of $2,195.50. That’s a pretty substantial difference for the same amount of miles traveled.

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What are coverage level rates by companies?

It’s time to move on to the different coverage levels for each company. If you want high-level coverage in Nebraska, the best option is American Family Insurance, as their cost for it is $2,164.66.

It’s important to remember that while a low price is alluring, it isn’t always the most important aspect when shopping for car insurance. Other companies might have better value for “Low” or “Medium” coverage rates. The table below shows the different rates for “High,” “Medium,” and “Low” coverage for several major insurance companies.

According to this data, the most expensive company for each category is Liberty Mutual. The least expensive, on average, is American Family. If you look at this table, you can see that many companies only have a small price difference for each coverage type. So it may be more financially responsible to get higher coverage for certain companies.

What are credit history rates by companies?

Your credit history is a major factor when insurance companies determine how much you pay. Thus, it’s important to be familiar with how much insurance companies charge for various credit ratings.

For poor credit scores in Nebraska, the cheapest company is American Family, with a yearly average of $2,965.91. However, people have different credit scores, so here is a detailed table that has each type of credit score along with what the companies charge.

Experian states that the average credit score in Nebraska for 2019 is 723; this average falls in the  “good” range. This means that if you’re a Nebraskan looking for an insurance company that suits your credit rating, you’ll likely select a company that has a great price for the good range. The company that is most affordable for the good credit range is State Farm.

As you can see, State Farm and American Family both have cheap rates for good and average credit, but they both have high costs for those with poor credit.

Lastly, here is the average cost of insurance for each credit rating among all the insurance companies.

• Good: $2,711.88
• Fair: $6,313.97
• Poor: $4,331.37

What are driving record rates by companies?

Insurance companies will also typically consider your driving record when they determine how much your insurance will cost.

As you can see from this data, the cheapest companies are American Family and USAA. The most expensive insurance company based on driving records is Liberty Mutual.

For the most part, insurance companies charge more for a DUI than for a speeding ticket. However, there are some companies, like Progressive, that charge more for a speeding ticket than a DUI. Make sure to keep track of which marks you have on your driving record and compare those marks to the rates from each company to ensure you get the best possible deal on your insurance.

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What are the largest car insurance companies in Nebraska?

This table shows the 10 largest car insurance companies in Nebraska.

As you can see, State Farm and Progressive do the most business in the state of Nebraska, and the fact that these companies’ loss ratios are in the 65-70 range indicates they are in good financial health.

Number of Insurers by State

Nebraska has 34 domestic (in-state) insurance providers and 867 foreign (out-of-state) insurance providers. Use our tool below to start comparing rates.

What Nebraska laws do you need to know?

It’s time to educate you about Nebraska’s car insurance and driving laws because we know these subjects can be a bit difficult to understand. If you’re patient and keep reading, you’ll see how useful this information truly is.

Some other topics you’ll learn about are low-cost insurance, automobile insurance fraud, the statute of limitations in Nebraska, state-specific laws, and various other laws that all drivers should know about.

By the time you finish reading this, you’ll be super knowledgeable!

Keep reading for information about Nebraska’s most important laws.

How Nebraska Laws for Insurance are Determined

According to nebraskalegislature.gov, the Department of Insurance shall have general supervision, control, and regulation of insurance companies, associations, and societies and the business of insurance in Nebraska, including companies in process of organization.

The Director of Insurance shall be the chief administrative officer of the department, and the director and his or her authorized representative shall have the power and authority to do all things and to perform all acts the department is given the power and authority to do.

In other words, all insurance companies must be regulated and approved by the Department of Insurance, and the head of the department has the authority to dictate what happens with what happens with car insurance in Nebraska.

Windshield Coverage

Windshield replacements in Nebraska are pretty standard. However, sometimes your insurance company will require you to use a specific repair shop. There are no laws regarding OEM or afterparts. (The company that created the original windshield your car came with is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), while an aftermarket windshield is one made by another company.)

High-Risk Insurance

There are some instances in which Nebraskans must fill out an SR-22 form. This permits them to buy high-risk insurance. It is required if your license has been suspended or revoked as a result of a court conviction, a build-up of points, or some other administrative action.

If you fill out this form, it must be submitted for each vehicle registered in your name. If you don’t do this, you can be subject to an insurance cancellation.

If you need to get reinstated, the only form of proof of insurance that will be accepted by the DMV is an SR-22. Be smart: fill out an SR-22 as soon as possible to get your insurance and to avoid any complications.

Low-Cost Insurance

While Nebraska has a program for high-risk drivers, it does not have one for low-income drivers.

In fact, the only states that have a government-funded program that helps low-income families receive affordable car insurance are California, Hawaii, and New Jersey.

If you’re interested in reading further about low-cost insurance programs, click here.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Nebraska

In Nebraska, automobile insurance fraud is absolutely considered illegal. It is important to know exactly what automobile insurance fraud is, so you can be sure you are not accidentally breaking the law. Here are some examples:

• Installing Counterfeit Airbags
• Staged Accidents
• Agent Fraud
• Windshield Replacement Rip-offs
• Towing Scams
• Car Insurance Premium Evasion

It’s is also important to know the distinction between soft and hard automobile insurance fraud.

Soft automobile insurance fraud is also known as opportunistic fraud, and it occurs when people pad legitimate claims, list fewer employees than they have, or misrepresent the work they do to pay lower premiums for workers’ compensation.

Hard automobile insurance fraud occurs when someone intentionally fabricates claims or fakes an accident.

Avoid both of these because, as we’ve mentioned, they are highly illegal.

For more information, or to report fraud, contact the Nebraska Department of Insurance via their website or by phone at 402-471-2201.

Statute of Limitations

Nebraska has a statute of limitations in place for filing claims. A statute of limitations is the time you have to file and resolve a claim after an accident happens. The countdown for a statute of limitations in Nebraska happens the day the accident occurs, so it is wise to file a claim right away.

Nebraska has statutes of limitations for both personal injury and property damage claims. See the table below.

The above is a chart displaying the time limits for both personal injury and property damage.

State-Specific Laws

Nebraska requires all drivers to have car insurance so they can pay for costs if and when an accident occurs. And fortunately, drivers in Nebraska understand the importance of this, as the state is way below average (only 8% of Nebraska drivers don’t have insurance!) when it comes to the number of uninsured drivers.

However, just having car insurance isn’t enough. You need to have a physical copy of your insurance card with you at all times. This card is issued by your insurance provider.

If you choose to talk on your cell phone while driving in Nebraska, you will receive a $200 fine for the first offense and points on your license. This law applies to the use of any type of interactive wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle.

Nebraska has cracked down on seat belt laws for your safety, and you will receive a $25 fine if you violate state seatbelt laws.

A final law in Nebraska worth noting is that individuals under 21 accumulating six or more points on their license within one year are required to take a driver improvement course within three months. This ensures that young drivers can learn from their mistakes and prove that they are ready to share the road with more experienced drivers.

What are the vehicle licensing laws?

According to Nebraska law, every motor vehicle and trailer used on the highways and roads of Nebraska must be registered unless the vehicle falls under the specific category of Vehicles Exempt from Registration.

REAL ID

Nebraska is compliant with the REAL ID Act. A government-issued REAL ID is required to board all flights, domestic and international, and to enter any federal facility. If you’re not sure what this means, watch the video below.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

If you drive in Nebraska, you must always drive with car insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you will be subject to penalties, such as having your driver’s license and/or operating privileges automatically suspended. If your license and registration are suspended, you’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee of $50 for each. Your proof of insurance must also be on file for three years.

Teen Driver Laws

Nebraska teens are allowed to get their learner’s permit when they are 15. Once a teen has driven 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver’s education), and has held their learner’s permit for six months, they can get their license when they turn 16.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

Seniors must renew their licenses every five years; this law is the same for the general population, as well. If you’re getting your license renewed and you’re over 72, you have to pass a vision test, and your renewal may only be done in person.

New Residents

If you’re over 18 and moving to the Cornhusker State, you must take a vision test, and you may have to take a driving test, which is administered at the discretion of a driver licensing staff member. If you’re unable to surrender your out-of-state license, the written and driving tests will be required. A driving test may be waived if you present an expired driver’s license that is less than one year expired.

License Renewal Procedures

When your license expires (if you’re 21 or older, this will occur on your birthday in the fifth year after issuance), you can either file for a new one online or go to the DMV and do it in person. If you opt for the DMV, you must have the following:

• A data form
• One form of identification that includes name and date of birth, and two forms of proof of address (if your address has not previously been verified, or if you have moved)
• The appropriate license fees
• If applicable, you will also be required to meet DMV vision and medical requirements

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

California is the only state that has the “official” NOTS, but Nebraska also punishes irresponsible drivers by adding points to their licenses. Here’s how the system works for Nebraskans:

• Convictions remain on the motor vehicle operator’s driving record for five (5) years.
• Accumulating 12 points in a two (2) year time period (counting from the last date of violation) causes automatic revocation of the operator’s license under the Nebraska Point System.

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What are the rules of the road?

Let’s move along, shall we? Now, it’s time to check out some rules of the road for driving in Nebraska.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Nebraska is an at-fault state, which is also known as a “tort state.” This means that the driver who is at fault for an accident must pay a victim’s medical expenses. Additionally, the victim may pursue compensation for additional lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

In Nebraska, the driver, each front-seat occupant in the vehicle, and all children 6-18 years old must wear seat belts, and all seat belts that are worn must be properly adjusted and fastened.

The seat belt laws for children are primary offenses, meaning a police officer can pull you over just for violating this law. You must follow the seat belt laws in Nebraska, not only to avoid fines but to ensure the safety of everyone in your vehicle.

The current seat belt laws for adults were put into effect in January 1993, and they are not under primary enforcement, but if you are caught breaking a seat belt law, there is a $25 base fee for the first offense.

There are additional laws regarding children’s safety. These laws require children younger than two years old to be in a rear-facing child restraint until they outgrow the maximum allowable height or weight prescribed by the manufacturer.

If a child is 7 years old or younger, they must be in a child safety seat, which should be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle if it’s available. From the ages of 8-17, it is permissible for a child to use an adult’s seatbelt.

Lastly, if one commits an offense that involves a child’s safety belt, there is a $25 fine for the first offense.

In Nebraska, passengers may ride in a vehicle’s cargo area if they are over 18, or if they’re involved in a parade.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

In addition to seat belt laws, there are also keep right and move over laws in Nebraska. These laws require that you stay in the right lane if you’re driving more slowly than the traffic around you.

You’re also not allowed to pass on the right, except for under special circumstances.

Speed Limits

Like every state in the U.S., Nebraska has speed limits that you must follow. We’ve put them in this table to help you out.

Ridesharing

If you’re a person living in the 21st century, you’ve likely heard of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. If you want to start driving for one of these services in Nebraska, you must purchase insurance from one of the following companies:

• Farmers
• Geico
• State Farm
• USAA

You’ll still need to have the state minimum requirements for car insurance in Nebraska if you’re a rideshare driver, and your vehicle must be registered and undergo an inspection that proves it’s safe to drive.

Automation on the Road

While you may be familiar with ridesharing, you might not be entirely sure what automated driving is.

According to daimler.com, automation is the autonomous driving of a vehicle to a specific target in real traffic without the intervention of a human driver.

Essentially, it’s a self-driving car. Wow! We’re in the future.

And while the notion of a self-driving car is really cool, it’s also a bit daunting. There are also specific laws imposed by each state regarding self-driving cars. Nebraska lawmakers have passed legislation to allow the testing of self-driving cars in the future under certain circumstances, but this testing is not expected to take place in the very near future.

What are the safety laws?

It’s crucial that you follow safety laws related to driving no matter what state you live in, not only for your safety but for the safety of others, too. Keep reading to learn vital information about these laws.

DUI Laws

DUI laws are not something to be taken lightly. Driving under the influence often has tragic consequences. In Nebraska in 2017, there were 67 alcohol-related driving fatalities, making up 29.4 percent of all driving fatalities. Seven of these alcohol-related deaths involved people that were under the age of 21 (making up 17.1 percent of all fatalities for under-21-year-olds).

As you can see in the table below, your punishment worsens with each offense. This should incentivize you to never drive drunk. You can face fines, lose your license, and even hurt or kill someone.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

In Nebraska, there are no marijuana-specific laws related to impaired driving. Still, while Nebraska has decriminalized the use of marijuana, it is not legal in the state, so you can certainly face fines and possibly a license suspension if you use marijuana prior to driving.

Distracted Driving Laws

Nebraska has laws about cell phone use while driving in addition to laws about being under the influence of substances. Nebraska does not have a complete ban on handheld devices. However, if you have your learner’s permit, and/or you’re under 18, you cannot use your cell phone while driving.

While you are allowed to talk on your phone while driving if you’re over 18, you are not allowed to text under any circumstances while you drive.

How bad is vehicle theft in Nebraska?

We’d like to take the opportunity here to teach you a little more about safety on the road. In this section, we’ll talk about vehicle theft, road fatalities, DUIs, and many other topics that will help ensure your safety. Keep reading.

The following table shows you the top 10 cars that are stolen in Nebraska.

This table shows the type of car, its year, and the number of thefts that happened. As you can see, the 1996 full-size Chevrolet pickup is the most stolen car, with 196 thefts, and, of the cars stolen, the least stolen car is small-size Chevrolet pickup, with 43.

It’s also important to know that the city you live in affects how safe your vehicle is from theft. This information comes from an FBI report of vehicle thefts by city in Nebraska.

This table shows the counties with the most stolen cars in Nebraska. From this table, you can see that Bellevue is the county with most stolen cars with 153 stolen cars. York county has the least amount of stolen cars on this list, with nine.

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How many road fatalities occur in Nebraska?

These statistics are unpleasant, but it’s important to know them so you can drive as safely as possible.

Most Fatal Highway in Nebraska

Based on information from Geotab.com, the most dangerous highway in the state is I-80, with a total of 179 crashes and 235 fatalities.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

This table shows the fatal crashes by weather conditions and light conditions.

You may naturally drive with more caution when the roads are slick, but as you can see, the vast majority of fatal accidents happen during normal weather. Thus it’s important to exercise caution at all times while driving.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

This table shows the fatal crashes by county in Nebraska from 2013–2017.

If your county is very prone to fatal crashes, again, you’ll want to exercise extra caution.

It’s worth noting that Douglas County is the most populated county in Nebraska and that it has seen the most total fatalities in recent years. The county with the second-highest population, Lancaster County, also has a high fatality rate, and Sarpy (the third-highest) has a slightly lower fatality rate than the other two, but it is still high when compared with the other counties.

Conversely, Arthur County, the county with the smallest population, had zero fatalities from 2014–2018.

Traffic Fatalities

It’s worth noting that rural roads see more fatal accidents than urban roads, as you can see in the table below. This is likely because it takes emergency services longer to get to the scene of a rural accident, and then longer to get the victims to a hospital.

Fatalities by Person Type

Here’s how the fatalities break down by demographic:

As you can see, most fatalities involved people driving or riding in passenger cars. It’s also worth noting that the rate of pedestrian fatalities more than doubled from 2014-2018.

Fatalities by Crash Type

Here are the different types of vehicles involved and some of the biggest causes of the fatal crashes from these same years:

Speeding and roadway departures cause a lot of accidents, so make sure to always follow the speed limit and pay attention to avoid leaving your lane while driving.

Five-Year Trend For the Top 10 Counties

This table shows the 10 Nebraska counties with the highest fatality rates by year.

It’s also worth noting that we’re showing you this data as a five-year trend. This is because we want you to be able to follow the trajectory of the data so you can see the direction your county’s road safety is heading.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

Speeding is a serious offense, and these statistics should show you why.

As you can see, people die as a result of speeding every year in Nebraska. It’s absolutely critical that you follow the speed limit.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by County

As we’ve previously mentioned, there is never an excuse to drive under the influence of alcohol

Given the number of alcohol-related fatalities, it’s just not worth it to try to drive under the influence. Get a cab or call a rideshare.

Teen Drinking and Driving

In 2018, there were 230 underage DUI arrests for every one million people, which means Nebraska has the second-highest ranking for underage DUI arrests in the United States.

It is imperative that you speak with your kids about this issue. As you can see, it’s a major problem in Nebraska, and we all have to do our part to see that everyone stays safe on the road.

EMS Response Time

The table below shows the EMS response times for both rural and urban parts of Nebraska.

As previously mentioned, it takes EMS much longer to help people who have accidents in rural areas. The entire process from notification of the accident to arrival at the hospital takes almost twice as long as it does in an urban area.

What is the transportation situation like in Nebraska?

Let’s shift gears and talk about how people get around in the great state of Nebraska.

Car Ownership

According to DataUSA, around 40 percent of Nebraskans have two cars, 22 percent have three cars, and 17 percent of Nebraskans have one car. All of these figures are roughly in line with the national average.

Commute Time

DataUSA also states that the average commute time for Nebraska drivers is 17.6 minutes. This number is lower than the national average, which is 25.5 minutes. Another important statistic to note is that less than 1 percent of drivers have a super commute, which is a commute lasting longer than 90 minutes.

Commuter Transportation

The vast majority of Nebraskans drive alone when they go to work.

A mere 9.08 percent carpool and about 4.8 percent of the workforce works from home.

Traffic Congestion

Lastly, we have some very important info on traffic congestion in Nebraska’s most populated city, which is Omaha.

Inrix states that drivers spend 35 hours in traffic annually in Omaha, noting that the cost of congestion per driver is $494 per year. At the morning peak traffic times, commuters can expect to add an additional seven minutes to their trip sitting in traffic, and 10 minutes during the peak evening times.

Finally, Numbeo shows Omaha’s traffic index is 103.52, the time index is 19.98 minutes, and the inefficiency index is 76.35.

Make sure to learn as much about car insurance as possible so that you can get the best possible deal and the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Did we miss anything? What was most helpful to you? Let us know, and we’ll be happy to give you more info in the future! Also, we’ve made it easier for you to compare car insurance rates by providing you with this free tool below!