Like all Americans, Nebraskans love a good deal. With the economy still recovering and everyone working hard to make ends meet, auto insurance is a necessary but sometimes annoying expense. But what if you didn’t have to pay as much as you are for auto insurance in Nebraska? What if there were a way — or several ways — to bring your auto insurance premiums down? Well, there are — and we have a few you may not have heard of.
Auto Insurance in Nebraska
So how do Nebraskans measure up when it comes to auto insurance rates? As it turns out, at $1,589 yearly, the average yearly premium for car insurance in Nebraska is over the national average by about 4%. Not great, but far from terrible. However, actual rates can vary a lot between cities, insurance companies, and a wide variety of other factors. For example, in Omaha, you might pay as much as $1,805 in premiums, while in Lincoln, you might pay only $1,558 yearly. Similarly, if you choose Nationwide as your insurance carrier, you might come in well under the average and pay only $1,210 a year, while if you buy from State Farm, your premiums could run you up to $2,600 or more.
What Factors Influence Car Insurance Premiums in Nebraska?
As you can see, zip code and insurance company can make a lot of difference when it comes to determining your auto insurance premiums — but they’re far from the only factor! Here are just a few of the common factors that can influence how much you pay:
The type of car you drive. It’s not just a myth that your red sports car could cost a lot more to insure than a sensible station wagon. Flashy, high-performance cars are statistically much more prone to accidents, and as such tend to command much higher premiums.
Your driving history. One of the biggest factors affecting your premiums is your driving record. If you have a history of accidents, traffic violations, or (worst of all) DUI convictions, you can say goodbye to cheap Nebraska car insurance. Renata Belasco at The Zebra has some numbers on that point: a DUI conviction in Nebraska could rocket your premiums up to $3,278 a year.
Demographics. One factor that’s unfortunately out of your control is what demographic you land in. For instance, young single male drivers are statistically a much greater risk than average behind the wheel, and accordingly face higher premiums. For teenagers who haven’t yet reached the majority age, they’re even higher.
The weather. Nebraska’s weather conditions also play into how much you’ll end up paying in premiums. Snowstorms, hailstorms, and tornadoes can all cause significant damage to vehicles, resulting in expensive claims, which leads to higher premiums.
Nebraska’s Auto Insurance Requirements
Now let’s take a moment to talk about Nebraska law and auto insurance. The legal minimums required for car insurance in Nebraska are:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
If you’re thinking of cutting costs by going without car insurance, you should know it’s simply not worth it. Not only could you incur hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines and potentially see your license suspended or revoked, you could also potentially be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and liability if you happen to get in an accident.
Finding the Best Cheap Car Insurance in Nebraska
If you’re financially struggling, as so many American motorists are, what can you do to help bring those auto insurance premiums down? As it so happens, there are a number of ways.
First, shop around and compare quotes. There are lots of tools out there to get quotes from different insurance companies and find one that’s just right for you. As you’ve already seen, premiums can vary quite a bit between companies, so this is a good place to start.
Next, consider bundling your insurance policies together. Whether you own or rent, you can bundle your dwelling insurance with your auto insurance and get a discount, which can lead to big savings over the long term.
If you have enough money in the bank for it to be a viable option, consider raising your deductible. This is something of a gamble, as if you are in an accident you’ll have to pay more out of pocket for repairs or replacement — but a higher deductible means a lower annual premium.
Also, talk to your existing insurer about discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts for all sorts of criteria, such as discounts for good students, veterans, workers in certain professions (like healthcare and first responder), low mileage discounts, and more. A common practice these days is to have a telematics device in your car that sends driving data to your insurer, and driving safe can bring your rates down.
Finally, do your best to keep a clean driving record. One of the most reliable ways to keep your premiums from going up is to avoid accidents and traffic violations.
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