in addition to uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Without these coverages, you could face fines, having your license revoked, and massive financial liability following an accident.

Here to go over the uninsured motorist coverage requirements in Nebraska is the reliable

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Jerry

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Nebraska car insurance

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Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in Nebraska?

Yes. According to

Nebraska car insurance laws

, all drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage.

The

Insurance Information Institute (III)

reports that 9.3% of Nebraska drivers lack even minimum insurance coverage. While this is better than 68% of states, it still means there’s almost a 1 in 10 chance a car accident will involve an uninsured driver. That’s why it’s crucial to have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage—and not just in a legal sense.

If you get in an accident and the other driver is uninsured or has insufficient liability limits, your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage kicks in automatically to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers.

UM/UIM coverage is also pretty affordable to tack onto your policy. Most Nebraskans only pay $50 to $75 per year for this coverage.

MORE:

How police catch uninsured drivers

How uninsured motorist insurance works in Nebraska

Minimum insurance requirements in Nebraska mandate carrying at least $25,000 of

uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

per person and $50,000 per accident. This covers up to $25,000 of costs related to injuries you sustain from an accident with an uninsured driver—but your insurance won’t cover more than $50,000 per accident unless you purchase additional coverage.

What it covers

Ideally, the other person’s

bodily injury liability

will cover your injury-related expenses, but if the other driver isn’t insured, your UM/UIM coverage kicks in. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage includes anything related to physical damage from the accident, including:

Medical bills

Funeral expenses

Lost wages

Emotional damage

How to make a claim

No matter how big or small, it’s vital to record evidence of the accident and exchange information with the other driver after a car accident. This will include driver’s license information, contact details, and insurance information. If you discover that the other driver isn’t insured and that you or one of your passengers has been injured, it’s time to file an UM/UIM claim.

Typically, filing an UM/UIM claim will be pretty straightforward. Contact your insurance provider as soon as you can to recount the situation. If you or your passengers need immediate medical treatment, give the healthcare provider your car insurance information, and they will contact your insurance company. From there, your car insurance company will directly handle the medical expenses with the hospital. If you happen to get a bill in the mail, forward it to your claims adjuster.

Nebraska does have another option coverage called

medical payments or Medpay

. If you have it as part of your insurance policy, payments for your medical expenses will come from this coverage first. Medpay typically has lower coverage limits; once it is exhausted, UM/UIM will take over any overages. Your health insurance should cover medical expenses that go beyond your UM/UIM limits.

MORE:

Here’s what happens if you’re in a car accident without insurance

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Why uninsured motorist insurance is important to have in Nebraska

Uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in Nebraska—and there are a few good reasons for that. Here’s why UM coverage is essential in the Cornhusker State.

Nebraska has expensive healthcare

Out of all U.S. states, Nebraska

ranks number six

when it comes to states with the highest healthcare costs. According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), 33.47% of crashes in 2020 resulted in some type of injury. With more costly healthcare premiums than in nearly every other state, it’s extra important to have UM coverage to handle your medical bills after a collision.

Nearly 1 in 10 drivers in Nebraska is uninsured

With 9.3% of Nebraska motorists driving around without any kind of insurance, it’s too great of a risk to not have uninsured motorist coverage—for more than just the fine you’ll have to pay without it!

High risk of property damage

According to NDOT, 61% of collisions in 2020 involved two vehicles, meaning the likelihood of your vehicle sustaining damage in a collision is pretty high. In Nebraska, only UM bodily injury coverage is required. If you want your vehicle’s repairs to be covered after an accident with an uninsured driver, you’ll need to add on

collision coverage

MORE:

Car inspection in Nebraska

How to save on uninsured motorist coverage in Nebraska

The extra cost is one of the only reasons a driver wouldn’t want to add uninsured motorist coverage to their Nebraska car insurance policy. UM coverage typically costs between $50 to $75 per year, this might feel out of reach if you’re on a strict budget. If you want extra protection without the high expenses,

Jerry

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Jerry is your best bet for finding the cheapest coverage—and it only takes a few minutes. Just download the

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The best part? Signing up for a new policy you found with Jerry can lead to an average of $800+ in yearly savings!