Gretna, NE Car Insurance

Shopping around for Nebraska car insurance is the first step to getting the best value for your money. There are a few details about buying car insurance that Gretna residents should know before they begin. 

Nebraska has laws about the amount and type of car insurance you must purchase. It's more complicated than simply purchasing the minimum required amount of coverage, though. Everyone's situation is different, so you may qualify for discounts or have special circumstances that you need to account for while shopping for auto insurance. 

When you work with a Gretna independent insurance agent, you'll get the benefit of their vast knowledge of the insurance industry. Find a Gretna agent today to get started. 

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Gretna, NE?

On average, Nebraska drivers pay less for auto insurance than drivers across the nation. While this is great news if you live in Gretna, you get quotes that don't line up with Nebraska's averages. 

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Nebraska average annual car insurance cost: $681

Many areas of Nebraska are sparsely populated. Drivers in Omaha and Lincoln should expect to pay more for insurance since their statistical likelihood of being in a car crash goes up with the higher population in these areas. Since Gretna isn't a large town, you may benefit from a lower population when it comes to car insurance premiums. There are many factors that go into calculating your auto insurance rates. 

How Can I Get Cheaper Car Insurance in NE?

Insurance companies may rate you based on your driving record, your credit score, whether you own your home, your age, your occupation, your marital status, your gender, and the value of the vehicle you drive. 

Increasing your deductible will lower your premiums, but you must have access to the cash to cover your deductible in case you are in a crash. If you don't have enough money in the bank to pay your deductible, you may not be able to afford to get your car fixed, even after a covered accident.

Bundling your home insurance or renters insurance with your car insurance policy could get you a discount across all your policies. Your agent can help you figure out the pros and cons of using a single insurance company for all of your policies. 

Don't settle for generic discounts that apply to nearly any driver. You may be eligible for discounts that you've never heard of. Your agent can help you choose a trustworthy insurer that offers the best possible rates, including discounts. 

What Kind of Car Insurance Should I Buy In Nebraska?

In Nebraska, you must carry liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Each of these policies protects you financially after a car accident. 

Your lender may require you to carry "full coverage" insurance that includes collision and comprehensive coverage, in addition to the state-mandated coverage. 

It's not easy to meet the requirements of several different entities, but your agent can walk you through the requirements and recommend any additional coverage that would be to your benefit. 

• Liability insurance (Required):  This covers other people’s injuries and damage if you cause an accident. Nebraska drivers pay an average of $364.64 per year for their liability coverage. Your policy must include:
  • Bodily injury liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. However, it's important to know that the average bodily injury liability insurance claim after a covered accident is $22,948. If you are at fault in a car accident, you are responsible for the other person's medical bills, which could easily exceed $30,000. 
  • Property damage liability coverage of at least $25,000 per accident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) (Optional): This pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, no matter who caused the accident. 
• Uninsured motorist insurance (Required): This pays for injuries and medical costs if you are in a collision with an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver. The average bodily injury claim after an accident with an uninsured or uninsured motorist in Nebraska is $37,505. 
• Collision insurance (Partially optional): This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive insurance (Partially optional): This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is lost or damaged in an incident other than a car accident, such as a fire, collision with an animal, or damage due to storms of falling objects. There are about 116,430 comprehensive insurance claims in Nebraska each year. 
• Roadside assistance and towing (Optional): This pays for necessary assistance if you get a flat tire or run out of gas.
• Rental reimbursement coverage (Optional): This pays for the cost of renting a replacement vehicle while repairs are being made to your car after a covered event.

The average property damage liability claim in Nebraska is $3,577. If you have concerns about whether you will have enough liability coverage with Nebraska's minimum requirements, your agent can help you decide whether to purchase an inexpensive umbrella policy. This coverage increases the liability insurance limits across all of your insurance policies. 

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Gretna?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Nebraska. If caught, uninsured drivers can face the following:

• Instant suspension of drivers license until proof of insurance is provided
• Instant removal of license plates from your vehicle by police officer initiating the stop
• SR-22 (high-risk) insurance required if caught driving without valid insurance that meets Nebraska's requirements

Even though there are stiff penalties for driving without insurance in Nebraska, there are plenty of people who get behind the wheel without first purchasing the minimum amount of required liability coverage. Luckily, there are fewer uninsured drivers on Nebraska roads than the national average. 

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13%
• Percentage of Nebraska drivers who are uninsured: 6.8%

There are a relatively low number of Nebraska drivers taking their chances behind the wheel without insurance, but getting into an accident with someone who is underinsured or uninsured can be a nightmare. You may have to take them to court to make them legally responsible to pay for your medical bills and property damage. Even then, having a low income or no money in the bank can make them "judgment proof," which means you'll never get the money you are owed. 

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage allows you to let your insurance company take care of your property damage and medical bills after a covered accident, even if it wasn't your fault. They can then handle the messy and expensive business of pursuing payment from the other driver.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Gretna?

The auto theft rate in Nebraska is higher than the national average.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.37%
• Nebraska auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.48%

If your car is stolen, you aren't insured unless you have comprehensive coverage. The risk is low in Gretna, but if it happens, you'll be glad to have this important coverage. Auto theft is rare, so you probably won't know what to do if it happens to you. Independent insurance agents are there for their clients even after they issue a policy, offering the ongoing support and guidance you need during this type of stressful event. 

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Gretna, NE?

Unlike the internet search engine bots big companies use to show you cheap car insurance rates, your agent works for you. They'll help you find every discount possible while choosing from dozens of top-rated insurers to choose the company that will stand by you if you ever need to make a claim. 

Make the call today and get started saving money on car insurance with help from a Gretna, NE, independent insurance agent.