Seward Car Insurance
Independent insurance agents can help you be sure that you aren't overpaying for this mandatory coverage.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Even the most careful drivers can sometimes get into accidents. That is why vehicle owners in Seward are required to have car insurance. A solid auto insurance policy can prevent you from experiencing large financial losses following a collision.
Shopping for car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These local insurance professionals can help you obtain and compare a variety of customized car insurance quotes. That way, you can be sure you are getting the coverage you need at a great price. Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Seward, NE?
The average cost of car insurance in Nebraska, and in Seward specifically, is lower than the national average. This is great news for Seward residents who are looking for an affordable policy.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Nebraska average annual car insurance cost: $1,086
- Seward average annual car insurance cost: $1,152
Of course, these average rates can only give you an estimate of what you might be expected to pay. Actual car insurance costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle you are insuring
- Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
- Details about the other licensed drivers in your household
- Whether you own or rent your home
- Your claims history and credit score
- The auto theft and accident rates in the vicinity of your home
- The coverage options and amount of coverage you are purchasing
- The size of your deductible
You can often get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as homeowners insurance or renters insurance. Contact an independent agent in Seward to learn more about this and other potential discounts for which you may qualify.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Nebraska?
When it comes to auto insurance, every state has its own minimum coverage requirements. In Nebraska, all car insurance policies must include:
- Liability insurance: This covers other people’s injuries and property damage if you are at fault for a collision.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance: This covers treatment of injuries for you and your passengers if you are hurt in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Nebraska requires your car insurance to include, at a minimum, the following amounts of coverage:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability insurance: $20,000 per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
Keep in mind that medical costs related to an accident in which someone is seriously hurt can easily exceed what a minimum coverage policy can pay for. If you are responsible for such an accident, you will need to pay for medical costs out of pocket once your coverage limits have been reached.
That is why many Seward drivers opt to purchase car insurance that has higher-than-required liability limits. Some residents of this city also purchase umbrella insurance to get even more liability coverage than their policy will allow.
A local insurance agent can help you find the liability coverage you want at a price you can afford.
What Else Can Seward Car Insurance Cover?
In addition to the mandatory liability coverage, your car insurance provider will offer several coverage options that you may want to include in your Seward auto insurance policy:
- Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, even if the accident was your fault. This coverage is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you are leasing it.
- Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled due to a non-collision event like a flood or a tornado. This coverage is also typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your vehicle and by dealerships if you are leasing it.
- Medical payments insurance: This covers medical treatment for you and your passengers if you are at fault for a collision.
- Towing & roadside assistance: This covers the cost of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are on the road, such as if you get a flat tire, run out of gas, or your engine overheats.
- Gap insurance: If your car is totaled, this can cover the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe for it. New cars can depreciate quickly, so this coverage may be necessary for the firstfew years of new vehicle ownership.
- Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired for damage caused by a covered event.
Talk to a local independent insurance agent for help determining which, if any, of these coverage options is a good fit for you.
Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important?
Driving without insurance in Nebraska is considered a Class II misdemeanor. Penalties for driving an uninsured vehicle can include:
- A fine of up to $100.
- The suspension of your driver’s license and registration until proof of insurance is provided.
- The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years.
- The need to pay a $50 license reinstatement fee and a $50 registration renewal fee.
Additionally, you may find that your insurance rates are increased because of the infraction. Despite these penalties, some people choose to illegally drive uninsured vehicles anyway.
- Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
- Percentage of Nebraska drivers who are uninsured: 6.8%
If you are in a collision that was caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for resultant damage and necessary medical treatment. However, this money can often be difficult to collect if you have to do it on your own.
Uninsured motorist insurance, which is required in Nebraska, was created to ensure that you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action against the at-fault driver. After compensating you, your insurance company will attempt to collect the money owed from the at-fault driver and will absorb the losses if unsuccessful.
Does Seward Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?
The auto theft rate in Nebraska is a bit higher than the national rate, but in Seward, the risk is much lower. Residents of this city report an average of about 5 vehicular thefts a year.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
- Nebraska auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.53
- Seward auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.97
Though the chances that your car will be stolen are very low, it is important to know that you can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers against more than just auto thefts. It can also reimburse you for repair costs related to non-collision events such as if a tree falls on your vehicle, or if your car is totaled in a flood or a garage fire.
If you are still paying for your car, chances are good you already have comprehensive insurance. If not, talk to a local independent agent to find out how much it will cost you to include this optional coverage in your Seward car insurance policy.
Why Let a Seward, NE Independent Insurance Agent Help You?
When you are looking for the best auto insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, look no further than a local independent insurance agent. These experienced agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at a price you can afford.
Contact an insurance agent near you to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.
https://dmv.Nebraska.gov/
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
https://www.city-data.com/city/Seward-Nebraska.html