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Nebraska Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The State of Nebraska requires motorcycle owner to have some form of financial responsibility, whether via insurance, a bond or self insurance. Whether you ride for pleasure or use your bike to commute during good weather, you must have some type of coverage in the event you get into an accident.

Maintaining Financial Responsibility

  • You can maintain financial responsibility in one of several ways:
  • Purchase a liability vehicle insurance policy at the state minimums discussed below.
  • Self insurance: If you choose to self insure, you must have a minimum of 26 vehicles registered in your name, so dealerships are usually the only entities that self insure.
  • You can also make a cash deposit of $75,000 to the State Treasurer or obtain a surety bond from a company that is authorized to operate in the State of Nebraska.
  • Alternatively, you can purchase a bond with two individual sureties who own real estate in Nebraska. These options are usually too expensive for the average rider; and most elect to purchase motorcycle insurance

Nebraska Minimum Insurance Requirements

Should you choose to purchase a motorcycle insurance policy instead of self insuring, making a deposit or purchasing a bond, the state has minimum requirements. Generally, the minimum requirements are not enough to cover an accident. Depending on your financial situation and the type of bike you ride, you may want to consider increasing the amounts.

When you purchase motorcycle insurance, you must purchase a policy that provides at least $25,000 for the injury of one person per accident, $50,000 for the injury of two or more people for any one accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Uninsured motorist of $25,000/$50,000 is also required.

Penalties for Not Maintaining Financial Responsibility

If you are stopped or get in an accident and cannot show proof of insurance or another method of financial responsibility, you could wind up with a $500 fine. Be sure you carry your insurance card or other proof of financial liability with you at all times. You may also get your license and/or registration suspended. In order reinstate your license and/or registration, you must file a form SR-22 with the Department of Motor Vehicles. This will also increase your insurance premiums.

Safety Requirements

The State of Nebraska requires that all riders and passengers wear helmets. It does not provide any restrictions as to helmet speakers, but you should be sure you can hear traffic through the speakers/ear pieces. Eye protection is not required, though all riders and passengers should wear eye protection to keep debris out of your eyes. If you get dirt, dust, bugs or a pebble in your eye, you could lose control of the bike.

If you want to carry a passenger, the bike must have a passenger seat. It must also have foot pegs for the passenger. No mirrors are required, though it is recommended that you have at least one mirror to help you see motorists behind you. Motorists are notorious for saying “I didn’t see the bike” after a crash. If you can see the motorist, you can hopefully avoid an accident. Also, the handlebars on the bike cannot be over 15 inches above the seat.

Off Road Safety Requirements

When riding off road, helmets and eye protection are not required, though it is recommended that all riders and passengers wear both, especially when competing in events such as racing and jumping. Most event coordinators will require a helmet and eye protection even though state law does not require it.

You do not need a license to ride off road, and there are no age restrictions in the State of Nebraska for off-road riding. Registration is not required, but your bike should be titled, even if only to prove ownership should it decide to disappear.

Motorcycle Registration

Once you move to the State of Nebraska, you have 30 days to register your motorcycle. If you just purchased a new motorcycle from a dealership, the dealership will take care of registering the bike. If you purchase a bike from a private individual, you will need to take the bill of sale, title and fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get your bike registered.