Car Insurance in Kearney, Nebraska
Estimated full coverage in Kearney runs about $1,360 a year ($113/month) — ▲ +6% versus the Nebraska average, ranking 7th most expensive of the 8 Nebraska cities we cover.
Why car insurance in Kearney costs more than the Nebraska average
Insurers price by territory, and Kearney's numbers explain most of the gap. With 34,741 residents on 15.0 square miles, the city's density (2,310 people per square mile) is 6.7 times the density where the typical Nebraska resident lives (347). The average commute is 13.9 minutes (Nebraska: 19.2), and 81% of workers drive alone. Together these put our location factor at 1.06× the state baseline for liability and collision, and 1.06× for comprehensive once FEMA weather risk for Buffalo County is included.
| Factor | Kearney | Nebraska ref. | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population density | 2,310 / sq mi | 347 / sq mi | More vehicles per mile of road means more fender-benders and claims. |
| Average commute | 13.9 min | 19.2 min | Longer daily drives add exposure to crashes. |
| Commutes over 60 min | 3.7% | — | Long highway commutes raise mileage-based risk. |
| Drive alone to work | 80.8% | — | Share of workers commuting by car. |
| Public transit to work | 0.3% | — | Transit use lowers how much residents drive. |
| Work from home | 4.5% | — | Remote workers may qualify for low-mileage pricing. |
| Households without a car | 5.0% | — | Context for non-owner and occasional-driver policies. |
| Weather hazard score (FEMA) | 79.6 | 77.7 | Hail, wind, flood and hurricane exposure drive comprehensive claims. |
Car insurance cost by ZIP code in Kearney
Rates can change from one ZIP code to the next. Across 3 Kearney ZIP codes, our full-coverage estimate ranges from $1,200 in 68845 to $1,385 in 68849. Denser, longer-commute neighborhoods estimate higher. Click a column to sort.
| ZIP | Population | Density / sq mi | Commute | No car | Est. full / yr | vs. city |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68845 | 20,536 | 166 | 14.5 min | 4.2% | $1,200 | −12% |
| 68847 | 18,354 | 167 | 15.2 min | 5.4% | $1,205 | −11% |
| 68849 | 1,385 | 6,296 | 9.9 min | — | $1,385 | +2% |
Minimum car insurance in Kearney
Kearney drivers follow Nebraska's rules: at least 25/50/25 liability coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Nebraska is at-fault (tort). We estimate state-minimum coverage in Kearney at $425 a year, and $620 for 100/300/100 limits.
| Coverage | Required? | Minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Yes | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property damage liability | Yes | $25,000 | Damage you cause to other vehicles and property |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | No | — Nebraska does not require personal injury protection. | Your own medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault |
| Uninsured motorist (UM) | Yes | 25/50 Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of at least 25/50 is required. | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured motorist (UIM) | Yes | 25/50 Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage of at least 25/50 is required. | The gap when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | No | — Medical payments coverage is optional. | Medical bills for you and your passengers |
Risk factors that shape Kearney premiums
Accidents
Nebraska recorded 251 traffic deaths, or 1.15 per 100 million vehicle miles (U.S.: 1.19), in the latest full year of federal crash data. Local crash frequency is folded into our density and commute factors.
Vehicle theft
Nebraska's vehicle theft rate is 185 per 100,000 residents (U.S.: 197). The most-stolen vehicle in the state is the Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) (NICB). Theft losses are paid by comprehensive coverage.
Weather
FEMA rates Buffalo County as relatively high for hail, relatively low for inland flooding and relatively high for strong wind.
Traffic & commuting
3.7% of Kearney commuters spend an hour or more getting to work, and there are 1.89 vehicles per household. 4.5% work from home — worth mentioning to insurers that offer low-mileage pricing.
| Hazard | Risk rating | Score (0–100) | Insurance impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hail | 98.6 | Comprehensive (car); roof claims (home) | |
| Tornado | 72.0 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Hurricane | — | Comprehensive; wind/hurricane deductibles (home) | |
| Inland (river) flooding | 50.8 | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Coastal flooding | — | Comprehensive; home needs a separate flood policy | |
| Strong wind | 96.9 | Comprehensive; dwelling | |
| Winter weather | 70.0 | Collision (icy roads); frozen pipes (home) |
Scores are national percentiles of FEMA's county risk (higher means more expected loss than most other U.S. counties).
Estimated car insurance in Kearney by driver profile
A clean-record driver in their 50s pays the least in our Kearney model (about $1,250 for full coverage); an 18-year-old on their own policy pays about $3,740, and a DUI pushes a 30-something to $2,515.
| Driver | Minimum | Standard | Full coverage | Full / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $1,170 | $1,700 | $3,740 | $312 |
| Young adult (22) | $680 | $990 | $2,175 | $181 |
| Adult in their 30s | $425 | $620 | $1,360 | $113 |
| Adult in their 50s | $390 | $570 | $1,250 | $104 |
| Senior (72) | $475 | $690 | $1,525 | $127 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $620 | $895 | $1,970 | $164 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $790 | $1,145 | $2,515 | $210 |
Minimum vs. standard vs. full coverage in Kearney
| Coverage level | What it includes | Per year | Per month | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum liability | Only the liability (and PIP/UM where required) limits your state mandates. No coverage for your own car. | $425 | $36 | $350–$505 |
| Standard liability (100/300/100) | Higher liability limits plus uninsured motorist coverage. Still no coverage for damage to your own car. | $620 | $51 | $505–$730 |
| Full coverage | Standard liability plus collision and comprehensive, typically required on a financed or leased car. | $1,360 | $113 | $1,115–$1,605 |
Estimate your premium in Kearney
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Cheap car insurance in Kearney: how to lower your rate
The cheapest policy is the one that fits your situation. These levers are priced with Kearney's own numbers:
| Change | Est. yearly savings | Good fit if… |
|---|---|---|
| Raise collision/comprehensive deductible from $500 to $1,000 | $105 | You have savings to cover a bigger out-of-pocket repair. |
| Low-mileage / usage-based pricing (under 7,500 mi) | $95 | You're among the 4.5% of Kearney workers who work from home, or you rarely drive. |
| Drop collision & comprehensive on an older car | $405 | The car is paid off and worth little more than a year of premiums. |
| Standard (100/300/100) instead of full coverage | $740 | No loan or lease requires physical-damage coverage. |
| Avoid one speeding ticket | $300 | Everyone — violations typically affect rates for three to five years. |
Also ask about bundling, good-student, paid-in-full and defensive-driving discounts, and re-shop at every renewal — the same driver can be priced very differently by different insurers. We don't recommend specific companies. Common car insurance discounts.
Comparing car insurance quotes in Kearney
- Use identical limits and deductibles on every quote — e.g. 100/300/100 liability with $1,000 deductibles — or prices aren't comparable.
- Get quotes from different channels: captive agents, independent agents who quote several insurers, and direct online insurers. There are 6 offices listed below.
- Check complaint records with the Nebraska Department of Insurance (complaint information) before you buy.
- Mention your ZIP code accurately — within Kearney, our estimates differ by up to $185 a year between neighborhoods.
Car insurance agents near Kearney, NE
We found 6 insurance offices within about 3 miles of central Kearney, from open map data. Hover over a listing to show it on the map, click it to open the address in Google Maps, or tap it on a phone to start navigation. We don't sell insurance, rate these offices or receive anything from them.
-
Kara Berks - State Farm
2715 2nd Ave, Ste C, Kearney, NE 68847 -
Maira Tripp - American Family Insurance
202 W 30th St, Kearney, NE 68845 -
Cory Kruse - State Farm
3320 2nd Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847 -
Kevin Kennedy - Allstate
3423 2nd Ave, Ste 4, Kearney, NE 68847 -
Nolan Spady Agency LLC
124 W 46th St, Ste 102, Kearney, NE 68847 -
Barney Insurance
5205 2nd Avenue, Kearney, NE 68845
Map © Google. Office list: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0) - https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright; All The Places (alltheplaces.xyz), data released under the CC-0 waiver; run 2026-09-19-13-32-18. OSM license. Listings are informational and may be out of date.
Insurance cost of popular cars in Kearney
| Model | Segment | Est. full coverage / yr | vs. average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Small SUV | $1,015 | −25% |
| Subaru Outback | Wagon | $1,030 | −24% |
| Tesla Model 3 | Midsize car | $1,410 | +4% |
| Subaru Forester | Small SUV | $1,010 | −26% |
| Honda Civic | Compact car | $1,510 | +11% |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact car | $1,420 | +4% |
| Jeep Wrangler | Midsize SUV | $1,070 | −21% |
| Mazda CX-5 | Small SUV | $1,130 | −17% |
| MINI Cooper | Subcompact car | $1,020 | −25% |
| Tesla Model Y | Midsize SUV | $1,270 | −7% |
Car insurance in nearby Nebraska cities
- Grand Island $1,385/yr · 41 mi
- Norfolk $1,315/yr · 126 mi
- Lincoln $1,435/yr · 126 mi
- Fremont $1,400/yr · 144 mi
- Papillion $1,460/yr · 160 mi
- Omaha $1,465/yr · 163 mi
- Bellevue $1,460/yr · 167 mi
All Nebraska cities and state rules · Homeowners insurance in Kearney
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Kearney, NE?
We estimate full coverage in Kearney at about $1,360 a year ($113 a month) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record, and about $425 for Nebraska's minimum liability coverage. Real quotes vary by insurer, driver and vehicle.
Why is car insurance in Kearney more expensive than the Nebraska average?
Our Kearney estimate is 6% higher than the statewide figure. The model reflects a population density of 2,310 people per square mile (the typical Nebraska resident lives at about 347) and an average commute of 13.9 minutes versus 19.2 statewide. Denser traffic and longer drives mean more claims, which insurers price into local rates.
What car insurance is required in Kearney?
Drivers in Kearney follow Nebraska law: at least 25/50/25 liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage.
Which ZIP code in Kearney has the cheapest car insurance?
Among Kearney's 3 ZIP codes, 68845 has the lowest estimate (about $1,200 a year for full coverage) and 68849 the highest (about $1,385), mainly because of differences in density and commute times.
How much is car insurance for a teenager in Kearney?
An 18-year-old with their own full-coverage policy would pay around $3,740 a year in Kearney by our estimate ($1,170 for minimum coverage). Adding a teen to a parent's policy is usually cheaper.
Does weather affect car insurance in Kearney?
Yes. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Buffalo County for hail (relatively high) risk. Weather mainly affects the comprehensive part of a policy, which pays for hail, flood and wind damage.
Are there car insurance agents near me in Kearney?
We list 6 insurance offices in and around Kearney, with addresses, phone numbers where published, and directions. We don't sell insurance or rank these offices.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: Importance of Auto Insurance and Types of Coverage
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-6408 (uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required)
- Nebraska DMV: SR-22 for Revocations/Suspensions
- Nebraska DMV: Insurance Requirements (Proof of Financial Responsibility)
- Nebraska Department of Insurance: File a Complaint
- NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report
- NAIC Homeowners Insurance Report: Data for 2023
- Insurance Research Council uninsured motorist estimates (via Triple-I)
- IIHS Fatality Facts: state by state
- FBI Crime Data Explorer: Crime in the United States 2025 (Table 4)
- NICB 2022 Vehicle Theft Data: top 10 stolen vehicles by state
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table DL-1C (licensed drivers)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1 (registrations)
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, Table VM-2 (vehicle-miles traveled)
- U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 population estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (Kearney and ZIP code tabulation areas)
- U.S. Census Bureau population estimates and Gazetteer files
- FEMA National Risk Index (county hazard ratings)
- Insurance office locations: OpenStreetMap contributors and All The Places