Nebraska Daycare Insurance

Last updated: September 13, 2026

Nebraska requires licensed childcare applicants to show at least $100,000 per occurrence in liability coverage. Compare that minimum with your program’s actual exposures, contract requirements and the exclusions in each insurance quote.

Nebraska daycare liability minimum: $100,000 per occurrence

Nebraska Revised Statute 71-1911.03 requires written proof of liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence before a license is issued. Coverage must apply during operating hours when a child is in the licensee’s care, and the required coverage must be maintained whenever a child is in care.

The DHHS licensing application guidance identifies liability coverage across the five licensed categories: Family Child Care Home I, Family Child Care Home II, Child Care Center, School-Age-Only Center and Preschool. Give the insurer your specific category, operator name and licensed capacity so its evidence matches the application.

The statute’s self-insurance, risk-retention and risk-pool alternatives apply to the State of Nebraska or its political subdivisions. A private provider should not assume that savings or a statement of financial responsibility can replace the required policy. Ask the licensor to confirm acceptable proof before scheduling the opening.

How much liability coverage should you buy above the minimum?

The $100,000 requirement is a legal floor, not a finding that this amount will cover every loss. Send the provider any lease, school agreement or other contract requiring higher limits. Ask for comparable options at the minimum and at higher limits, with the same covered activities and deductible, so you can see the cost difference.

Review the per-occurrence limit and any aggregate or separate abuse-related limit. Ask how defense costs affect available protection. If considering an umbrella, have the agent identify the underlying policies it requires and the childcare exposures it excludes; do not assume it fills every gap in the base policy.

Coverage to compare for a Nebraska daycare or preschool

General liability, professional liability and abuse or molestation coverage answer different questions. Have the provider explain how the proposal handles a premises injury, a supervision allegation and a claim involving a staff member. Confirm that the services you offer are described and that the relevant people and locations are insured.

For a home, ask the residential insurer how business childcare affects its coverage and compare the proposed endorsement with a separate childcare policy. For a center or preschool, distinguish landlord-owned property from your furnishings, supplies and improvements. Ask which causes of loss and interruptions are covered before adding property or business-income protection.

How much does Nebraska daycare insurance cost?

There is no single premium for every daycare. As a broad reference, Insureon’s national human-and-social-services customer medians are $91/month for general liability, $135 for a business owner’s policy and $99 for professional liability, checked September 13, 2026. That sample is broader than daycare; these are not state daycare averages or Simply Business prices.

Use those figures only to understand separate budget categories. A business owner’s policy can bundle liability and property, so do not add every figure as though it were a required package. Request a childcare-specific proposal using your program type, child count and ages, payroll, transportation, claims history and required limits.

Compare the total annual premium, deductible, included activities and any separate abuse-coverage limit. Ask about installment charges, endorsements and the cost of changes during the year. Two prices are comparable only after the provider explains the differences in protection.

Request quotes using your actual license category and services. A school-age-only program should disclose holiday and summer operations, transport and off-site activities if offered. A preschool should describe its schedule and any extended care. Comparing these details consistently is more useful than assigning every Nebraska program the same estimated premium.

Workers’ compensation and employee coverage in Nebraska

The Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court’s employer guidance explains coverage for employees, including part-time workers, and the distinction between employees and independent contractors. Review the requirement before bringing on assistants; a contractor label does not by itself establish that a worker falls outside the law.

Give the agent your business structure, worker roles and payroll. Ask how owners and any claimed exemptions are treated. Keep this separate from the statutory childcare liability minimum: coverage for an employee’s work injury is a different purchasing question from liability for injury to a child or visitor.

Keep coverage and licensing evidence aligned through the year

Calendar policy renewal alongside licensing paperwork. Because required liability coverage must remain in place whenever children are in care, resolve cancellation notices or a replacement policy before a lapse. Do not assume reduced enrollment, a school break or a change in insurer removes the obligation while you continue caring for children.

Before adding transport, provide the insurer with vehicle ownership, driver and trip details. Ask about commercial auto or hired/non-owned exposures and coverage for the off-site activity itself. Update the agent before a capacity increase, move or additional location so the policy and evidence reflect the actual program.

Prepare your Nebraska daycare insurance quote

• Legal operator name, address, permit or certificate type and requested coverage date.
• Licensed capacity, actual enrollment, ages served, hours and all locations.
• Staff, volunteers, payroll and screening/supervision procedures.
• Transportation, field trips, water activities and other services offered.
• Existing policy, claim history and insurance requirements from leases or contracts.

Ask each provider to identify the named insured, covered activities, limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements. Confirm whether defense costs reduce any relevant limit and how claims must be reported. If a quote cannot cover an activity, resolve that gap rather than assuming a certificate will make the proposal acceptable.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nebraska’s daycare liability insurance minimum?

The statute requires at least $100,000 per occurrence, with written proof before licensing and coverage maintained whenever a child is in care. Higher limits may be needed for your contracts or selected protection; compare them separately from the legal minimum.

Can a private Nebraska daycare self-insure instead?

The alternatives in section 71-1911.03 apply to the state or its political subdivisions. A private provider should not treat personal savings or a financial statement as an equivalent to the required liability insurance. Confirm acceptable evidence with DHHS.

Does the minimum policy automatically cover abuse allegations?

Do not assume so. Ask the insurer to identify abuse or molestation coverage, exclusions, insured persons and any separate limit. Meeting a dollar minimum does not demonstrate that every childcare claim or activity is included.

What should I give the licensor after buying coverage?

Request the written insurance evidence DHHS requires and check the licensee’s name, premises, limits and effective dates. Keep the policy documents too. If replacing coverage, coordinate dates and updated evidence so children remain covered throughout the change.

Related guides

Daycare Insurance · Nebraska / Daycare

Requirements and source benchmarks checked September 13, 2026. Policy terms and availability depend on the insurer and your business.