Is car insurance required in New Hampshire?

No, car insurance is not legally required in New Hampshire. However, more often than not, leasing companies will require that drivers have at least full coverage insurance.

Do you need car insurance to register a car in New Hampshire?

Since car insurance is not required in New Hampshire, you also do not need car insurance to register a car in the state.

What is “basic” car insurance in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, state laws say that drivers must fulfill motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements. The minimum liability limits for this are 25/50/25, meaning that you must be able to cover $25,000 in bodily injury per person, up to $50,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage.

Does insurance follow the car or driver in New Hampshire?

Car insurance in New Hampshire follows the car rather than the driver. This means that if you let someone else drive your car and they get into an accident, you can use your auto insurance to cover any costs. This includes coverage such as bodily injury liability and collision and comprehensive.

Can you get car insurance without a license in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, residents can purchase auto insurance even without a license. After all, drivers with vintage cars or those who own a car but are unable to drive themselves will still want to insure their car. However, insurance companies may flag you as high risk if you apply for insurance without a license.

Is New Hampshire a no-fault state and what does this mean?

No, New Hampshire is an at-fault state. This means if a driver gets into an accident, they are responsible for paying the costs associated with the accident.

Is PIP coverage required in New Hampshire?

No, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is not required in New Hampshire. This coverage helps pay for the driver and any of their passengers’ medical bills in case of an accident in the vehicle under a covered situation.

Does New Hampshire require uninsured motorist insurance?

New Hampshire car insurance laws do not require uninsured motorist insurance . This is an add-on coverage that typically covers you in case you get into an accident with an uninsured driver.

Does New Hampshire allow for diminished value compensation after an accident?

Yes, New Hampshire allows for diminished value compensation after an accident. The diminished value is the difference between the value of a car before and after a collision or accident.

How do car insurance requirements change after a DUI in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, a DUI will require drivers to get an SR-22 and <a href="https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/financial-responsibility/insurance.htm" target="_blank">file for proof of insurance</a> for a minimum of three (3) years.

What is a CARCO inspection and is it required?

During a CARCO inspection, photos are taken of the vehicle to provide evidence before being able to purchase physical damage coverage. In New Hampshire, CARCO inspections are not required.

New Hampshire Minimum Car Insurance Requirements, Penalties and Other Auto Insurance Laws

In New Hampshire, car insurance laws state that drivers must meet financial responsibility requirements if they cause an accident. The minimum liability limits for this are 25/50/25. This means you must be able to cover $25,000 in bodily injury per person, up to $50,000 per accident and $25,000 in property damage. Having the minimum coverage protects third parties in the event of an accident, but getting additional coverage and other add-ons can protect drivers themselves and their vehicles as well.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in New Hampshire
How Much Does Minimum Car Insurance Cost?
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in New Hampshire
FAQs

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in New Hampshire?

When it comes to how much car insurance you need in New Hampshire, the minimum requirements stipulate that every driver must have at least 25/50/25 in liability coverage, which means:

$25,000 in bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability

Note that in New Hampshire, not all drivers are legally required to have auto insurance. Drivers need only to be able to prove they have the means to be financially responsible in case of an accident. This means that no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and uninsured motorists (UM) coverage are not legally required.

What Does This Minimum Coverage Mean?

Having 25/50/25 in liability limits means having $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident with a $25,000 limit per person along with $25,000 in property damage liability.

Bodily injury coverage protects third parties if you are at fault in an accident and pays for their medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages as a result of not being able to work while recovering from injuries. Property damage coverage pays for damages made to someone else’s property, such as a vehicle or even the items inside it.

How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in New Hampshire?

The cost of car insurance in New Hampshire as well as any other state depends on a variety of factors. These can include the driver’s age, postal code, driving history, credit score and other factors. The least expensive car insurance in New Hampshire is USAA at an average of $204 per year, but note that this is only available for military families. The next cheapest and most widely available option is Amica Mutual, which offers an average annual premium of $304.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average New Hampshire driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

Car insurance costs by company in New Hampshire are based on the minimum coverage of 25/50/25 for a 40-year-old male residing in New Hampshire driving a 2010 Toyota Camry with a good driving record and credit score.

If you're instead looking for a policy that balances quality with affordability, MoneyGeek also ranked the top car insurance companies in New Hampshire.

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in New Hampshire While Leasing a Car?

Note that the minimum requirements for car insurance in New Hampshire required by the leasing company will likely differ from the mandates from the state. Most leasing companies often require that drivers get full coverage car insurance, with a minimum of 100/300/50 in limits. To determine your exact minimum coverage requirements, contact your financial leasing company.

How much insurance you should get will depend on a variety of factors, such as how much your car is worth, the assets in your car you want to protect and more. MoneyGeek recommends getting at least full coverage insurance with 50/100/50 limits in New Hampshire. Take note that 6.1% of the driver population in New Hampshire remains uninsured. If an uninsured driver hits you, you may not be covered unless you have full coverage insurance.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in New Hampshire

While New Hampshire does not require car insurance, uninsured drivers who get into an accident can still get penalties. This includes, but is not limited to:

License and registration suspension
License and registration revocation for repeat offenders
Driving privilege suspension
Restoration fees that can reach up to $100
Requirement of SR-22 insurance

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in New Hampshire

Learn More About Car Insurance

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

sources

CollisionClaims.com. "Utah Diminished Value." Accessed June 28, 2021.
New Hampshire Department of Safety. "Insurance Requirements/SR-22." Accessed June 26, 2021.
New Hampshire Department of Safety. "Fees and Fines." Accessed June 26, 2021.
Insurance Information Institute. "2020 Insurance Fact Book." Accessed June 26, 2021.
Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Compulsory Auto/Uninsured Motorists." Accessed June 26, 2021.
Kelley Blue Book. "Penalties for Driving without Car Insurance by State." Accessed June 28, 2021.
New Hampshire Department of Safety. "Insurance Requirements/SR-22." Accessed June 28, 2021.