New Hampshire Car Insurance Requirements

Updated August 13th, 2018

New Hampshire car insurance

New Hampshire does not require auto insurance for all drivers. But if you have certain convictions, state law mandates that you have car insurance:

Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs.
Failing to stop and report when involved in an accident.
Homicide or assault arising out of the driving of a motor vehicle.
The second time for driving a vehicle at an excessive rate of speed.
The second time for driving a vehicle in a reckless manner and a violation of such other of the provisions of any state law relative to vehicles as the director shall determine.

In addition, if you cause a car accident, you can be required to show "proof of financial responsibility." This can be done by either:

Buying the minimum auto insurance in New Hampshire.
Or making a deposit with the state treasurer.

You can read New Hampshire's laws about accidents and financial responsibility at Justia.

Also, the lack of an insurance requirement for most drivers doesn't mean you aren't responsible for damage and medical bills if you cause an accident. That's why some New Hampshire drivers choose to buy auto insurance.

If you buy New Hampshire auto insurance, there's a domino effect. You have to buy three types of coverage: liability, MedPay and uninsured motorist coverage. Here's how it breaks down.

If you buy car insurance in New Hampshire, this is the minimum liability insurance:

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

This is often written as 25/50/25.

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage:

If you buy auto liability insurance in New Hampshire you must also buy MedPay. This coverage pays for your car accident injuries no matter who was at fault. The minimum MedPay coverage amount is $1,000.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:

If you buy New Hampshire auto insurance it must include UM/UIM coverage. These pay for your injuries from a driver with no liability insurance or not enough. It also covers injuries from a hit and run. The coverage limits must equal your bodily injury liability limits. For example, if you have 100/300 in liability, your UM limits will be 100/300.

Optional insurance

For damage to your own car: Liability coverage won't pay for any damage to your own vehicle. For that, there's comprehensive and collision coverage. These cover damage from crashing into another car, hitting an animal, vandalism, falling objects, explosions, hail, flood and fire. Comprehensive insurance also covers car theft. You're probably required to have them if you have a car loan or lease.

If your car needs accident repairs: Rental reimbursement pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired due to an accident.

Consumer complaints about auto insurance companies

The department of insurance in each state handles complaints against insurance companies. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners uses state data to calculate a national "complaint ratio." This number is meant to show the number of complaints against a company relative to the insurer's size of business.

Updated Aug. 13, 2018

Compare car insurance rates

Motorcycle insurance

Auto insurance discounts