Car Insurance Requirements in New Hampshire (2024)

True to its motto, “Live Free or Die,” New Hampshire is one of only two states in the country that doesn’t require drivers to carry car insurance. However, it does require everyone on the road to have the ability to pay for any damages if they’re at fault for an accident, whether through insurance or their own assets.^[1]

Even though New Hampshire doesn’t require car insurance, it’s still a good idea to carry it. Vehicle damages and medical bills can be extremely expensive, and car insurance provides a financial cushion if you get into an accident. If you plan to buy a policy, make sure to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies to find the best available coverage.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in New Hampshire

Find liability policies as low as $37 per month in the Granite State

Enter your ZIP codeView My Quotes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

New Hampshire car insurance requirements

New Hampshire is unique compared to other states because it doesn’t require auto insurance. If they choose not to have insurance, drivers must be able to prove they have the financial means to pay for any damages if they’re at fault for a car accident.^[1]

Drivers in New Hampshire can choose to show their financial responsibility by having sufficient funds to cover potential damages. However, that’s not realistic for many people. Therefore, New Hampshire drivers can also choose to purchase insurance to serve as their proof of financial responsibility.

If you choose to purchase car insurance in New Hampshire, your policy must include three types of coverage.

Liability coverage

As in other states, New Hampshire has a minimum liability insurance amount you must purchase if you do decide to carry insurance. New Hampshire requires two types of liability insurance: bodily injury coverage pays for other parties’ medical costs for injuries, while property damage liability pays for damage to other peoples’ property.^[1]

You’ll need the following minimums:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability

• $25,000 per accident of property damage liability

Medical payments coverage

If you decide to buy auto insurance in New Hampshire, your policy must include medical payments coverage of at least $1,000. This coverage pays for your medical expenses due to injuries you sustain in an accident, regardless of whether you or another driver is at fault.^[1]

Uninsured motorist coverage

Auto insurance policies in New Hampshire are also required to include uninsured motorist coverage. This coverage pays for medical bills for injuries you sustain in an accident in three specific situations:

• Injury in an accident where the at-fault driver is uninsured

• Injury in an accident where the at-fault driver has less coverage than you

• Injury in a hit-and-run accident where the at-fault driver can’t be identified

Uninsured motorist coverage in New Hampshire doesn’t pay for damages to your vehicle. Instead, collision coverage would pay for those damages if you have it. Otherwise, you’ll pay for your vehicle damage out of your own pocket.^[1]

Do you need more than the state-minimum coverage in New Hampshire?

No. If you choose to buy auto insurance in New Hampshire to comply with the state’s financial responsibility requirement, you must have at least the minimum bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage. But you won’t need to purchase any further coverage.

This minimum insurance may be suitable for drivers with low-value vehicles that wouldn’t be expensive to repair or replace after an accident. Additionally, someone may choose only liability coverage if they can afford to pay for other damages out of pocket.

The cost of liability-only car insurance in New Hampshire

Because of the state’s unique insurance requirements, New Hampshire drivers enjoy some of the lowest average premiums in the country. New Hampshire’s minimum coverage is the cheapest type of insurance policy you can buy in the state, with an average monthly premium of $65.

The cost of full-coverage car insurance in New Hampshire

Though there’s no set definition of full-coverage car insurance, it typically refers to any policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to liability insurance. However, it can also include any other optional coverage designed to protect you and your vehicle. 

The average cost of full-coverage insurance in New Hampshire is $135 per month.

Shop for Car Insurance in New Hampshire

Quote comparison is the key to saving on car insurance

Enter your ZIP codeGet My Quotes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

Penalties for driving without proof of insurance in New Hampshire

Drivers in New Hampshire don’t have to carry auto insurance but must have proof of financial responsibility. And for many drivers, the easiest proof of financial responsibility is insurance. If you fail to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements, you may be subject to various consequences.

First, if you’re at fault for an accident, you’ll be liable for any damages. Unfortunately, the court could order you to turn over certain assets to cover what you owe. Additionally, you may have your license suspended. Finally, the state may require you to provide proof of auto insurance for three years after the incident.^[2]

Optional car insurance coverages to consider

Drivers who choose to purchase insurance in New Hampshire will have to carry liability coverage, medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. However, you can add several other coverage types to your policy for additional protection, including:

• 

  Collision coverage

  Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.

• 

  Comprehensive coverage

  Comprehensive coverage pays for damages to your vehicle caused by something other than an accident, such as vehicle theft and damage from natural disasters or vandalism.

• 

  Roadside assistance coverage

  Roadside assistance coverage pays for roadside assistance costs. It can pay for expenses such as towing, tire changes, jump-starts, lock-outs, and more.

• 

  Rental reimbursement coverage

  Rental reimbursement coverage pays a percentage of your rental vehicle expenses when your vehicle is undrivable or in the repair shop. It typically only applies when your car is unusable because of a covered incident, such as an accident, not if it’s in the shop for general maintenance or repairs.

New Hampshire car insurance requirements FAQs