4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
If you commit a serious traffic offense in New Hampshire, like driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving, you may need SR-22 insurance. Put simply, SR-22 insurance is a form your insurer files with the state to prove you have car insurance.
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance, including SR-22 coverage, in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire doesn’t require car insurance, but the state mandates SR-22 certificates for some high-risk drivers.
Not all companies will insure drivers who require an SR-22, so you might need to shop around for a car insurance company that does.
In New Hampshire, you’ll need to maintain SR-22 coverage for a minimum of three years.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in New Hampshire
Car insurance rates for drivers who need SR-22 documentation are higher than for people with a clean driving record. The following insurance companies offer the most affordable auto insurance coverage for drivers with an SR-22 in New Hampshire.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
GEICO | $50 | $91 |
State Farm | $55 | $100 |
USAA | $58 | $105 |
Safeco | $63 | $84 |
Liberty Mutual | $64 | $148 |
National General | $81 | $173 |
Progressive | $83 | $152 |
Foremost | $97 | $205 |
Bristol West | $101 | $227 |
Allstate | $102 | $181 |
Nationwide | $130 | $232 |
What is SR-22 insurance in New Hampshire?
Even though New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t mandate car insurance for drivers, it does require SR-22 insurance for high-risk drivers. When an auto insurer files an SR-22 certificate with the state, this proves a high-risk driver has insurance.[1]
Depending on your car insurance company, the need for an SR-22 may lead to higher premiums or even the termination of your coverage. If this occurs, you should find a new insurer that will cover you and file an SR-22 on your behalf.
Difference between SR-22 and FR-44
Florida and Virginia are the only U.S. states that may require high-risk drivers to file an FR-44 form instead of an SR-22. The filing process is similar, but an FR-44 includes more comprehensive car insurance coverage. In Virginia, drivers must file an FR-44 form to verify that their insurance is double the minimum requirements for the state.
When you need SR-22 insurance
Although New Hampshire doesn’t have a car insurance requirement for drivers, the state does require high-risk drivers to obtain an SR-22 certificate in the following situations:
Any DUI or DWI charge: Driving under the influence is risky for you and other drivers. That’s why the state may require you to file an SR-22 form after you get a DWI or DUI conviction, even if it’s your first offense.
Fleeing the scene of an accident: New Hampshire requires drivers to stop at the scene of a car accident and assess property damage and injuries, as long as it’s safe to do so. If you drive away, you might face an SR-22 requirement.
Having two reckless driving offenses: If you receive two traffic violations in a short period of time, you may need to obtain an SR-22 certification. This might be the case even if they’re relatively minor, like speeding tickets.
How to get SR-22 insurance in New Hampshire
Here’s how to obtain an SR-22 certificate in New Hampshire:
1. Check with your insurance company
Not all car insurance companies offer SR-22s. Reach out to your insurer or insurance agent to determine if they file these forms.
2. Find a new insurer if necessary
If your insurance company doesn’t file SR-22s, find another one that does. Even if your insurer does offer them, you may want to shop around for a new insurance company with cheaper premiums.
3. Have the insurance company file the SR-22 form
Let the auto insurance company you chose know that you need an SR-22. Once you do, they should be able to handle the process on your behalf and file a form with the state.
How long does New Hampshire require SR-22 insurance?
In the state of New Hampshire, you’ll have to maintain your SR-22 filing and show proof of liability insurance for at least three years from the date of your conviction. If you have a more serious offense, the state may require an SR-22 for a longer period of time.
Keep in mind that your current insurance company might not offer SR-22s, and if they do, you might have to settle for higher rates. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare all your options.[2]
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in New Hampshire
Car insurance companies consider drivers with SR-22 to be high-risk, which means an SR-22 form may increase your insurance premiums. These rates may remain higher even after you fulfill your SR-22 requirement.
The good news is you can improve your driving record and save money on car insurance in several ways, even while you have an SR-22. Consider the following opportunities to save:[3]
Comply with your SR-22 insurance certificate. It’s your personal responsibility to meet every SR-22 insurance requirement. As a driver in New Hampshire, you’ll need it on file for at least three years and must maintain the minimum liability criteria.
Avoid future traffic violations. The more traffic violations you have, the higher your car insurance rates may be. You might want to enroll in a defensive driving course so you can reduce the risk of additional violations and potentially secure a discount.
Look for discounts. Most auto insurance companies offer discounts that can lead to the best deal on car insurance coverage. Common discounts include bundling discounts, multi-policy discounts, and loyalty discounts.
Maintain good credit. In New Hampshire, car insurers can consider your credit-based insurance score when they determine your insurance policy rates. Since better credit can lead to cheaper coverage and lower car insurance costs, it may be worthwhile to improve your credit.
New Hampshire SR-22 insurance FAQs
The following information can answer your remaining questions about SR-22 requirements in New Hampshire.
How do you know if you need SR-22 or FR-44?
If you need an SR-22 in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (NHDMV) will notify you with a letter. The letter will explain that you need proof of financial responsibility, indicating that you must file SR-22 insurance.
Are there any fees with SR-22 insurance?
It’s possible. Your insurance company may charge a one-time filing fee to file SR-22 insurance with the state of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire DMV. Ask your insurer for information about filing fees, which might depend on your driving history and specific situation.
How much do car insurance rates increase after filing SR-22?
Drivers with SR-22 car insurance typically pay much higher rates than people with a clean driving record. New Hampshire requires SR-22s for high-risk drivers, including people with a past DUI or reckless driving charge.
The cost of SR-22 insurance will depend on your traffic violation and insurance company. Failure to do so can potentially lead to a loss of driving privileges, fines, and jail time.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in New Hampshire?
Per New Hampshire laws and the state DMV, you must maintain SR-22 coverage and proof of insurance for at least three years. But the exact length of time will depend on your traffic violation and situation.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in New Hampshire?
To remove an SR-22 certificate in New Hampshire, you’ll have to wait until it expires and you’ve met the state’s legal requirements. Once it does, you can contact your car insurance company and ask them to remove the NH SR-22 from your record.
What happens to your SR-22 in New Hampshire if you move?
Each state has its own SR-22 requirements. But if you move from New Hampshire before your SR-22 expires, it will follow you.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in New Hampshire
Sources
- New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements / SR-22."
- New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles. "Insurance Requirements/SR-22 FAQs."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in