except those convicted of certain traffic offenses. However, drivers still need to demonstrate financial responsibility equal to 25/5025 liability limits.

In New Hampshire, you don't have to have car insurance unless you've been convicted of a crime or traffic violation like hit-and-run, DUI, or multiple reckless driving charges.
All drivers must show proof of financial responsibility equal to 25/50/25 liability limits.
Drivers who purchase car insurance need at least 25/50/25 liability coverage, 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage, and $1,000 MedPay.
Buying car insurance is the simplest way to meet New Hampshire’s legal requirements—and the cheapest.

Minimum car insurance requirements in New Hampshire:

Car insurance is not required in New Hampshire unless you are convicted of one or more of the following:

Hit and run

DUI

(drugs or alcohol)

Intentionally killing or hurting someone with your car

Second offense of excessive speed

Second or subsequent

reckless driving

charge

But there’s one other instance where you might need car insurance to comply with state law: if you’re

at fault in an accident

. Under

N.H. Rev. Stat. Section 264:20

, all at-fault drivers must prove that they’re able to cover up to $25,000 in medical bills for a single person, $50,000 in medical bills for multiple people, and $25,000 in property damage.

For most New Hampshire drivers, the easiest way to meet those standards is to purchase an auto insurance policy. In fact, the Granite State has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers of any state, with just 6.1% of the state uninsured.

If you do purchase car insurance in New Hampshire—either voluntarily or because of your

driving record

—you must have at least the following:

$25,000

bodily injury liability

per person

$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident

$25,000

property damage liability

per accident

$25,000

uninsured/underinsured motorist

bodily injury coverage per person

$50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident

$1,000 in

medical payments coverage (MedPay)

per person

New Hampshire auto insurance requirements

Type of coverage	Minimum insurance limit
Bodily injury liability (BIL) per person	$25,000
Bodily injury liability (BIL) per accident	$50,000
Property damage liability (PDL)	$25,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person	$25,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident	$50,000
Medical payments (MedPay) per person	$1,000

Key Takeaway Most drivers in New Hampshire need auto insurance to meet the state’s motor vehicle financial responsibility requirements, but it’s only technically mandated in the case of severe driving violations.

Understanding New Hampshire’s minimum insurance coverage requirements

Liability car insurance

covers the medical expenses and property damage of others when you are at fault in an accident. This includes things like repairs for a damaged fender or another driver’s hospital bills—but liability coverage does not cover your own medical expenses or property damage.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM)

covers your medical costs if you’re in a collision with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have insurance. If your UIM limits exceed the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability limits, you can use your coverage to cover the difference.

Medical payments (MedPay)

cover your medical expenses resulting from an auto collision, regardless of who is at fault. Your MedPay coverage may also be applied to another person in your household or another passenger in your vehicle.

How much does New Hampshire state minimum coverage cost?

The average annual cost of

full coverage auto insurance

in New Hampshire is $1,665, while the cost of minimum coverage is $1,636. Full coverage insurance would cost about $138 per month, while basic liability insurance would cost about $136.

Keep in mind that the cost of your auto insurance rates will vary widely based on variables like your age, gender, ZIP code,

driving record

, and the specific make and model of your car. You can lower your premium payments by raising your deductible, qualifying for

discounts

, and

shopping around for better rates

Do you need more coverage than New Hampshire’s required insurance minimum?

Legally, no, but it's usually a good idea to buy liability insurance that covers more than what's required by law.

If you cause an accident, you might have to pay for medical bills and car repairs that are much more expensive than the 25/50/25 coverage limits. This is especially true if the car is totaled or the other driver is seriously hurt—that's why getting more coverage is a better way to protect yourself.

Full coverage car insurance is the best way to ensure that you’re covered against major out-of-pocket expenses associated with your vehicle. Even if you opt out of full coverage, we recommend purchasing a 100/300/100 liability policy for more comprehensive protection.

Here’s what it might look like if you’re in an accident with minimal coverage…

Several scenarios could occur if you are in an accident in New Hampshire with little or no insurance coverage.

If the other driver is found to be at fault in the accident, their insurance company is responsible for paying for your losses. However, if you don’t carry even the minimum insurance set out by New Hampshire law, there may not be avenues open to you for financial compensation if the other driver is either uninsured or underinsured.

If you are at fault and cannot pay for the other party's medical bills, property repairs, and other costs, you may be held personally responsible. They could sue you to get their money back for these costs.

If you do carry minimum liability coverage but no physical damage coverage such as collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, you’ll face steep out of pocket expenses if you’re at fault in an auto accident or if your vehicle is stolen, damaged by severe weather, or vandalized.

Additional coverage options

While all insurance coverage is optional for most people in New Hampshire, here are some policies that can complement the usual liability, uninsured motorist, and MedPay coverage:

Comprehensive coverage

can cover the costs of physical damages to your vehicle that are not the result of a collision (e.g., vandalism)

Collision coverage

can help you cover the cost of repairs for your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or fixed object

Roadside assistance helps with things like fixing flats, towing, or jumping batteries—the coverage will vary between policies and companies

Rental car reimbursement

will cover the cost of a rental vehicle up to your policy limits if your vehicle needs multi-day repairs after a covered claim.

What is the penalty for not having auto insurance coverage in New Hampshire?

Simply driving without insurance in New Hampshire is legal—but under New Hampshire’s motor vehicle financial responsibility law, you could face serious penalties if you cause an accident while uninsured. Because New Hampshire doesn’t mandate that drivers have auto insurance, there are no legal penalties for driving without insurance in New Hampshire.

If you cause an accident that you cannot pay for, you will be required to purchase

a car insurance policy with an SR-22

and could have

your driver’s license suspended

along with your vehicle registration.

FAQs

What car insurance is required by law in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire’s car insurance laws mandate a minimum of 25/50/25 liability insurance, 25/50 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and $1,000 of MedPay for every car insurance policy.

Is New Hampshire a no-fault car insurance state?

New Hampshire is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning that the at-fault driver and/or their insurer is financially liable for any damages or expenses resulting from a collision.

Make sure you have ample car insurance so that you’re covered if you ever cause a collision.

Are you required to have auto insurance in New Hampshire?

No, you are not legally required to have auto insurance in New Hampshire unless you’ve been convicted of any of the following:

Hit and run

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Intentionally killing or hurting someone with your car

Second or subsequent convictions for excessive speed or reckless driving

However, you must prove financial responsibility for up to $50,000 in medical bills and up to $25,000 in property damage if you’re at fault in an accident—and proof of insurance is the cheapest way to satisfy that requirement.