Drivers in New Hampshire need at least 25/50/25 for both liability and uninsured motorist coverage, with an additional $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

Written by Kianna Walpole

Edited by Jessica Barrett

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

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Car insurance requirements in New Hampshire
Why you need insurance in New Hampshire—and why it should be more than the state minimum
Optional coverages in New Hampshire
Penalties for uninsured drivers
FAQS

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Car insurance

isn’t mandatory in

New Hampshire

, but it’s the best and easiest way to prove financial responsibility. If you purchase a car insurance policy, you need to follow the 25/50/25 rule for both liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—and get at least $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

Car insurance requirements in New Hampshire

Drivers in New Hampshire have two coverage options when it comes to auto insurance—forego an auto insurance policy and carry proof of financial responsibility, or choose insurance coverage in the following amounts:

$25,000 per person in

bodily injury liability coverage

and

uninsured motorist coverage

$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage

$25,000 per accident in

property damage liability coverage

and uninsured motorist coverage

$1,000 per person in

medical payments coverage (MedPay)

If you choose to opt out of car insurance in New Hampshire, you must prove that you can cover up to the 25/50/25 limits for medical bills and property damage. All insured drivers are required to carry

proof of insurance

Keep in mind: If you are convicted of a hit-and-run,
DUI
, face a reckless driving charge, or are at fault for an accident, you will be required to carry the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage via an
SR-22 certificate
.

The Jerry app can help you shop for insurance and compare quotes from multiple carriers in seconds, ensuring you find the best coverage at the best rate.

Jerry

makes it easy to get the best price for your auto insurance.

Learn More:

What do I need to get car insurance?

Why you need insurance in New Hampshire—and why it should be more than the state minimum

Most drivers aren’t obliged to purchase car insurance in New Hampshire; however, rejecting coverage limits outright or simply opting for a minimum coverage policy could cost you more in the long run.

Drivers who are responsible for an accident are required to pay for any medical bills or damage expenses. If you cannot prove that you can financially foot the bill, or your coverage limits run out and you can’t pay the remainder out-of-pocket, your assets and future income could be left vulnerable to a lawsuit.

Your best option is to secure a minimum coverage policy and then increase your liability limits beyond the required state amount.

A.J. Leh

Licensed Insurance Agent

As a licensed agent, I highly recommend carrying higher limits than state minimums for bodily injury and property damage coverages. Your coverage limits should always exceed your current net worth. I'd consider limits of $100,000/$300,00 or higher as these coverages can better protect you from the damages and injury you may cause in an auto accident.

Higher limits will ensure that you have enough protection in place to cover you in both minor and major accidents—and luckily, they won’t impact your auto insurance rates too much.

Using the

Jerry

app, you can adjust your coverage limits at any time to see the change in your car insurance premium.

full coverage policy

with

comprehensive coverage

and

collision coverage

can provide you with greater peace of mind and financial security if your vehicle is damaged and requires repairs while providing additional protection for you and your passengers.

When you shop for insurance quotes with Jerry, you can easily adjust your liability limits and coverage options in the app.

That makes it easy to get an idea of what you’ll pay for additional protection.

Leasing or financing a car Although New Hampshire doesn’t mandate car insurance, if you lease or finance a vehicle, your lender will require you to have a full coverage policy in place.

Keep in mind that

car insurance rates are calculated

based on factors like your age, gender, ZIP code, driving record, and the specific make and model of your car.

The best and most convenient way to find the right coverage for you is to compare costs between several insurance companies. With Jerry, you can see insurance quotes for both full coverage and high liability options to help weigh all your options.

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Learn More:

The average cost of car insurance (2023)

Optional coverages in New Hampshire

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:

Roadside assistance

: Sometimes known as towing and labor coverage, roadside assistance can cover everything from fixing a flat tire to jumpstarting a vehicle, remedying lockouts, and towing to a repair shop.

Rental car reimbursement

: This type of coverage pays for the cost of a rental vehicle up to your policy limits while your car is being repaired.

Personal injury protection (PIP)

: Similar to MedPay, PIP covers medical costs or medical bills associated with an accident—but comes with more coverage. This includes lost wages and rehabilitation services, whereas MedPay only pays for hospital bills and funeral expenses.

Accident forgiveness

: This add-on isn’t available across all insurance providers, but if your company does have it, they will generally ‘forgive’ your first accident and save you from a surcharge.

Penalties for uninsured drivers

As New Hampshire state law doesn’t mandate car insurance, there are no penalties associated with

driving without insurance

. But under New Hampshire’s motor vehicle financial responsibility law, you could face serious penalties if you cause an accident while uninsured, including:

Driver’s license suspension

Vehicle registration suspension

$100 license reinstatement fee

$25 registration fee

SR-22

filing for 3 years

In addition, you will be required to purchase the minimum auto insurance amounts.

FAQS

Is car insurance high in New Hampshire?

On average, drivers in New Hampshire pay around $1,636 per year for the state minimum insurance. For a full coverage policy, motorists generally pay $1,668 annually. While New Hampshire drivers do pay more than the national average for minimum insurance, they pay less than the average for full coverage.

Is New Hampshire the only state that doesn’t require car insurance?

Yes, currently, New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate car insurance.

Is New Hampshire a no-fault state?

No. New Hampshire is considered an at-fault state, meaning that at-fault drivers are responsible for the other party’s medical and property damage costs.