Car Insurance In New Hampshire 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

Having analyzed New Hampshire’s insurance market and the changing requirements for coverage, I’ve seen the impact that new bills and requirements can have on drivers. This guide will provide everything drivers need to know about getting car insurance, where to find it, what factors increase the price, and how to make confident choices behind the wheel.

Does New Hampshire Require Car Insurance?

No, New Hampshire does not require car insurance. It is, in fact, the only state with no car insurance requirements. However, drivers are still legally and financially responsible for any injuries or damages that they cause in the event of an accident.

Note: New Hampshire is an at-fault state, so the driver who is at fault has to compensate other parties for their damages and injuries either with personal means or insurance.

This financial responsibility law means that drivers who choose not to get an insurance policy are still legally required to demonstrate that they have enough money in their personal accounts to cover their potential liabilities. In the event that a driver causes an accident and they don’t have insurance, they’ll have to submit a cash deposit or a bond for any damages that they cause.

Though general drivers are not required to carry insurance, there are circumstances where some drivers might be legally required to carry insurance, and that includes those with specific offenses like vehicular homicide or a DWI conviction.

How Much Insurance Should You Get In New Hampshire?

If you choose to get an insurance policy in New Hampshire, there are minimum limits that you have to obtain:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): $1,000 per person.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM): Limits equal to your bodily injury liability ($25,000/$50,000).

As mentioned, insurance is not mandatory for most drivers, but it might still be worth it to invest in an insurance policy and one that goes beyond the state minimums, especially if you have a car loan or lease on your vehicle.

Approximately 10% of New Hampshire drivers do not carry insurance, and there’s no guarantee that if you are involved in an accident with someone, they will have enough personal funds to cover the damages, which is why it might be worth protecting your assets by investing in Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.

It is similarly worth considering collision and comprehensive coverage to protect against the risk of black ice and single-vehicle incidents, wildfire damages, broken windshields from things like falling ice, and accidents involving wildlife.

How Much Is Car Insurance In New Hampshire?

Though not required for most drivers, the average cost of minimum coverage in New Hampshire in 2025 was between $397 to $435 annually, and the average cost for full coverage was $1,700 annually. However, of the many drivers throughout the state who choose to get a policy, other factors can influence costs, including the following:

• Low-income car insurance: Like several other states, New Hampshire does not offer any form of government-sponsored low-income program to offset the cost of insurance, but it also does not require drivers to have insurance, and if drivers opt to get insurance, the minimum state liability cost is approximately 447 per year.
• Non-owner car insurance: Drivers who don’t own a car but still want a liability-only policy if they rent or borrow cars frequently can expect to pay between $318 and $379 per year.
• Temporary car insurance: Drivers who want temporary coverage, paying on a one-month or 3-month basis, can expect to pay around $81 per month for short-term coverage in New Hampshire.
• Senior car insurance: Seniors pay between $1,315 and $1,534 for full coverage. Rates tend to increase significantly as soon as drivers turn 75 or older due to the increased risk.
• Teen car insurance: Teens under 19 can expect to pay $4,141 for full coverage per year; however, there are options for things like good student discounts from some providers.
• SR-22 car insurance: Drivers who are considered at risk or required to maintain insurance and an SR-22 form can expect to pay around $1,000 per year to maintain a minimum State liability coverage.
• College Students: College students in New Hampshire between the ages of 20 and 24 can expect to pay around $2,100 for full coverage per year.
• Bad Credit: A poor credit score can more than double your insurance premiums compared to the state average, exceeding well over 3,300 per year.
• With a speeding ticket: A single speeding ticket can increase premiums up to 98%, depending on your insurance provider.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In New Hampshire?

The companies below offer various car insurance policies to New Hampshire drivers:

• Amica Mutual Insurance
• USAA
• Travelers
• Allstate
• State Farm
• GEICO
• Progressive
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Farmers Insurance
• The Concord Group
• The Hanover Insurance Group
• MMG Insurance
• Vermont Mutual
• Safety Insurance
• Patriot Insurance Company
• Sunapee Mutual Insurance
• Mapfre Insurance
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Safeco
• National General Insurance
• PURE Insurance

Note: You can use the New Hampshire Insurance Department Company Search tool to find all licensed providers in the state.

You can look at comparative policies and coverage through Insuranceopedia to find the best fit.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In New Hampshire

As New Hampshire is the only state that does not actually mandate car insurance for every driver, there are plenty of ways that drivers can manage the cost of insurance or other protection.

Utilize The “Take-All-Comers” Rule

For starters, New Hampshire Law requires that all insurance companies offer coverage to every applicant, even high-risk applicants. So, you can still get access to competitive options from multiple insurance companies, no matter your background.

Use State-Approved Defensive Driving

Another option is to enroll in an approved safe driving course. These programs are typically offered through driving schools in big cities like Nashua and Concord or at local community colleges. Completing a course voluntarily can qualify you for up to 15% off your premiums for several years.

Right-Size Based On Financial Responsibility

New Hampshire drivers can prove that they have the financial responsibility to cover any costs associated with an accident using their personal assets rather than paying for insurance. Therefore, drivers who have a low risk profile with high-value vehicles can actually opt out of minimum coverage as long as they prove that they have personal assets adequate enough to cover any potential damage.

Change Your Deductible

One of the easiest ways to change your premiums is to increase your deductible. The out-of-pocket deductible that you pay has a direct influence on your premiums. So if you can decrease your out-of-pocket deductible and have money set aside to cover that deductible, you can see savings of up to 40% off your premiums.

Compare Annually

With tools like Insuranceopedia, you can compare prices on a regular basis. Most experts recommend every 6 months to one year, so that you know what your options are. Regional companies might offer more favorable discounts, especially if your circumstances have changed since you last took a policy.

Low Mileage

Usage discounts often apply to drivers who keep their annual miles under 10,000 or those who install things like telematics programs and drive primarily during the day.

Bundle Your Policies

Combining multiple Insurance products with the same company can qualify you for bundle discounts, also called multiple policy discounts, which are typically up to 25% off all of your insurance premiums.

Proof Of Insurance In New Hampshire

Car insurance is not a legal requirement for most drivers in New Hampshire, but drivers still have to demonstrate financial responsibility.

Financial Responsibility In New Hampshire

If you choose to purchase insurance voluntarily, you have to meet the state minimum. If you have a specific violation, like a DUI, or you have failed to pay for a previous accident, you might be mandated to carry an SR-22 certificate, in which case you’ll be mandated to maintain state minimum insurance as well.

For all other drivers, it is not a requirement.

Since it is not required for most drivers, if you get stopped and you don’t have insurance, this isn’t something for which you can be penalized. However, if you are under an SR-22 requirement, you can face penalties immediately, such as a license suspension and fines. Similarly, if you cause a car accident and you cannot prove that you have sufficient money to cover the damages, then New Hampshire can suspend your license and registration.

While carrying insurance is not a requirement in New Hampshire, all drivers are personally responsible for medical bills and property damage associated with accidents that they cause, and the courts can actually sell off drivers’ assets in order to pay for these costs.

New Hampshire State Driving Laws

New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate car insurance for every driver, though there are financial responsibility laws that every driver must adhere to.

Insurance & Financial Responsibility

• Fault State: New Hampshire is an at-fault state, so whoever is considered at fault after an accident has to cover the costs of damages and injuries either through insurance or personal means.
• Drivers Without Insurance: Drivers who choose not to carry Insurance have to demonstrate that they have sufficient assets to cover the equivalent of the state-mandated minimums for liability.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage is not mandatory for all drivers, but if you choose to purchase a state minimum liability policy, then you have to include uninsured motorist as part of that.
• SR-22s: High-risk drivers are required to file an SR-22 (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) for a minimum of three years.
• Self-Insurance: Drivers can opt to self-insure by, again, showing that they have the financial means through personal assets like a bond, to cover damages in the event of an accident.

Safety & Traffic Regulations

• Seat Belt Laws: In addition to being the only state that does not require insurance, New Hampshire is the only state with no adult seat belt law.
• Teen & Child Laws: Anyone under age 18 must wear a seat belt.
• Distracted Driving: No driver is legally allowed to use a handheld device while behind the wheel.
• DUI Laws: New Hampshire blood alcohol content is 0.08% for anyone over the age of 21 and 0.02% for anyone under.

Accident Claims & Reports

• When to Report an Accident: Drivers have 15 days to report an accident to the DMV if it resulted in injuries, deaths, or property damage of more than $1,000.
• Statute of Limitations: The statute of limitations in New Hampshire is 3 years after the date of an accident.
• Total Loss: Once a vehicle’s repair costs plus salvage exceed the actual cash value a car is declared a total loss.

General Requirements

• Car Inspection: Vehicles must undergo an annual safety inspection.
• Cancellation/Non-Renewal: Insurance providers have to give you at least 10 days notice if they cancel your policy due to non-payment, but at least 45 days notice if they cancel your policy for any other reason.

Defensive Driving: New Hampshire offers discounts on insurance premiums for those drivers who complete defensive driving courses.

New Hampshire Car Insurance Contact Information

As New Hampshire does not mandate car insurance for the majority of drivers, there are different departments to contact regarding insurance needs. All drivers are still required to demonstrate financial responsibility, which is handled through two main departments:

1. New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID)

The NHID regulates insurance companies, so you will contact them in the event that you need to report Insurance fraud, need help understanding New Hampshire laws, or want to file a dispute with your insurance provider because of a policy cancellation or claim that was denied.

Contact Information:

• Consumer Hotline: (800) 852-3416 (In-state) or (603) 271-2261
• Email (Consumer Services): consumerservices@ins.nh.gov
• Fraud Reporting: nhfraud@ins.nh.gov
• Physical Address: 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 14, Concord, NH 03301
• Website: nh.gov

2. New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

The DMV manages things like financial responsibility laws and vehicle registration, so this is who you contact if you need to report an accident with damages exceeding $1,000, reinstate your registration after a suspension, or submit your mandatory SR-22 certificate where required.

Contact Information:

• General Customer Service: (603) 227-4000
• Financial Responsibility (SR-22) Bureau: (603) 227-4010 | Email: FR@dos.nh.gov
• Registration Bureau: (603) 227-4030 | Email: REG@dos.nh.gov
• Title Bureau: (603) 227-4150 | Email: TITLE@dos.nh.gov
• Website: nh.gov

3. Local Town/City Clerk’s Offices

There are other offices you might need to contact, specifically your local city clerk or local town office for your vehicle registration. This requires you to pay your local permit fees at the city clerk or town office, after which you can start your state registration portion at the DMV. You can typically complete your annual registration renewal through your town clerk’s office.

Contact Information:

• Find Your Clerk: Use the NH.gov Town/City Clerk Directory to find local contact info.
• Manchester Clerk: (603) 624-6455
• Concord Clerk: (603) 225-8500

Common New Hampshire Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

New Hampshire may have some of the lowest rates of car theft across the United States, but they have dealt with an increase in traffic fatalities since 2024.

Vehicle Theft Trends

New Hampshire ranks among the lowest for property crimes, including vehicle theft. However, vehicle theft represents 7% of all property crimes in the state. Car theft rates have remained consistent year over year for the last several years.

Traffic Fatality Data

In 2024, there were 135 traffic fatalities in New Hampshire, stemming from 121 accidents. This represents the fifth-highest total in New Hampshire’s history, and a 6% increase from 2023. As of October 2025, another 101 traffic fatalities were recorded, representing a 7% increase from the same time frame in 2024.

These figures are worse in young drivers under 21 and older drivers over 71. Young drivers had a 233% increase in fatalities in 2024, while older driver fatalities doubled during the same time frame.

Motorcyclists are at an even higher risk, as motorcycle deaths have risen for the last four years in a row.

Common Accident Causes

Over half of all traffic fatalities happen in rural areas, where higher speeds are more likely. That said, the biggest causes of accidents include driving under the influence, distracted driving, and speeding. Speeding was behind ⅓ of all accident fatalities in 2024.

In late fall and winter, the common causes of accidents expand to include wildlife collisions, especially at night, and snow and ice.