Is auto insurance required in New Hampshire?
Do you need car insurance in New Hampshire? In short, New Hampshire auto insurance requirements don't exist.That's right - you aren't legally required to have car insurance in New Hampshire! While no monthly auto insurance premiums might sound nice, the risk of driving without auto insurance in New Hampshire far outweighs the benefits. Even though auto insurance isn't required in New Hampshire, you will be held liable for any damages you cause to public property or other drivers in the event of a car accident. Don't risk it. Find affordable coverage right now no matter where you live with our free comparison tool below.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Why is car insurance mandatory for most states? Well, this is because someone needs to take responsibility or liability for any type of damage caused.
This is why for almost all of us, car insurance, whether this may be paid annually or monthly insurance, is something that you just can’t argue with. This is a legal requirement, and if you want to drive, you’re going to have to pay the toll. Well, in this case, that’s the toll and your car insurance policy…
But there are some magical lands where this is not the case. If you want to be free of the sky-high car insurance rate forever, then you should consider moving to New Hampshire. So, does New Hampshire require car insurance coverage? New Hampshire is one of the very few states in the world with no* car insurance laws – now that’s what I call the land of the free!
But Wait, There’s a Catch!
Before you decide to start racing around New Hampshire like a boy racer, or before you think it’s okay for you to borrow your buddy’s car, it’s worth looking into this a little further.
There are caveats you see. (Aren’t there always caveats?)
Even though you don’t legally have to have car insurance in New Hampshire for example, you, a New Hampshire driver will still be held liable for any damage that you might cause to others.
So if you don’t have an auto insurance policy and you crash into a lamppost, then you’ll need to pay the council or the city to fix that lamppost.
Worse, if you crash into someone else then you might have to pay for their car to be repaired as well as any medical costs that may be incurred.
And then there’s the small matter of your own motor vehicle and your own medical costs.
It might seem tempting to go jetting off thinking that ‘you never crash’ but it’s just not a good idea on any level. In order to be safe, you have to avoid crashing every single time you go out. But to find yourself in trouble, you only have to make one single mistake. Those are not good odds.
Don’t tempt fate and don’t take the risk!
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Car Insurance in New Hampshire
So for these reasons, most residents in New Hampshire will still opt to purchase car insurance coverage. In fact, did you know that the uninsured driver rate in New Hampshire is lower than the national average? There’s probably a political statement to be made here, but we’ll leave that to someone else!
When doing this, you will be required to meet certain criteria. Specifically, once you do have an auto insurance policy, you will be required to make sure it includes:
- Liability coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Uninsured motorist coverage
Let’s look at each of these things in more detail:
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance coverage is what helps you to pay for the damage you cause to others – both in terms of repairs and medical bills. This cover should pay out up to $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury when multiple parties are injured and $25,000 in property damage.
Medical Payments
Your insurance must also cover your own medical costs, and this needs to be good for up to $1,000. Which isn’t actually all that much!
Uninsured Motorist
What’s interesting is that your insurance coverage also needs to cover those drivers that don’t have it. This might feel somewhat irksome but it’s something you’ll be glad to have if ever the issue comes to light. So in this case, if someone should crash into you and they don’t have insurance, your own insurance should be able to cover those costs and should match your liability coverage in terms of value.
Mandatory Insurance Filing
In slightly complicated matters, there are some instances where it is still a legal requirement to have insurance in New Hampshire.
Insurance filing applies mainly to drivers have either been involved in accidents or that have been convicted of traffic violations such as a DUI/DWI.
If you are required to buy insurance, then you will need to fill out an SR 22 insurance form which can be provided by your car insurance company. The SR 22 insurance guarantee that you will hold the insurance for a certain period, which is normally 3 years. If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, then you can find out by looking at your NH driving record.
So there you have it! New Hampshire is the land of the free automobile, but with great freedom, comes great responsibility!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is auto insurance required in New Hampshire?
No, auto insurance is not legally required in New Hampshire. It is one of the few states in the United States that does not mandate drivers to have auto insurance coverage.
If auto insurance is not mandatory, are there any requirements for drivers in New Hampshire?
Although auto insurance is not required, New Hampshire has established alternative methods for demonstrating financial responsibility. Drivers in New Hampshire can choose to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements by either purchasing auto insurance or providing proof of sufficient funds or surety bond.
What is the advantage of having auto insurance in New Hampshire?
While auto insurance is not compulsory in New Hampshire, having coverage can still be highly beneficial. Auto insurance provides protection in case of accidents, theft, or damage to your vehicle. It can help cover medical expenses, property damage, and legal fees, providing you with financial security and peace of mind.
What is the “at-fault” system in New Hampshire, and how does it affect drivers?
New Hampshire follows an “at-fault” system, also known as a “tort” system. This means that the driver who is found to be responsible for an accident is financially liable for the resulting damages. Without insurance, an at-fault driver may have to pay for the other party’s medical expenses, property damage, and other costs out of pocket.
Are there any situations where auto insurance is required in New Hampshire?
Although auto insurance is not mandatory for all drivers in New Hampshire, it is important to note that certain situations may require proof of insurance. For example, if you have been convicted of certain offenses like driving under the influence (DUI) or have been involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or significant property damage, you may be required to carry insurance as part of the reinstatement process for your driver’s license.
Can I still purchase auto insurance in New Hampshire if it’s not required?
Absolutely! Even though auto insurance is not compulsory, you can still purchase coverage to protect yourself, your vehicle, and others on the road. Many insurance companies offer a range of policies that can suit your needs and budget, providing you with valuable protection and additional benefits.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.