New Hampshire car insurance laws
New Hampshire car insurance law requires drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 in liability coverage. These minimum limits help pay for injuries and property damage when an insured driver causes an accident. However, the required limits may not be enough in a serious crash, leaving the driver responsible for the remaining expenses.
These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.
However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, New Hampshire drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.
New Hampshire car insurance requirements
New Hampshire drivers must carry liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. and UIMBI, UMBI and Med. The minimum liability limit is 25/50/25. These minimum limits help pay for injuries and property damage after an accident, but if costs exceed your policy limits, you will be responsible for the remaining amount.
New Hampshire requires the following coverage:
Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.
New Hampshire liability minimums are 25/50/25.
Medical payments (MedPay). MedPay is similar to PIP but covers fewer types of medical costs. For example, MedPay will pay for doctor visits but not lost wages. MedPay also pays for injuries to others, such as pedestrians and bicyclists, who are hurt in an accident.
New Hampshire MedPay requirements are $1,000.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverageAn auto insurance coverage that pays for injuries or damage if you're in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance. helps pay for your medical costs and property damage if the at-fault driver has little or no car insurance. Your insurer would cover expenses up to your limits in addition to any payments from the other insurer.
New Hampshire requires uninsured motorist coverage of 25/50.
Minimum coverage in New Hampshire costs an average of $447. The Hanover offers the lowest average rate at $197, but your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. will depend on your driving record, age, location, and other factors.
The table below shows the average rates of the top insurers for minimum coverage in New Hampshire.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| The Hanover | $197 | $16 |
| MMG Insurance | $262 | $22 |
| Auto-Owners | $294 | $24 |
| GEICO | $340 | $28 |
| Progressive | $552 | $46 |
| State Farm | $643 | $54 |
| Farmers | $647 | $54 |
| Allstate | $723 | $60 |
| Nationwide | $737 | $61 |
| USAA | $267 | $22 |
New Hampshire car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits
Minimum coverage car insurance in New Hampshire costs an average of $447. However, the amount you pay will depend on your insurer, age, location, driving history, and other rating factors. The Hanover has the cheapest average minimum coverage rate at $197 annually.
On average, state minimum car insurance costs $447. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average annual rates for the old minimum liability limits in New Hampshire. We will soon revise the rates to align with the updated limits.
The cheapest company for minimum coverage in New Hampshire is The Hanover at an average rate of $197 annually.
| State minimum coverage limit | 25/50/25 |
| Average annual premium | $447 |
| Average monthly premium | $37 |
Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in New Hampshire?
The minimum car insurance requirements in New Hampshire will remain the same in 2026. Drivers who already meet the state's mandatory coverage limits do not need to change their policies. If the law changes in the future, insurers will notify customers about the new requirements and any effect on premiums.
Why do limits change?
"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated coverage values and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."
What does minimum car insurance cover in New Hampshire?
Minimum car insurance in New Hampshire pays for specific accident expenses up to the limits required by law. Liability insurance covers injuries and property damage you cause to other people. These limits pay for injuries, property damage, and other losses covered under New Hampshire's minimum insurance requirements.
New Hampshire requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.
New Hampshire drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.
New Hampshire is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also required. Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for coverage when the at-fault driver doesn't have car insurance, and underinsured coverage assists when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough car insurance to cover injury and property damage costs. Without these coverages, you would have to pay for medical and repair costs that the other driver's insurance didn't cover. You may be able to opt out of this coverage.
PEOPLE ASK:
Is New Hampshire minimum car insurance enough?
Minimum car insurance may not provide enough protection in New Hampshire. A serious accident can easily result in expenses above the required limit of 25/50/25, leaving you responsible for the remaining amount. Minimum liability insurance also does not cover damage to your vehicle, regardless of whether it is damaged in a collision, stolen, or affected by weather. You need to add comprehensive and collision coverage; collision coverage pays for crash damage to your vehicle, and comprehensive insurance covers non-collision losses such as theft, fire, hail, and falling objects.
How much car insurance is enough in New Hampshire?
The right amount of car insurance in New Hampshire depends on your income, savings, assets, vehicle value, and risk of being sued after an accident. Drivers with significant assets should consider higher liability limits, while drivers with financed or leased vehicles will generally need collision and comprehensive coverage.
For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.
Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease, you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.
Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.
New Hampshire penalties for driving without car insurance
Driving without required insurance in New Hampshire may lead to fines, license suspension, registration penalties and more expensive insurance in the future. Repeated violations may result in harsher consequences. If you cause an accident without coverage, you will also have to pay medical bills and property damage costs yourself.
Failing to carry New Hampshire car insurance has penalties, including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.
| Fines | $125 |
| Other penalties | License suspension |
| Jail time | No |
New Hampshire minimum coverage cost by age group
Younger drivers tend to pay the most, and rates decline with age and experience. The Hanover is the cheapest option for teens, while The Hanover has the lowest average adult rate
The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. The Hanover has the best rates for teens, with minimum coverage averaging $440. The Hanover offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $197.
Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $451, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $444, a difference of $7.
New Hampshire minimum coverage cost by city
Minimum coverage is cheapest in Lebanon, where drivers pay an average of $414. Manchester has the highest average minimum coverage rate in New Hampshire at $592. Differences in traffic, accident claims, theft, and local repair costs can cause premiums to vary from one city to another.
The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in New Hampshire.
| City | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Claremont | $417 | $35 |
| Concord | $472 | $39 |
| Dover | $481 | $40 |
| Keene | $432 | $36 |
| Laconia | $458 | $38 |
| Lebanon | $414 | $34 |
| Manchester | $592 | $49 |
| Nashua | $552 | $46 |
| Portsmouth | $486 | $41 |
| Rochester | $469 | $39 |
Optional car insurance coverage in New Hampshire
The minimum coverage required in New Hampshire does not protect your vehicle against most types of damage. Optional insurance, such as collision and comprehensive, will pay to repair or replace your car. Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and gap coverage can also help with costs that are not included in a minimum liability policy.
Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:
- Collision coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage. This coverage pays for damage to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
- Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
- Roadside assistance coverage. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery, roadside assistance will send someone to help.
- Gap coverage. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.
Why do limits change?
State lawmakers increase minimum car insurance limits when existing requirements no longer reflect current accident expenses. Rising medical bills, repair costs and vehicle values can make current limits insufficient. Raising the required coverage gives accident victims access to more insurance money and reduces the amount drivers pay.
Methodology
Insurance.com partners with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. National and state average rates are based on state minimum coverage and on the following parameters:
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.
Learn more about our data and methodology.
New Hampshire car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs
Is it mandatory to have car insurance in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire does not require most drivers to carry car insurance. However, drivers are financially responsible for injuries and property damage they cause in an accident. If you choose to purchase insurance or are required to provide proof of insurance following a violation or accident, your policy must meet New Hampshire's minimum coverage requirements.
Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?
Yes, your car insurance will cover an eligible claim when you drive in another state. If the state where the accident occurs requires higher liability limits, your policy will automatically adjust to meet those limits for the claim. However, this does not add collision or comprehensive coverage to a minimum policy.
Compare state minimum requirements with other states
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