Auto Insurance Requirements In New Hampshire: What You Need To Know

Unlike most other states in the US, drivers in New Hampshire are not required to carry auto insurance. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you are convicted of certain driving violations, such as driving while intoxicated, a second speeding ticket, or other traffic violations, you will need to purchase an insurance policy. In the event of an accident, you are responsible for covering the costs of any bodily injury or property damage. Without insurance, you may be required to pay for repairs to your own vehicle, as well as legal fees if a lawsuit is brought against you.

New Hampshire auto insurance law

New Hampshire is the only state in the US that doesn't require drivers to carry auto insurance, living up to its "live free or die" motto. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you don't have insurance, you must provide proof that you can cover the New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Requirements. This means that you must be able to show you have the funds to cover the state's financial responsibility requirements if you are at fault in an accident. The minimum requirements are $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. You will also need to have $1,000 or more for medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist coverage with limits that match bodily injury.

If you are required to have insurance and are caught without it, you will lose your driving privileges and pay a fee to get them reinstated. If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, the state may suspend your driver's license and vehicle registration until you have paid for any damage and filed an SR-22 form, which acts as proof of insurance.

The best way to cover the costs of an accident is to have auto insurance. The New Hampshire Department of Safety strongly recommends that all vehicle owners have liability insurance and property damage insurance. The state also requires drivers in certain groups to show proof of insurance, including drivers with a DWI on their record and drivers convicted of certain offenses, such as leaving the scene of an accident or reckless operation.

Even though auto insurance is not required in New Hampshire, it is always in your best interest to be covered. Auto insurance will protect you from financial liability in the event of an accident.

Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law

New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate auto insurance for all drivers. Instead, it requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident. This is known as the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL).

The MVFRL requires drivers to prove financial responsibility, which means they can pay for personal injuries and property damage they cause in an accident. This can be done by purchasing and maintaining an auto insurance policy or depositing money or securities with the state treasurer. The law is triggered when a driver is found at fault in an accident and must provide proof of financial responsibility.

The state recommends that all vehicle owners have liability insurance and property damage insurance. The minimum coverage requirements for an auto insurance policy in New Hampshire are:

• $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
• $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for an accident involving multiple people
• $25,000 in property damage coverage
• $1,000 in medical payments coverage to pay your own medical bills in an accident

There are some exceptions to the rule, and certain groups of drivers are required to show proof of insurance. This includes drivers with a DWI on their record, those convicted of certain offences, and drivers who are at fault for an accident and do not have insurance. These drivers must file proof of insurance for at least three years.

It is important to note that even though New Hampshire does not require auto insurance, it is still in a driver's best interest to be covered. Without insurance, drivers are responsible for all costs associated with an accident, including repairs to their vehicle and legal fees if a lawsuit is brought against them.

Proof of financial responsibility

In New Hampshire, proof of financial responsibility is required in the event of specific driving convictions. The state's Division of Motor Vehicles will notify you in writing if you fall under an insurance filing requirement. A Driver Record Report will indicate whether or not proof of financial responsibility is required.

If you are placed under a filing requirement, your license and registration privileges cannot be restored or retained until this requirement is met. You must then contact an insurance representative to assist you in this process. The insurance company chosen must be licensed to operate in New Hampshire, and the only document accepted is the uniform SR-22 certificate.

The SR-22 certificate is a proof of insurance that demonstrates you have the minimum required auto insurance. The SR-22 is only obligatory if the state or court orders it after a major driving violation. The two types of SR-22 certificates are "Owner SR-22" and "Operator SR-22." An Owner SR-22 allows the person filing to own, register, and operate a vehicle, while an Operator SR-22 only permits vehicle operation.

Some of the convictions that require filing proof of insurance (SR-22) include:

• Leaving the scene of an accident
• A second offence of reckless operation
• Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs
• Failing to stop and report when involved in an accident
• A second time driving at an excessive rate of speed

If you are required to show proof of insurance, you will need to fill out the SR-22 form, guaranteeing insurance coverage for the next three years.

Required auto insurance minimums

Unlike most other states, New Hampshire does not require drivers to have auto insurance. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If you are convicted of certain driving violations, such as driving while intoxicated, a second speeding ticket, or other traffic violations, you will need to purchase an insurance policy.

If you do not have insurance, you must provide proof that you can cover the costs associated with bodily injury and property damage in the event of an accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, replacement household and childcare services, and other out-of-pocket expenses. The minimum coverage required in New Hampshire is $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. This is often referred to as "25/50/25 liability coverage".

In addition to liability insurance, New Hampshire law also requires drivers to have uninsured motorist insurance and medical payments insurance. Uninsured motorist insurance covers bodily injury damages if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver, while medical payments insurance covers accident-related medical bills for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault. The minimum coverage for medical payments insurance is $1,000 per person.

While auto insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, it is always recommended. If you are in an accident, insurance will protect you from having to pay out of pocket for repairs and legal fees.

Consequences of driving without insurance

New Hampshire is the only US state that doesn't require drivers to have auto insurance. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, drivers convicted of certain offenses, such as a DWI or leaving the scene of an accident, are required to have insurance. If you're in one of these groups and are caught driving without insurance, you will face legal consequences.

If you are required to have insurance and are caught driving without it, you will lose your driving privileges. To get them reinstated, you will have to pay a fee. If you cause an accident while driving without insurance, the state may suspend your driver's license and vehicle registration until you have paid for any damage and filed an SR-22 form. This form acts as proof that you have purchased car insurance. The most basic policy you can buy in New Hampshire includes:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

If you are at fault for the collision and the other party decides to sue, your suspension will last until you pay for the damages. This may involve compensating the other party up to the amounts covered by a basic auto insurance policy.

If you are caught driving without insurance in New Hampshire, you can expect the following:

• Suspension of driving privileges
• Suspension of your license plate, vehicle registration, and driver's license until the judgment and requirements are fulfilled
• A license/operation privileges reinstatement fee
• A registration restoration fee

You can appeal the suspension by requesting an administrative hearing within 10 days of the accident report. To prepare for the trial, you may need to purchase the following documents from the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles:

• A driver report record for $15
• A copy of your crash report for $5 for the first five pages and $1 for each additional page

After satisfying the judgment, you can begin the process of reinstating your license and registration by purchasing a valid insurance policy and asking your insurer to file an SR-22 form. You must submit proof of insurance to the court, along with receipts for your paid reinstatement fees, which include a $100 license/operation privileges fee and a $25 registration privilege restoration fee.

Frequently asked questions