Alyssa Lane
Unlike most other states, auto insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, instead embracing a Live Free or Die motto. However, drivers must demonstrate that they can handle their financial responsibilities in the event of an accident, which is known as the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (FRL). This means that drivers must prove they can pay for personal injuries and property damage they cause in an accident. This can be done by depositing money or securities with the state treasurer or by purchasing auto insurance. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Hampshire, it is necessary to provide complete insurance information or indicate that the driver/vehicle owner does not have insurance coverage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (FRL) | Drivers must demonstrate they can handle financial responsibilities in case of an accident |
| Insurance Requirements | Not mandatory, but must comply with FRL |
| Accident Insurance Verification | Necessary to provide complete insurance information or indicate no coverage |
| Insurance Information Submission | Online or via Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) |
| Minimum Coverage Requirements | $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident |
| Minimum Coverage Requirements | $25,000 property damage coverage per accident |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage | Required with bodily injury limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident |
| Liability Coverage | Protects the other driver, their car, and passengers |
| Additional Coverage Options | Collision, Comprehensive, Medical Payments (MedPay) |
| Full-Coverage Policy | Includes liability, UM, MedPay, and Collision Insurance |
| New Car Replacement | Allows purchase of a new car instead of a check for depreciated value |
| Rental Reimbursement | Helps pay for a rental car during repairs |
| Exceptions | DWI convictions require proof of insurance for three years |
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![Annual report of the Insurance Commissioner of the State of New Hampshire. Volume 29 (1898) 1898 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nNKsF6dYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Annual report of the Insurance Commissioner of the State of New Hampshire. Volume 53 (1904) 1904 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61kelb6mFML._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
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, i.e., proof of financial responsibility. This means that the driver must be able to pay for personal injuries and property damage they cause in an accident.
The Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (FRL) requires that the owner of a registered motor vehicle must comply with the state's laws. There are different ways to comply with the law. One way is to deposit money or securities with the state treasurer. The other way is to buy an auto insurance policy with the minimum coverages New Hampshire's FRL requires. This includes liability, UM, and MedPay.
In New Hampshire, after a driver is found at fault in an accident, they must provide proof of financial responsibility. This means proof that they can provide sufficient funds to cover damages resulting from accidents that occur in the state and arise from the ownership, maintenance, control, or use of a motor vehicle. The amount of proof one must provide is $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more people in any one accident, and $25,000 for injury to or destruction of property.
Auto insurance may be required as the result of a conviction, accident, or administrative action. For example, the DMV may suspend the driver's license and vehicle registration of a person who is convicted of driving while intoxicated, vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, or second and subsequent offenses of reckless operation of a motor vehicle. In these cases, the driver must provide proof of financial responsibility in the form of auto insurance. This requirement remains in place for three years from the date of the accident, final conviction, or administrative action.
If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in New Hampshire, it is necessary to provide complete insurance information or indicate that the driver/vehicle owner does not have insurance coverage. You can submit insurance information online or complete the Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) and mail it to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
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Accident Insurance Verification
In New Hampshire, auto insurance is not mandatory. However, drivers are still required to demonstrate financial responsibility in the event of an accident, as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (FRL). This means that if you are involved in a reportable motor vehicle accident, you must provide complete insurance information or indicate that you do not have insurance coverage.
To provide your accident insurance information, you can submit your insurance information online at nh.gov or complete the Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) and mail it to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
It is important to note that New Hampshire has specific minimum requirements for liability coverage, which includes bodily injury liability, total bodily injury per accident, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist bodily injury liability. The current minimum coverage limits are $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident, $25,000 for property damage, and $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person and $50,000 per accident. These minimum coverage requirements are designed to protect the other driver, their car, and their passengers.
While auto insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, purchasing insurance can provide protection against lawsuits and financial peace of mind. Uninsured motorist coverage is particularly important, as it will cover your bodily injury damages if you are hurt in a collision caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Additionally, collision insurance can help pay for repairs or the replacement of your vehicle, even if you are at fault in the accident. Comprehensive insurance is also an option, which covers non-accident-related incidents such as theft, vandalism, or weather damage.
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Minimum liability coverage
Although auto insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire, it is highly recommended. The state still has minimum liability coverage requirements for those who choose to purchase it. The minimum liability coverage in New Hampshire is as follows:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person: This is the amount your insurance company will pay for the injuries incurred by a single person in an at-fault accident.
- $50,000 total bodily injury liability per accident: If more than one person is injured in an accident, this is the total that your insurer will pay for all injuries in a single accident.
- $25,000 property damage liability: This coverage pays for damage to another person's property, such as their car, fence, or light post.
- $1,000 medical payments (MedPay) coverage: MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It can also help with health insurance deductibles and copays.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance with bodily injury limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident: UM insurance protects you in case of an accident caused by an uninsured or unidentified ("hit-and-run") driver. It covers your bodily injury damages up to your coverage limit. Note that UM insurance does not cover property damage; separate insurance is required for that.
It is important to remember that the minimum liability coverage may not be sufficient in accidents involving significant injuries, extensive property damage, or newer model vehicles. The suggested minimums may be quickly exceeded by the high cost of healthcare and the value of modern cars. Therefore, it is advisable to consider additional coverage options to protect yourself financially in case of unforeseen events.
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Uninsured motorist coverage
In New Hampshire, if you have auto insurance, you are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This is to protect you, your family members, and your passengers in the event that you are injured by an at-fault driver operating their vehicle without auto insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM coverage, is designed to take the place of an uninsured driver's liability insurance. This means that if you are hurt in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, your UM insurance will pay for bodily injury damages, up to your coverage limit.
The minimum UM coverage limit in New Hampshire is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. However, it is recommended that you carry more than the minimum coverage, as the cost of injuries from an accident can quickly exceed this amount. For example, if you only have the minimum UM coverage limit of $25,000 and you incur $50,000 in medical bills due to an accident with an uninsured driver, you will still have $25,000 in injuries that you will need to pay for out of pocket.
In addition to UM coverage, it is also important to consider Medical Payments coverage, or MedPay. MedPay covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. It can also cover health insurance deductibles and copays. The minimum MedPay coverage required in New Hampshire is $1,000, but higher limits can provide greater protection.
To fully protect your vehicle in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may also want to consider collision coverage. Collision coverage helps pay for the cost to repair or replace your car after a collision, even if you were at fault. It is important to note that UM coverage and MedPay do not include protection for physical damage to your car.
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Collision, comprehensive, and medical insurance
Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another object, such as a telephone pole, guard rail, or mailbox. It also covers damage caused by potholes. If your car is totaled, collision insurance will typically pay out the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus your collision deductible. This type of insurance is particularly important if you are at fault in an accident, as it covers the cost of repairing or replacing your car, regardless of fault. It is also useful if you are not sure you could afford a new car or major repairs after a crash.
Comprehensive insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your car caused by incidents other than collisions, such as natural disasters, vandalism, or falling objects like trees. It is often referred to as "acts of God" coverage. Comprehensive insurance is valuable if you live in an area with a high risk of natural disasters, extreme weather, or wildlife hazards. Lenders may also require a comprehensive plan if you are still paying off a loan for your vehicle.
Medical payments insurance, or MedPay, is required in New Hampshire. This type of insurance covers the cost of medical payments for bodily injuries sustained in an accident, up to a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. MedPay is designed to provide financial protection for yourself and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident. It is an essential component of auto insurance, ensuring that you can receive the necessary medical treatment without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
To verify insurance information in the event of a motor vehicle accident in New Hampshire, you must provide complete insurance information or indicate a lack of insurance coverage for each vehicle involved. This can be done by submitting the Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) online or by mail.
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Frequently asked questions
No, New Hampshire does not mandate auto insurance. However, drivers must demonstrate that they can handle financial responsibilities in case of an accident, which is known as the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (FRL).
The minimum insurance requirements in New Hampshire are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 total bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage coverage per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage with bodily injury limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
After an accident, you must provide complete insurance information for each vehicle involved. You can submit this information online or by completing the Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) and mailing it to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
