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New Hampshire is an at-fault (tort) state. It is the only state where most drivers aren't required to buy car insurance (policies that are bought must meet 25/50/25), and the average full-coverage premium is $1,523 a year, 48% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what New Hampshire requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | Not required for most drivers (25/50/25 if you buy it) |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $1,523 a year ($127 a month), 48% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 10.0% (2023), the 40th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
New Hampshire requires no insurance for most drivers. If you do buy a policy, it must provide at least $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 property damage liability, at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to your liability limits (New Hampshire Insurance Department automobile insurance consumer guide; New Hampshire RSA 259:61).
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in New Hampshire is $1,523 a year, 48% below the national average of $2,922. That makes New Hampshire the cheapest of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Even though insurance isn't compulsory for most New Hampshire drivers, going without it means paying personally for any damage or injuries you cause, and an uninsured crash can cost you your license.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with New Hampshire preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
New Hampshire uses modified comparative fault with a 51% bar: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you are more than 50% at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 10.0% of New Hampshire drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 40th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Drivers who aren't insured must still be able to pay for damage they cause. After an accident, an uninsured driver can be required to prove financial responsibility or face suspension under New Hampshire's financial responsibility law (RSA chapter 264). (New Hampshire RSA chapter 264)
Because most drivers aren't required to carry insurance, New Hampshire's consequences come after an accident or a conviction. The DMV can require insurance (an SR-22 filing) after convictions such as DWI, conduct after an accident, or a subsequent reckless operation, and will notify you in writing if you fall under that requirement. (New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, "Insurance Requirements / SR-22")
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in New Hampshire from $1,265 to $1,632 a year, an increase of 29% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
New Hampshire requires an SR-22 when the DMV orders it, for example after a DWI conviction, a conduct-after-an-accident conviction or a repeat reckless operation conviction. (New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles)
New Hampshire uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the New Hampshire Insurance Department. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in New Hampshire.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
