New Hampshire Car Insurance: How to Get the Cheapest Rates

The granite state has much to offer, including no sales tax (don’t visit around the holidays), as well as very cheap car insurance.

Surprisingly, auto insurance is not required in the state, however it has a very small number of uninsured motorists.

In New Hampshire, the average rate (with “full coverage”) is $1,101 per year.

Below is a guide in which we’ll be helping you find the right rate to match the type of coverage you'll need.

What are Average Car Insurance Rates in New Hampshire?

Statewide average premiums in New Hampshire for three popular car insurance coverage levels (all premium information we’ll be providing comes from our sister site, CarInsurance.com.)

• “Full coverage” –100/300/100***, with comprehensive and collision coverage, including a deductible of $500: $1,101 per year
• Liability only, with 50/100/50: $508 per year
• Liability only, using the state minimum coverage levels: $485 per year

***100/300/100 refers to liability coverage levels.

• The first number represents bodily injury or death to one person in a single at-fault accident.
• The second number represents bodily injury or death to two or more people in a single at-fault car accident.
• The third number refers to property damage caused to other vehicles in an at-fault accident.

Full coverage also includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which pays for repairs to your vehicle no matter who is at fault.)

Factors that Will Affect Your New Hampshire Car Insurance Premium

Below are seven factors that will determine the premium you’ll pay for New Hampshire car insurance.

Gender

In most states, gender will play a large role when it comes to your rate.

However, in New Hampshire there’s little to no difference at all.

A 30-year-old male will pay $108 per month for full coverage, while a 30-year-old female will pay $105 per month for the same policy.

Your age

Much like any other state, the younger you are, the higher your rate will be. Drivers under the age of 25 will see the highest rates on premiums in New Hampshire.

For example, an 18-year-old male driver living in Manchester will pay $159 a month, or $1,908 per year, for state minimum coverage. A 30-year-old male also living in Manchester with the same coverage will pay $47 a month, or $564 per year.

Insurance rates will usually start to go up once you reach the age of 65. A 75-year-old male will pay $56 per month, or $672 per year, while a 30-year-old male with the same policy will pay $47 per month, or $564 per year.

Driving history

Insurers will look to your driving record when it comes to your premium.

Tickets can have a major impact on your rate.

Speeding no more than 11 to 29 miles over the limit will result in a 23% premium increase. Speeding 30 miles over the limit will produce a 46% premium increase.

The average increase in New Hampshire is 61% for a DUI/DWI first offense (subsequent offenses will be much higher and carry serious penalties).

At-fault accidents will also cause your premium to rise. A typical car insurance premium in New Hampshire will increase by 29% after an accident claim that’s determined to be your fault.

This average may not apply to you, but it’s a ballpark estimate of what you may see.

Accidents will vary based on property damage and bodily injury. Depending on who you have for an insurer will matter as well, as companies assess risk differently.

Credit history

Your credit score can make a big difference on your premium.

Drivers in New Hampshire with bad credit will pay 60% more on their premium than drivers with good credit.

If you have poor credit, it’s important to compare rates of several companies. You may be able to find the right amount of coverage for a price that will work for you with a different carrier.

Coverage amount

We’ve already listed the factors that will make up the statewide average premium for the most popular coverage. A policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 is $1,101 per year, while liability coverage limits of 50/100/50 is $508.

State coverage for minimum liability is $485 per year.

Going the cheapest route isn't always the best idea. State minimum liability may not be enough. Your net worth should determine your liability limits.

For example, if your net worth is less than $50,000, you might be able to take the state minimum coverage.

If your net worth is between $50,000 and $100,000, choose at least 50/100/50. If it's more than $200,000, choose at least 100/300/100. You don’t want to find yourself with too little coverage. A major lawsuit or claim could force you to pay any out-of-pocket expenses if your policy limits are exceeded.

The covered vehicle(s)

An older vehicle will usually cost less than a brand-new vehicle to insure.

Brand-new cars or certain vehicle types, like SUVs, pickup trucks, sports cars, and luxury cars will cost more to insure than an older sedan.

With the older vehicle, you may not need collision and comprehensive coverage, at least if the vehicle is worth less than $3,000.

The auto insurer

The difference in policies between companies can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Keep in mind that your driver profile is specific to you, and you’ll want to find a company that will best fit your needs. Shopping around and comparing will be a major part of finding the coverage you need.

Below are the average statewide premiums for full coverage (100/300/100) by five major carriers operating in New Hampshire:

• GEICO: $550 per year
• Nationwide: $867 per year
• State Farm: $1,036 per year
• Progressive: $1,465 per year
• Allstate: $1,588 per year

Notice that Allstate, the most expensive provider, charges premiums that are nearly triple those of GECIO, the lowest-cost provider.

Average New Hampshire Car Insurance Rate Based on City

Your location will be one of the variables that makes up your rate. Being within the same state, there can be major variations in premium levels from one city or town to another.

With the statewide average premium at $1,101 in New Hampshire for 100/300/100 coverage, average premiums on a local level are as follows:

• Concord: $1,070
• Keene: $1,084
• Manchester: $1,394
• Nashua: $1,193
• Rochester: $1,119

With Manchester being a more populated area, rates are higher. More people mean more traffic and potential for accidents. More rural and remote areas will have lower rates.

Auto Insurance Laws in New Hampshire

Car insurance laws in New Hampshire require that drivers carry minimum liability coverage limits of 25/50/25 on their vehicle. The minimum car insurance requirements in New Hampshire are listed below:

• Minimum bodily injury liability, one person: $25,000/$50,000
• Minimum bodily injury liability, two or more people: $25,000/$50,000
• Minimum property damage liability: $25,000
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000/$50,000
• Medical payments: $1,000

Basic Information on Optional Coverages in New Hampshire

Just like every other state, there’s a wide range of optional coverages available to add to your policy in New Hampshire. The most popular include:

Collision & comprehensive

These are two separate options that are almost always offered in combination, because each will compensate you for damage to your own vehicle, regardless of fault.

Collision covers your vehicle for damage sustained when your vehicle is in motion, while comprehensive covers it while it’s parked. That can include damage from storms, falling tree limbs, collisions with animals, vandalism or theft.

Though these options are not required by the state, they may be required by your lender if you have a loan or lease.

Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)

Car insurance policies will reimburse you to the value of your vehicle at the time it’s totaled.

But if the amount you owe on the vehicle exceeds value, you’ll be required to pay the difference out-of-pocket. GAP will cover the difference and is usually required if your loan exceeds 80% of the value of the vehicle.

Uninsured/under-insured motorist

New Hampshire does not require car insurance, but it still has a very low rate of uninsured drivers.

Nonetheless, it’s still important to have that coverage in case you find yourself in the situation of having to deal with someone who is either uninsured or underinsured. Many more have only minimal coverage. This provision will protect you if you’re involved in an accident with either type of driver.

Tips to Get the Best Rates on New Hampshire Car Insurance Policies

Below are the most popular strategies to get the best rates on car insurance in New Hampshire:

Drive safely

Your driving record will be the most important factor when it comes to your premium. Drive safe and avoid any violations or at-fault accidents.

A clean driving history for 3 years or more will provide you with the best rates available.

Shop between companies

As we saw above, the difference between two insurance companies can easily be $1,000 (or more) for the same coverage. Shop around and see who has the best rates.

In fact, plan to shop every couple of years to take advantage of any significant changes in premiums.

Complete a safe driver course

If you have a poor driving history, your insurance company may allow you to complete an approved safe driver course.

The best part:

It could lower your premium by 10% or more.

Just make sure the course you take is one specifically approved by your insurance company. The loss of need to consider the cost of the course, compared with the expected amount of premium savings.

Raise your deductible

By increasing your deductible from, say, $500 to $1,000, may save you hundreds of dollars per year in premium costs.

It’s an especially good strategy if you have a good driving record and are not frequently involved in at fault accidents.

Discounts

Most insurance companies provide multiple discounts on premiums.

Check with your insurer to see how many discounts they have available. Take advantage of any and all that apply to you.

Maintain clean credit

You can pay 60% more for car insurance in New Hampshire for having poor credit.

Keeping your credit clean for at least the last two or three years will help you secure a better rate.

Bottom Line

New Hampshire already offers some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country.

That said, you should still actively pursue the lowest-cost coverage available. But you’ll want to make sure you have enough coverage to keep yourself adequately protected at the same time.

It can be a tough balancing act, but one well worth creating.