Understanding New Hampshire Automobile Insurance

You may know that New Hampshire doesn’t require motor vehicle insurance. That makes the state unusual–minimum levels of automobile insurance coverage are mandatory in nearly every state. In practice, though, car insurance in New Hampshire works pretty much the same way as in other states. In fact, New Hampshire drivers carry automobile insurance at higher rates than drivers in many states where coverage is mandatory.

Here’s what you need to know about how New Hampshire motor vehicle insurance, why most drivers pay for it even though it’s not required, and what to do if you’re in a collision with an uninsured motorist.

Uninsured Motorists in New Hampshire and Around the Country

According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 14% of drivers across the country are uninsured. That’s more than 30 million people operating motor vehicles without insurance. 

That figure is far from uniform across the country, though. New Hampshire ties with Nebraska for the fifth-lowest rate in the nation, at 7.8%. Though it’s a very low rate compared with many other states, it’s trending upward. Just a few years ago, New Hampshire’s uninsured motorist rate was 6.1%. At the opposite end of the spectrum, four states and the District of Columbia have uninsured motorist rates above 20%. 

Uninsured Motorists Still Present a Risk in New Hampshire

While the rate of uninsured motorists in the state is lower than in most other states, the number is not negligible. That 7.8% represents more than 90,000 drivers on New Hampshire roads without automobile insurance. That can be bad news for both the uninsured driver and others involved in a crash.

Choosing Automobile Insurance in New Hampshire

If you choose to buy motor vehicle insurance in New Hampshire, there are some legal requirements. At a minimum, you must purchase at least:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury, up to a total of $50,000 if 2 or more people are hurt
• $25,000 for property damage
• $1,000 in no-fault medical pay coverage
• Uninsured motorist coverage in the same amount as your bodily injury liability coverage

You also have the option of purchasing higher limits on the coverages listed above, and that’s often advisable. The minimum coverage limits don’t go far if someone is seriously injured, or a new SUV is totaled in the crash. And a single visit for the emergency room after a collision could cost much more than the $1,000 minimum for no-fault medical coverage.

You may also choose to purchase additional types of insurance such as: 

• Collision coverage, which covers damage to your vehicle sustained in a motor vehicle crash
• Comprehensive coverage, which covers physical damage to your vehicle sustained in other ways, such as through hail damage or a tree branch falling on the roof of your car
• Towing coverage, which pays for a tow and associated labor if your vehicle is disabled on the road
• Rental reimbursement, which covers the cost of a rental car (up to a specific limit) while your vehicle is being repaired

Note that while these types of coverage aren’t legally required even for those who choose to purchase insurance, both collision coverage and comprehensive coverage are typically required by lenders if there is a lien on the vehicle. The coverage helps protect the lender’s security interest if the vehicle is damaged before the loan is paid off. 

What to Do If You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver

If you have your own motor vehicle insurance, uninsured motorist coverage is part of the mandatory minimum package. That means your own insurance company will provide coverage when the responsible driver is uninsured or doesn’t have adequate insurance to cover the policyholder’s damages. 

You may also be able to collect compensation directly from the driver who was responsible for your accident. You can’t “double dip,” though. For example, you can’t collect reimbursement for the same medical bill from both the driver and your uninsured motorist carrier. 

If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident and suffered significant losses, it is in your best interest to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Whether you will be making a claim with the other driver’s insurance carrier, filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, or pursuing compensation directly from the driver, the process can be complicated. Simple, innocent mistakes can seriously harm your case. 

You might expect that you’ll have an easier time getting compensation when filing a claim under your own insurance policy, but that isn’t always true. Insurance companies improve their bottom lines by minimizing the compensation they pay out. 

Help for New Hampshire Car Accident Victims

To schedule a free consultation with attorney Kevin P. Broderick, just call 978-459-3085 right now. Kevin has been helping people who were injured in Massachusetts and New Hampshire car accidents for decades, and can provide the knowledge, guidance, and determination you need.