Minimum Coverage Requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the only state that does not mandate auto insurance for all drivers, but SR-22 filing removes that exemption. If you needed SR-22 for a DUI, at-fault accident without insurance, or license suspension, you were required to carry 25/50/25 liability minimums continuously for the filing period, typically 3 years. Now that your SR-22 requirement has ended, you're no longer legally required to carry insurance unless you have a vehicle loan or lease, but dropping coverage entirely can trigger rate increases if you ever need to buy a policy again.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New Hampshire?
Post-SR22 rates in New Hampshire drop in stages, not all at once. In the first 6–12 months after your filing requirement ends, expect to pay 40–60% more than a driver with a clean record. By year 3 post-SR22, most violations reduce premium impact to 15–25% above baseline, and by year 5, many carriers no longer surcharge the original offense. Shopping immediately after SR-22 ends is critical because non-standard carriers that wrote you during filing often don't offer the best post-SR22 rates.
What Affects Your Rate
- Violation type: DUI surcharges last 5–7 years; at-fault accidents typically 3–5 years
- Time since SR-22 ended: rates drop 10–20% annually in years 1–3 post-filing
- Carrier type: standard carriers offer better post-SR22 rates than non-standard insurers that wrote you during filing
- Coverage continuity: any gap in coverage after SR-22 ends adds 10–20% to new premiums
- Location: Manchester and Nashua average 15–25% higher than rural areas due to accident frequency
- Age and vehicle: post-SR22 drivers under 25 or with vehicles worth over $30,000 face compounded surcharges
Your SR-22 period is ending — you can access standard rates again
Most drivers see significant savings when they transition off SR-22. Compare current rates now.
Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Covers injury and property damage you cause to others. New Hampshire's 25/50/25 minimums were mandatory during SR-22 filing but are now optional unless you finance a vehicle.
Full Coverage
Combines liability, collision, and comprehensive. Protects your vehicle and others, covering most accident and damage scenarios.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers your medical bills and lost wages if hit by a driver without insurance. Not required in New Hampshire but highly recommended.
Comprehensive Coverage
Covers vehicle damage from non-collision events: theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, and animal strikes.
Collision Coverage
Covers vehicle damage from accidents with other vehicles or objects, regardless of who is at fault. Required by lenders until your loan or lease is paid off.
SR-22 Insurance
SR-22 is a filing that proves continuous coverage to the DMV, not a separate insurance type. Once your filing period ended, you no longer need it, but your rates remain elevated.
