Best car insurance in New Hampshire (2024)

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Jessica OlivoFreelance contributorJessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

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Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|3 min read

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New Hampshire drivers pay an average of $1,284 per year for full coverage car insurance, which makes New Hampshire one of the cheaper places to get car insurance in the country.

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The best way to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies before you buy a policy. Policygenius can help you see rates from top car insurance companies so you can be sure you’re making a smart decision.

Key takeaways

  • USAA has the lowest average rate in New Hampshire, at $676 per year, while State Farm is the cheapest company for drivers not affiliated with the military

  • Car insurance could cost you more in New Hampshire if you have a poor credit score

  • New Hampshire is one of only two states that doesn’t legally require car insurance, but drivers who do purchase insurance must meet state minimum requirements

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in New Hampshire

Car insurance rates are calculated using a number of factors — some can change over time, like your age or credit score, and some are beyond your control.

The lowest average rate in New Hampshire is $676 with USAA, but because car insurance rates are so personalized, the cheapest car insurance company for each driver can vary.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

USAA

$676

890

State Farm

$750

882

MMG

$833

--

Safety Insurance

$871

--

GEICO

$906

874

Cheapest car insurance companies by age in New Hampshire

Young drivers often see the biggest price tags simply because they are new to driving. Less experience on the road means more chances for an accident, but rates for young drivers typically fall over time as they age.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

Concord Group

$2,401

18

MMG

$1,789

21

USAA

$1,165

25

USAA

$883

30

USAA

$715

35

USAA

$672

45

USAA

$642

55

USAA

$610

60

USAA

$608

65

USAA

$631

70

USAA

$699

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Choosing the right car insurance company in New Hampshire

There’s no one right car insurance company for every driver, so the best way to choose the right car insurance policy for you is to shop around and compare options before you buy. The best one is whichever offers you the most coverage at the lowest rates, plus any special perks or add-ons you’re looking for.

Policygenius can help you understand your options and compare coverage so you can be sure you’re choosing the right policy for you.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in New Hampshire

Having a clean driving record is one of the best ways to save money on your car insurance. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and they can affect your insurance rates. An at-fault accident or a serious violation like a DUI can raise your car insurance costs by hundreds of dollars each year.

Violation

USAA

State Farm

MMG

Safety Insurance

GEICO

At-fault accident

$1,009

$967

$1,526

$1,767

$1,660

DUI

$1,172

$1,357

$1,732

$3,131

$2,101

Suspended license

$1,110

$1,092

$1,732

$3,131

$1,825

Open container

$982

$762

$1,732

$1,166

$2,101

Expired registration

$829

$762

$1,127

$871

$1,166

Driving without lights

$829

$762

$1,127

$871

$1,166

Running a red light

$829

$762

$1,127

$871

$1,166

Following too closely

$829

$762

$1,127

$871

$1,166

Hit and run

$1,220

$1,357

$1,732

$3,131

$2,101

Not-at-fault accident

$720

$762

$1,024

$871

$975

Passing a school bus

$982

$962

$1,732

$871

$1,166

Reckless driving

$982

$1,092

$1,732

$1,166

$2,101

Speeding

$829

$762

$1,327

$871

$2,101

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in New Hampshire

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

USAA

$1,172

State Farm

$1,357

MMG

$1,732

GEICO

$2,101

Safety Insurance

$3,131

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in New Hampshire

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$762

USAA

$829

Safety Insurance

$871

MMG

$1,327

GEICO

$2,101

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New Hampshire

Drivers with low credit scores may see higher rates for their car insurance, which makes it all the more important for drivers with poor credit to shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

USAA

$1,262

GEICO

$1,339

Safety Insurance

$1,485

MAPFRE

$1,504

Concord Group

$1,611

Car insurance costs in New Hampshire cities

Local factors like the rates of accidents and claims, reports of car theft and vandalism, and even the cost of car repairs in your area will affect what you’ll pay for coverage. Here’s what drivers pay for coverage in the largest cities in New Hampshire:

  • Manchester: $1,504

  • Nashua: $1,337

  • Concord: $1,195

  • Derry: $1,392

  • Dover: $1,326

  • Rochester: $1,308

  • Salem: $1,455

  • Merrimack: $1,295

  • Londonderry: $1,360

  • Hudson: $1,351

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Buying car insurance in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of the few states in the country in which car insurance is not legally mandated. While it’s your choice whether or not to purchase insurance in New Hampshire, driving uninsured is not recommended.

Any driver who is at fault for a car accident is still responsible for any medical bills and car repairs incurred in the crash. Without insurance, this means you could be personally on the hook for thousands of dollars in repair costs or medical bills. New Hampshire drivers who choose to buy car insurance must meet the following minimum amounts of coverage:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $25,000

  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Legally optional, but, if purchased, $1,000 per accident for medical expenses solely

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Legally optional, but, if purchased, must match your liability limits

Any New Hampshire resident who can’t afford their insurance premiums and meets the eligibility criteria is able to purchase insurance through the New Hampshire Automobile Insurance Plan, a low-cost alternative for drivers who can’t find coverage elsewhere.

How to get cheap car insurance in New Hampshire

When shopping around, be sure to inquire about any applicable discounts. Some of the most common car insurance discounts include:

  • Safe driver: Most companies will provide a discount for having a clean driving record 

  • Good student: Discounts are often awarded to high school or college students with good grades

  • Multi-car: Savings for insuring more than one vehicle on the same policy

  • Bundling: A discount for getting more than one insurance policy, like both your home and auto coverage, from the same company

Frequently asked questions

Why should I get insurance if it’s not required in New Hampshire?

Just because you’re not required to have insurance doesn’t mean you won’t be required to pay the bills from an accident. If you cause a car crash that injures another driver or damages their car, you still have to cover the cost, and the best way to do that is to have insurance.

How long does a violation stay on my record in NH?

Most companies only look back about three to five years in your recent driving history. If it’s been longer than that since you’ve had a violation, you probably won’t be penalized when it comes to car insurance costs. Some violations (like DUIs) stay on your record up to ten years.

Why is insurance higher in Manchester?

Not only is Manchester the most densely populated city in New Hampshire, it also has a higher crime rate than many of its neighbors. These two factors combined make owning a car there a bigger risk than other cities.

How much is car insurance per month in New Hampshire?

Drivers in New Hampshire pay an average of $107 per month for car insurance, or $1,284 per year.

Authors

Jessica Olivo is a writer living in Connecticut. She specializes in web and blog content in a variety of topics such as parenting, business, and culture, as well as serialized and short fiction.

After working in publishing and book publicity for many years, she transitioned to freelance writing full time.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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