Cheap Auto Insurance in New Hampshire

Deciding on the right policy for your lifestyle and budget can take a bit of effort, but it isn’t impossible. Let’s look at how you can get a New Hampshire auto insurance policy for cheap so you can use your savings for something much more exciting than car insurance. A new canoe, anyone?

When it comes to auto insurance, New Hampshire is one of the cheapest places to be. In fact, it’s one of two states that doesn’t legally require residents to carry a policy at all. However, many drivers find they’re better off with some protection than none at all, even if it is legal.

Car insurance is extremely subjective and varies based on the policy, driver, and insurer. However, the cheapest policy will almost always be a minimum coverage one that meets a state’s auto insurance requirements but doesn’t exceed them. The average full coverage policy in the Granite State costs about $1,210 annually, or about $100 monthly. That means a minimum coverage policy, which typically consists of nearly half the coverage, costs about $600 annually or $50 monthly. 

While many residents in the state aren’t required to carry a policy, some are. Specifically, drivers who can’t prove financial responsibility in an at-fault accident or have previously proven themselves a liability on the road without a policy must carry one that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

The minimum legal amount of coverage in the state is $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, $25,000 in property damage liability per accident (25/50/25 liability coverage), $25,000 in uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI/UIMBI) per person, $50,000 in UMBI/UIMBI per accident (25/50 UMBI/UIMBI), and $1,000 in medical payments coverage or MedPay. Those who finance or lease their vehicles may be required by their lender or leaser to carry a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision coverages as part of their legal agreement.

Those who drive without insurance illegally, whether because they don’t have enough savings to prove financial responsibility or because they’ve had previous traffic violations, may face severe legal penalties like fines, fees, and license and registration suspension. High-risk drivers may also require an SR-22 form to be filed on their behalf, thus raising their auto insurance premiums to nearly double or triple the average rate for several years.  

While the cheapest car insurance in New Hampshire will almost always be a minimum coverage policy from a company that offers lower-than-average base rates and plenty of discounts, it may not be the wisest investment. In the Granite State, a minimum coverage policy only contains 25/50/25 liability coverage, 25/50 UMBI/UIMBI coverage, and $1,000 in MedPay. That means drivers have very little coverage for their own expenses, especially in an at-fault accident.

While New Hampshirites aren’t legally required to carry auto insurance, those insured generally opt for a full coverage policy. Many of the top insurers in the state offer full coverage policies with starting rates falling far below the state average and plenty of opportunities for discounts to be stacked onto one’s premium. With discounts applied, the price tag on a full coverage policy is far less intimidating, even for those on a budget. Plus, New Hampshire is one of the cheapest states for auto insurance, so starting rates are already lower than average.

Typically, insurers offer two types of discounts: criteria or enrollment-based. A criteria-based discount requires minimal effort from the policyholder and is awarded if a driver meets a certain set of standards, like those for an active military member or an alumni of a certain university. Some common criteria-based discounts include a student discount, a bundling discount, and a multi-car discount.

In contrast, enrollment-based discounts require policyholders to play a more active role in their savings. For example, many insurers offer a usage-based discount for those who consent to using a telematics device to track their driving habits. Another typical enrollment-based discount is a pay-per-mile discount, for which policyholders may be eligible if they travel fewer than 12,000 miles annually.

While binding a minimum coverage policy is undoubtedly cheaper than springing for the bells and whistles of a full coverage one, full coverage policies offer far more bang for your buck. Having a wide range of coverage types for various accident scenarios is generally a wise investment, especially after stacking several discounts. 

While cheap car insurance in New Hampshire isn’t too tough to find, especially when looking at a minimum coverage policy, as many insurers offer great rates for full coverage policies. Some of the top insurers in the state are State Farm, Nationwide, and Progressive because they offer policies with base rates 30% below the state average. While full coverage policies are almost always more expensive than minimum coverage ones, the investment in one’s safety is generally worth it. 

Since New Hampshire doesn’t have no-fault laws and is instead a tort or at-fault state, at least one driver must be considered at-fault in every accident. This means that drivers required to have a policy must carry liability coverage, which acts as protection for the victim(s) in an accident caused by the policyholder. 

Drivers in the Granite State who must have policies are also required to have UMBI/UIMBI coverage because of the high number of uninsured motorists in the state, as this coverage helps the policyholder pay for any medical expenses they may incur in an accident caused by an uninsured driver. 

The lowest auto insurance rates in New Hampshire will likely be on a minimum coverage policy from State Farm or Nationwide, as the average cost of a policy from both insurers is about 30% less than the state average. However, many insurers offer lower-than-average base rates for both minimum and full coverage policies and offer plenty of opportunities for policyholders to add and stack discounts to reduce their premiums even further. It’s essential to note that premiums are highly subjective based on several factors and will vary significantly from one driver to the next.

Insurers take into account several factors about each driver when determining premiums. Insurers attempt to gather as much information as possible about a driver’s risk of filing a claim. If certain behaviors or characteristics put a driver at a high risk of filing a claim, they’re likely to see higher-than-average premiums. Commonly, insurers use a driver’s insurance history, driving record, ZIP code, gender, and age, among several other factors, when determining their premiums. Statistics regarding one’s age and gender can tell an insurer a lot about how at-risk a driver is for filing a claim.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or on the hunt for the best low-income car insurance in New Hampshire, residents generally find great liability-only policies with insurers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive, among a few others. If you’re only looking at the price tag on an auto insurance policy, the best policy for you will be a minimum coverage policy from an insurer like Geico, which offers lower-than-average base rates and several stackable discounts. While a minimum coverage policy in one of the cheapest states for auto insurance can be extremely affordable, it’s not always the best choice for every driver.

Drivers must decide what they value most in a policy, cost, coverage, or both equally. Those who value cost may likely opt for a policy with the cheapest price tag and most significant discount, those who value coverage will probably go for a policy from an insurer that offers various optional coverages, and those who value both may opt for an insurer that offers excellent coverage types at lower-than-average base rates. Whatever your prerogative may be, it’s always best to do what will give you the most confidence behind the wheel.

Here at Clovered, though, we recommend opting for a full coverage policy because of its wide range of protection. While it may be enticing to opt for a minimum coverage policy or forgo coverage entirely, there may be a better way to save. It’s generally a better investment to make room in one’s budget for a full coverage policy than to risk it all in one at-fault accident. 

If you want to compare New Hampshire auto insurance companies before you purchase a policy, the best way to do so is to gather quotes from several insurers. By getting and comparing quotes online, you can see all the policies you qualify for so you can make the best decision for your needs and budget.

Lucky for you, here at Clovered quotes are our specialty. We even have a free quoting tool you can use to access your unique quotes in minutes. If you’d rather speak with a professional about your quotes, you can contact one of our licensed agents at 833-255-4117 or [email protected].