High-Risk Auto Insurance in New Hampshire

On average, high-risk drivers in New Hampshire pay 42 percent more for car insurance than low-risk drivers, with an average annual cost of $1,108 and increase to $1,572 after a violation occurs.

High-risk drivers are those with serious violations on their driving record and individuals within the age group of 16-19. Studies show that this age group have a fatal crash rate three times higher per mile driven than drivers ages 20 and older.¹ Even if they have a spotless driving record, the average insurance costs are higher for teenage drivers in the aforementioned age range and severely increase in costs after a violation.

You can expect your New Hampshire car insurance to increase by 11 percent after getting a speeding ticket, 56 percent after an at-fault accident, and 65 percent after a DUI.

It’s more challenging to find an insurance provider if you have a bad driving record. Unlike many other states, New Hampshire doesn’t provide a state-run program for high-risk drivers, as it’s one of two states in the U.S. that doesn’t require car insurance in the first place.

The best way to find an insurance company that wants you as a customer is to contact AutoInsurance.com. We’ll take your information, including your driving history, and match you with an insurer that caters to high-risk or substandard drivers. This is the easiest way to buy New Hampshire auto insurance unless you want to go through the hassle of requesting car insurance quotes from multiple providers.

If you have a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, we might match you with one of the best auto insurance companies for drivers with a DUI. While you’ll pay more due to your driving record, the alternative of proving financial responsibility isn’t an option for most New Hampshire drivers, as it involves demonstrating you meet the state’s requirement of $100,000 to cover your liability.

To do this, you must deposit this amount in either money or securities and give a receipt to the state treasurer. You can either purchase securities from a bank or a trust fund, if you’re fortunate enough to have one.² If you’ve shopped the market and can’t find an insurer that will cover you, proving financial responsibility with the state may be your only option.

1. Get minimum coverage. Although New Hampshire doesn’t require auto insurance, if you buy a policy, it must have the following coverages and liability limits:
   • $25,000 for bodily injury per person
   • $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
   • $25,000 for property damage per accident
   • $1,000 of medical payments coverage³
   • Limits equal to liability coverage for uninsured motorist coverage

   Getting the minimum amount of coverage will be your cheapest option.

2. Take a driver improvement course. You can get up to three points removed from your record by taking a state-approved driver improvement course. Having fewer points on your record means lower insurance rates, as your driver risk classification will decrease. See below to find a class near you.

   Driver improvement program	City	Phone number
   1st Driver Improvement	Concord	(603) 545-8264
   1st Gear Driving School	Amherst	(603) 801-7939
   AAA (American Automobile Association) (Northern New England)	Statewide	(800) 647-4651
   AARP Driver Safety Program	Statewide	(888) 227-7669
   Chico’s Driving Center	Manchester	(603) 624-8268
   Commercial Driving School	Concord	(603) 715-2559
   D&S Driving School	Tilton	(603) 832-3243
   Derry Auto School DBA Harry’s Driving School	Derry	(603) 432-3583
   National Safety Council of Northern New England	Statewide	(800) 834-6472
   Responsible Driving LLC	Twin Mountain	(603) 846-5033

3. Opt for usage-based insurance. Are you part of the 19 percent of people in New Hampshire who work from home? Or maybe you’re part of the 29 percent with a commute that is less than 15 minutes?⁴ In either case, consider usage-based insurance (UBI), which bills you based on your mileage and safe driving habits. UBI is a great option for high-risk drivers because it determines your premium not from your bad driving record but instead on your current driving behaviors.
4. Improve your credit score. Car insurance companies in New Hampshire take many factors into consideration when determining rates, including your age, gender, marital status, coverage limits, ZIP code, and credit history. Improving your credit score signals to providers that you’re less likely to file a claim, which results in a lower premium.

Your driving record includes information about:

• Suspensions
• Revocations
• Restorations
• Convictions
• Accidents
• SR-22 requirements
• Completion of safe driving courses⁶

The good news is that in New Hampshire, points will disappear from your driving record after three years, even without taking a driver improvement course.

If you have a poor driving record, expect to pay more for high-risk auto insurance. However, even if your driving record isn’t clean, points will stay on your record for only three years in New Hampshire, or even less if you complete a driver improvement course. Once the points are removed from your record, your car insurance costs should return to normal. To keep your premium low, practice defensive driving and obey speed limits, even if you’re on one of New Hampshire’s rural roads. To learn more, read our frequently asked questions below.