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Best car insurance in New Hampshire for 2023
New Hampshire is one of the only states that doesn’t require car insurance. However, drivers in the Granite State may still want to consider investing in a policy to protect their finances in case of a covered event. To help you find the best car insurance in New Hampshire, we researched and reviewed some of the top providers. Based on our findings, some of the best New Hampshire auto insurance providers are USAA, State Farm and Geico.
- Car insurance is not a legal requirement in New Hampshire, but many insurance professionals still recommend that drivers purchase coverage.
- The average annual cost of car insurance in New Hampshire is $1,182 for full coverage and $324 for minimum coverage.
How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in New Hampshire
To find the best car insurance in New Hampshire, Bankrate’s editorial team compared the biggest providers in the state by market share and reviewed them using our unique methodology. Each of the top carriers were given a Bankrate Score out of five points, which is based on factors like cost, customer service, third-party ratings, financial strength and claim handling.
Using Bankrate Scores to guide your search for New Hampshire car insurance may be helpful as companies with high Bankrate Scores have scored well across the board, whereas companies with low Bankrate Scores fall short in at least one category, like affordability or customer service.
Based on our review process and rate data from Quadrant Information Services, the best car insurance companies in New Hampshire are USAA, Geico and State Farm. These providers are highly rated for overall customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and have excellent financial strength ratings from AM Best. In addition, the average rates for these three top providers are below or near the state-wide average rate, which is $1,182 per year for full coverage and $324 per year for minimum coverage.
In the table below, you can see our results for the best auto insurance in New Hampshire.
Car insurance company | Bankrate score | J.D. Power score (New England) | Average annual full coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
---|---|---|---|---|
USAA* | 4.9 | 884/1,000 | $745 | $216 |
State Farm | 4.7 | 838/1,000 | $901 | $274 |
Geico | 4.7 | 827/1,000 | $1,033 | $308 |
Nationwide | 4.4 | N/A | $867 | $410 |
Progressive | 4.3 | 818/1,000 | $1,117 | $368 |
*Not officially ranked with J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions
USAA
USAA received the highest J.D. Power score for customer satisfaction in New England, although it cannot officially rank due to eligibility restrictions. The company only sells policies to current and former members of the U.S. military and qualifying family members. However, drivers who are eligible may find USAA to be the best option for their needs as it has considerably low rates for full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance as well as several products tailored directly to military family needs. Plus, the company offers many potential discounts for additional savings such as a discount for garaging your vehicle on base.
Learn more: USAA Insurance review
State Farm
State Farm earns above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores in the New England region, which includes New Hampshire. It offers a wealth of discounts, including savings of up to 30% for safe driving. State Farm received an A++ (Superior) AM Best rating for financial strength, which is the highest rating an insurance provider can obtain. However, State Farm has limited add-on coverages compared to some of the other providers on our list, so it may not be the best option if you're looking to customize your policy.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Geico
Geico is among the cheapest car insurance companies in New Hampshire, plus there are more than a dozen discounts you can claim for further savings. It earns an above-average overall J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating and an A++ (Superior) rating for financial strength with AM Best, which shows that policyholders are likely to be satisfied with the company’s ability to pay out claims based on its historical financial stability. However, Geico does not offer many add-ons, so you may want to opt for a different provider if you’re looking for endorsements like gap coverage or accident forgiveness.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
Nationwide
Nationwide may offer excellent auto insurance in New Hampshire for drivers who prioritize low rates. Nationwide has some of the cheapest average full coverage premiums in the Granite State. In addition, Nationwide has an excellent selection of endorsements, with potential add-ons like accident forgiveness, a disappearing deductible, gap insurance, and towing and labor coverage. There are also a variety of discounts available that may help you get a less expensive rate.
Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review
Progressive
Progressive is well known for its broad selection of discounts, so while it doesn't have the cheapest rates, you might be able to save a significant amount of money. There are potential savings for good students, safe drivers, vehicle safety features, paying in full, going paperless, owning a home and many others. Plus, the company reports that drivers who participate in Progressive’s Snapshot safe driver program save an average of $156 a year. Progressive is rated below average by J.D. Power for overall customer satisfaction, but it does have an A+ (Excellent) rating for financial strength from AM Best, which may be a good indicator of its ability to pay claims.
Learn more: Progressive Insurance review
Average car insurance cost in New Hampshire
The average cost of car insurance in New Hampshire is $1,182 per year for full coverage and $324 per year for minimum coverage. Compared to the national average, drivers in New Hampshire typically pay significantly less for car insurance. The national average premium is $1,771 for full coverage and $545 for minimum coverage.
When compared to some neighboring states, however, New Hampshire car insurance premiums fall somewhere in the middle. For example, the average cost of car insurance in Massachusetts is $1,296 for full coverage, whereas the average full coverage premium in Vermont is only $1,000.
One of the reasons why car insurance in New Hampshire may be less expensive than the national average is because of the relatively low population density in the state. On the other hand, a higher number of uninsured drivers in the state, as allowed by law, may contribute to rates that are higher than some other states.
Average annual premium for minimum coverage in New Hampshire | Average annual premium for full coverage in New Hampshire |
---|---|
$324 | $1,182 |
How to find the best car insurance in New Hampshire
There are many insurance providers in New Hampshire to choose from. The best car insurance company for you may ultimately depend on your personal preferences and circumstances. The cheapest rates could also vary based on several personal rate factors like where you live, the kind of car you have, your driver record, and credit score.
Consider minimum insurance requirements in New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the only states in the U.S. that does not legally require minimum car insurance coverage. However, drivers who don’t purchase car insurance in New Hampshire must demonstrate that they can provide sufficient funds in the event of an at-fault accident.
Consider lender requirements
If you lease or finance a car in New Hampshire, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage car insurance including collision and comprehensive coverage. When deciding how much coverage you need, it’s always a good idea to purchase higher policy limits for more financial protection if you cause an accident.
Consider your individual needs
Every driver has unique car insurance needs, and it’s important to consider your personal car insurance requirements when choosing coverage.
For example, high-risk drivers might purchase higher coverage limits to get increased protection if they have a history of accidents. Similarly, parents of new drivers might also raise their coverage limits while their teen practices behind the wheel.
Similarly, your budget can also impact your car insurance needs. If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance premium, it’s important to shop around and get multiple quotes. You might also choose a higher deductible to get a lower monthly premium.
Car insurance discounts in New Hampshire
Many of the cheapest car insurance companies in New Hampshire also offer discounts to help you save on your New Hampshire car insurance policy. Here are some of the common discounts you may see:
- Young driver discounts: Some car insurance companies offer special discounts for parents who add a young driver to their policy. Most often, this is in the form of a good student discount for teen drivers who get good grades in school.
- Safe driver discounts: Drivers who have no recent insurance claims, accidents or tickets on their record can usually qualify for a safe driver discount. There are also safe driver programs that use a telematics device to track your driving behavior during trips.
- Other discounts: Many insurance providers offer discounts to drivers for having specific safety features in their car like anti-lock brakes, airbags and an anti-theft system. You can also find savings for bundling your policies and insuring multiple vehicles.
Each of the New Hampshire car insurance companies on our list offers a unique combination of discounts. The best discounts for you will likely vary based on individual characteristics, so it may be most helpful to speak with an insurance agent about which deals apply to you.