Category: New Hampshire

New Hampshire Car Insurance

Last updated on November 20th, 2017

New Hampshire Car Insurance – New Hampshire is the only state in the U.S. that does not require residents to maintain minimum levels of coverage on their vehicles. Every other state requires that a vehicle owner meet certain coverage requirements but in New Hampshire residents get to decide for themselves just how much, if any, insurance coverage they want to purchase for their vehicle. The only exceptions to this rule are drivers that have been found guilty of drunk driving or have committed some other driving violation. Drivers with a DUI or other blemishes on their driving record may be required to maintain certain amounts of liability coverage for a set period of time. If a driver is convicted of a qualifying violation they will be notified by the state in writing that they are required to obtain liability insurance. If a driver is convicted of drunk driving for example they will be notified by the state that they are required to maintain liability insurance for a period of three years. A second DUI conviction will result in a New Hampshire motorist having to maintain liability coverage on their vehicle for at least 5 years.

Although car insurance is not required by law in the state of New Hampshire most residents still maintain at least some sort of coverage on their vehicles thanks to the car insurance requirements for banks that supply auto loans. Like most states the institutions that provide auto loans in New Hampshire require that a certain amount of coverage be maintained on the financed vehicle until it has been completely paid off. New Hampshire lenders require buyers to maintain car insurance on financed vehicles in order to protect both the owner and the institution that financed the vehicle purchase. If a vehicle is totaled in a wreck and it is only two months old, if the owner does not have insurance they will not be financially reimbursed for their loss and will still be legally obligated to continue paying for a vehicle that is no longer drivable. Drivers that voluntarily purchase car insurance for their vehicle are encourage by the state to purchase certain amounts of liability coverage with their policy, including $25,000 in individual bodily injury coverage, $50,000 in per accident bodily injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage coverage. These are the levels of coverage that the state estimates every driver should have in order to satisfy any financial responsibility requirements that may result from an accident. The state also recommends that New Hampshire car insurance policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage that is at least equal to the suggested minimum levels of bodily injury coverage. New Hampshire residents that for one reason or another are required to purchase an auto insurance policy must meet these minimum levels for liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage in order for the policy to satisfy state requirements.

Despite the fact that most New Hampshire residents are not legally required to have car insurance on their vehicle if a driver is in an accident and are found to be at-fault they can still be held financially liable for any injuries or damages sustained in the accident. If the at-fault driver in an accident does not have the coverage necessary to cover the injuries and damages to other drivers and their property they will be required to post a bond or cash that is equal to the estimated cost of the accident. New Hampshire motorists that drive without insurance are also susceptible to lawsuits filed by other drivers involved in an accident. An uninsured driver that is responsible for an accident is completely at the mercy of the other drivers in the accident and if fault of the driver can be proven in court they could be hit with financially debilitating penalties. The state may also require an at-fault uninsured driver to file an SR-22 insurance form while also requiring them to purchase an insurance liability policy if they wish to continue to legally operate a vehicle on public roads.

Once a New Hampshire auto insurance policy is purchased by a resident of the state it can be rather hard to cancel, especially if the policy has been active for over 60 days. According to New Hampshire car insurance law an auto insurance policy that has been active for 60 days or more cannot be cancelled except in specific situations. Such a situation includes the failure of the policy holder to pay the policy premiums, though even then the insurance company is required to send advanced notice to the policy holder before the policy can actually be terminated. A policy can also be cancelled upon request of the policy holder or if the policy holder fails to sin a residency form attesting to the fact that they are a legal resident of the state.

Filed under: New Hampshire, Articles, Car InsuranceTagged with: ,

Emissions Testing in New Hampshire

Last updated on April 25th, 2018

In New Hampshire, a vehicle emissions OBD test is required for many original registrations, as well as for annual registration renewals. Inspection stickers indicate by what date an emissions test must be completed.

VEHICLES THAT REQUIRE AN EMISSIONS TEST

A car, truck, motor home or RV (recreational vehicle) requires an OBD emissions test when:

It is a 1996 model or newer.

It runs on gasoline.

It is a 1997 model or newer, runs on diesel fuel, and has a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of up to 8500 lbs.

Emission tests are valid for12 months. A valid test is required to complete an original vehicle registration or registration renewal. Used car dealers are required to issue a valid emissions test for any vehicle they sell. Getting an emissions test is the buyer’s responsibility when the vehicle is purchased from a private owner.

EXEMPTIONS

A vehicle is exempt from emissions testing when it is a 1995 model or older.

Source: http://www.dmv.com/nh/new-hampshire/emissions-testing

Filed under: New Hampshire, Articles

New Hampshire Emissions

Last updated on March 16th, 2021

New Hampshire Emissions

The state of New Hampshire requires OBD testing for many original registrations and for annual registration renewals. Inspection stickers have the expiration date indicated on them and you will need to have the testing completed before the end of the expiration date.

Requirements

There are a number of vehicles that will need to have an emissions test each year. For example, if your vehicle is newer than 1996 or if it runs on gasoline it will need to be tested. It will also need an emissions test if it is newer than 1997, runs on diesel, and is less than 8500 pounds.

Validity

Emissions test are valid in the state of New Hampshire for 12 months. You will need to have one completed when you’re looking to renew your registration or obtain an original registration. Used car dealers are required to provide one for vehicles that they are selling, but it is the buyer’s responsibility if the vehicle has been purchased from a private owner.

If your vehicle is older than 1995, you will not need to have and emissions testing completed.

Currently, there are no regulations regarding the fees that can be charged for vehicle inspection and you will need to compare the prices between different stations. There are many authorized emissions inspection stations that are licensed by the state who can inspect your vehicle.

Failure

For vehicles that failed the emissions test, you will need to have vehicle repaired and after having the vehicle repaired it will need to be retested. You can either repair the vehicle at the station or somewhere else if you choose, but the repairs must be made within the first 60 days after the first inspection. Is also important that your vehicle is repaired by a technician who is OBD trained.

It is also possible to receive an economic hardship waiver if you are unable to pay for necessary repairs within the 60 days’ time period.

Moving to New Hampshire

If you are moving to the state of New Hampshire, you must visit an inspection station within 10 days of registering your vehicle at a New Hampshire DMV. After the inspection has been completed, you will be presented with the proper inspection sticker that will be valid for the length of time that your vehicle registration is valid.

You will be required to have your vehicle re-inspect annually within 10 days of the month you were born in. However, if you have an antique vehicle that you’re registering, the sticker will always expire in the month of April.

Conclusion

There are a number of things that the safety inspection will look for when they are checking your vehicle. These items will help keep you and other passengers in your vehicle safe as well as others on the roadways safe while you’re driving your vehicle.

It is important that you keep up with the exact timeframe when you are required to have your inspection completed so that you are always compliant with the laws that have been put in place. If your inspection sticker expires, you may be subject to a fine that must be paid to the state as well as other penalties.

Filed under: New Hampshire, Articles, State Emissions Testing