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SR-22 Insurance in New Hampshire
While the state has no official automobile insurance law or requirements, SR22 insurance in New Hampshire might be required if you have committed a qualifying violation while driving. SR-22 rates will be charged by your insurance company if this happens, so be sure to communicate your new insurance needs to your current provider or to any new insurance company you decide to work with when you need the SR22.
If you need to know how to get SR22 insurance, review the appropriate sections below to get your documentation in order as quickly as possible. If you are not sure who needs SR22 insurance, first review the reasons to see if this specific type of insurance form applies to your needs or not. Getting an SR22 form is not overly difficult once you understand the requirements and what might be involved in terms of costs and steps to take.
What is New Hampshire SR22 insurance?
New Hampshire SR-22 insurance is also known as proof of financial responsibility, meaning that you have verifiable proof of your liability insurance coverage in the form of an SR22 certificate.
SR22 insurance in New Hampshire is not an actual type of insurance, but rather a certificate that proves you hold the liability insurance required by the state. The certificate must be for one of the following:
- Owner: This certificate must clearly state that you are covered for any vehicles you own.
- Operator: This certificate must clearly state that any vehicle you drive is covered by the liability insurance plan.
Note that the terms used by an insurance provider might differ, but your SR22 must be one of the two aforementioned certificates. Also, note that your New Hampshire SR22 form is valid until it is canceled with an SR26 certificate instead.
Who needs SR22 insurance in New Hampshire?
The state does not require insurance coverage of all drivers, but you might be notified in writing that you need NH SR22 insurance. This is because of an issue you have had that resulted in the DMV requiring proof of your coverage. If you do receive a written notice for SR-22, then you likely did one or more of the following:
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): If you were convicted of a DWI in NH, you will be required to prove your liability insurance for a minimum of three years, depending on whether this is your first offense or a subsequent offense.
- Habitual Offender: If you have been decertified as a habitual offender, then you must provide the SR22 proof of insurance for a minimum of three years from the date of your hearing in order to restore your driving privileges.
- Administrative Actions: You might be required to prove your insurance with an SR22 form after administrative actions, such as demerit points.
- At-Fault Accidents: If you did not hold insurance and were found to be at-fault in an accident, you will be required to prove your liability insurance with an SR-22 for a minimum of three years from the date of the accident.
- Other Issues: At the discretion of the DMV, you might be required to submit proof of insurance based on your driving record and history.
Reinstating Driving Privileges With SR22 in New Hampshire
If your license has been suspended or revoked due to any of the aforementioned problems, you will have to procure the SR22 form and meet all other DMV requirements in order to try to reinstate your driving privileges. With very narrow exceptions, the state of New Hampshire does not offer any type of restrictive or limited license to use during a suspension or revocation period.
Once your suspension or revocation period ends, you can reinstate your driving privileges based on the requirements per your particular situation. Generally speaking, you will have to do all of the following:
- File the SR22 insurance form for the entire time frame outlined by the DMV.
- Pay any fees or penalties related to an accident or another fine.
- Pay a reinstatement fee.
- Complete any required education or training according to your violations.
- Take any tests required by the DMV before your license can be reinstated, which could include the written or practical driving tests.
How to Get SR22 Insurance in New Hampshire
To obtain your SR22 form in New Hampshire, you need to first contact an insurance provider, whether that be one you already use for other insurance or a new company. It is a good idea to get SR22 insurance quotes from multiple insurance providers before you make any decisions, since your costs will surely go up with this additional necessity.
The insurance company you use will then be required to submit the SR-22 form to the DMV. There is no specific form to get from the DMV; your insurance provider should know how to prepare and submit the necessary details on your behalf.
You will be required to have an SR22 form on file with the DMV for a minimum of three years from the date of your final conviction or of the accident or of the administrative action taken against you. If you were convicted a second time of a DWI, then you must have the SR-22 form on file for three years from the date your license is eligible for restoration.
Penalties for Not Filing an SR22 Form in New Hampshire
If you choose not to file an SR22 form in New Hampshire, you will also not be able to legally drive within the state. This rule applies to non-residents, too.
If you are convicted of a qualifying offense within New Hampshire and therefore required to submit your SR22 insurance proof, you must do so in order to drive a vehicle on New Hampshire roads. The state where you are resident will be notified of the requirement, so your information will be shared between DMVs.