Car Insurance in Brookline, NH

Anyone can be involved in a collision. That is why car insurance can prove beneficial. A good policy can shield you from significant financial losses whether you cause a multi-car collision on the highway, find yourself in a fender-bender in a parking lot, or anything in between.

Choosing the right car insurance is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can obtain customized quotes from multiple insurance providers to ensure that you get the coverage you want at a competitive price. Find an independent insurance agent near you to learn more.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Brookline, NH?

The good news for vehicle owners in Brookline is that the average cost of car insurance in New Hampshire is well below the national rate.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• New Hampshire's average annual car insurance cost: $905

Of course, an average can only give you a ballpark idea of what insurance companies might expect you to pay. Your rates can be influenced by several factors, such as:

• Your vehicle's make, model, year, and value
• Your age, occupation, gender, marital status, and driving history
• Your insurance claims history and credit score
• The estimated number of miles you drive your car each year
• The accident and auto theft rates in the vicinity of your home
• The amount and types of coverage you are purchasing
• Whether you are bundling your coverage with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance or qualify for other potential car insurance discounts.

Comparing rates from various insurance companies lets you be sure you are getting your policy at a competitive price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Brookline, NH?

Unlike other states, New Hampshire does not require vehicle owners to carry car insurance unless they have been convicted of one of the following crimes:

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• A hit-and-run accident
• Intentionally injuring or killing someone with your vehicle
• A second speeding ticket or other traffic violation

If you are required to carry car insurance in this state, you can instead post a $75,000 security bond or cash deposit with the state treasurer. This money will cover your liabilities if you cause a collision.

Even though car insurance is optional for most drivers in this state, it is highly recommended, and most New Hampshire drivers opt to purchase coverage.

What Does Car Insurance Cover in Brookline, NH?

Car insurance is optional for most drivers in New Hampshire. However, if you do choose to purchase coverage, the state requires you to include the following in your policy:

• Auto liability insurance: This pays for injuries and property damage you may cause to other people if you are at fault for an accident. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UM): This pays for the treatment of injuries sustained by you and your passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in UM bodily injury coverage per person
  • $50,000 in UM bodily injury coverage per accident
  • UM property damage coverage is not available in New Hampshire. Instead, you can be covered against damage to your car by collision insurance if you include it in your policy.
• Medical payments insurance: This helps pay your medical costs if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can pay for things your health insurance may not, like copays, deductibles, and emergency medical services. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage per person

In addition to the coverage mentioned above, most insurance companies offer various options. Examples of the optional coverage you may want to consider include:

• Physical damage insurance: This covers loss or damage to your vehicle. It is typically required by lenders if you are financing your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:
  • Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your car is totaled in a covered event and you still owe more than it is worth.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This covers the cost of assistance if your vehicle breaks down, such as if you get a flat tire or your engine overheats, and you need to call for help.
• Glass replacement insurance: This covers the cost of replacing the safety glass in your car's windows, windshield, or sunroof if it is cracked or broken. Often, this coverage is not subject to a deductible.
• Rental reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having your car repaired following a covered event.
• Umbrella insurance: This is a separate, secondary policy that your car insurance company may offer. It provides an affordable way to significantly boost your liability coverage well beyond the coverage limits of your primary policies.

When deciding which options are a good fit for you, be sure to review the details of what they cover as well as how much each would cost to include in your policy.

What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Brookline, NH?

Unless you are required to carry car insurance due to a traffic violation, there is no penalty for driving without coverage. However, if you cause a collision while driving an uninsured vehicle, you will need to cover any property damage and injuries you may have caused others. This can grow very expensive.

If the state has mandated that you carry coverage and you are involved in an accident while driving uninsured, you can face consequences that include:

• The suspension of your driver's license, vehicle registration, and plates until you have paid all liability expenses and purchased insurance
• Fees of $125 to get your driver's license and vehicle registration reinstated
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 Proof of Coverage form with the NH Division of Motor Vehicles for three years
• Higher car insurance rates        

Even though driving without insurance is legal for most drivers in New Hampshire, this state has a relatively low rate of uninsured drivers.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of New Hampshire drivers who are uninsured: 9.9%

If you have car insurance, the uninsured motorist insurance it includes can ensure that you have immediate coverage for any related medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver.

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What Is the Auto Theft Rate in Brookline, NH?

The auto theft rate in Brookline is lower than the national rate, and the risk is even lower in Brookline. Residents of this city report an average of one stolen vehicle a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
• New Hampshire auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.58
• Brookline, NH auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.37

Although your risk of car theft is low, you should be aware that you cannot be compensated for a stolen car unless your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive (or "other than collision") insurance. This coverage is optional if you own your vehicle outright.

Comprehensive insurance covers far more than just theft. It can also reimburse you for loss and damage to your car due to many other non-collision hazards like floods, windstorms, and falling objects like tree branches.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Brookline, New Hampshire?

The best car insurance companies in New Hampshire are the providers that consistently provide their policyholders with responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and affordable rates.

Local independent agents have working relationships with some of the most highly rated insurance companies in New Hampshire. Therefore, when your agent presents you with policies and prices to review, you can be sure they come from insurance providers you can rely on if you need to file a claim.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Brookline, NH?

Vehicle owners in Brookline can turn to a local independent agent for help when looking for a reliable auto insurance policy that meets their coverage and budgetary needs. These agents are free to work with multiple insurance providers as they shop around to find the best and most affordable policies.

Find an independent insurance agent in or near Brookline to learn more. You can soon be comparing customized car insurance quotes from some of the area's best insurance companies.