If you have bad credit, getting affordable car insurance in New Hampshire can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Many insurers view low credit scores as a sign of higher risk, which can lead to higher premiums, even for safe drivers.
“Bad credit can significantly impact your car insurance costs. Most insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score to help predict risks, in which statistically, drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims,” says Ted Kaplun, principal attorney and founding partner of KaplunMarx, a personal injury law firm in Pennsylvania. “This means insurers often charge higher premiums to those with poor credit, despite a clean driving record.”
This guide highlights the most affordable insurance companies for drivers with bad credit in New Hampshire and explains how to lower your costs with discounts, smart shopping, and safe driving habits.
- The average annual car insurance rate for full coverage for drivers with bad credit in New Hampshire is $2,599.
- The cheapest insurance company in New Hampshire for drivers with poor credit is Auto-Owners.
- Shopping around can help drivers with any credit score find more affordable rates for their situation.
What are the average car insurance rates for people with bad credit in New Hampshire?
On average, it costs an average of $217 per month in New Hampshire for a bad credit driver to insure their vehicle with full coverage. For liability only with limits of 50/100/50, the rate drops to $71 per month and for the state minimum liability only, the monthly rate is $68 per month.
The table below illustrates how average rates for bad credit drivers in New Hampshire tend to rise with poor credit.
| Company | Average rates | Rates after bad credit | $ increase | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $803 | $1,159 | $356 | 44% |
| Nationwide | $1,145 | $1,738 | $593 | 52% |
| Geico | $1,212 | $1,825 | $613 | 51% |
| Progressive | $1,343 | $2,367 | $1,024 | 76% |
| Allstate | $2,123 | $2,929 | $806 | 38% |
| The Hanover | $1,027 | $3,356 | $2,329 | 227% |
| Farmers | $1,954 | $3,579 | $1,625 | 83% |
| State Farm | $1,155 | $4,867 | $3,711 | 321% |
| USAA* | $852 | $1,640 | $788 | 92% |
Find out how bad credit can impact your car insurance rates
Top car insurance companies in New Hampshire for drivers with bad credit
Different insurance companies use various methodologies to evaluate risk. With that, you’ll likely find different rates across insurance companies. The cheapest companies in New Hampshire for drivers with bad credit are Auto-Owners, Nationwide, and Geico.
The table below highlights the average rates by company for bad credit drivers in New Hampshire
| Company | Annual rates after bad credit | Six-month rates after bad credit | Monthly rates after bad credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $1,159 | $579 | $97 |
| Nationwide | $1,738 | $869 | $145 |
| Geico | $1,825 | $913 | $152 |
| Progressive | $2,367 | $1,184 | $197 |
| Allstate | $2,929 | $1,465 | $244 |
| The Hanover | $3,356 | $1,678 | $280 |
| Farmers | $3,579 | $1,789 | $298 |
| State Farm | $4,867 | $2,433 | $406 |
| USAA* | $1,640 | $820 | $137 |
Check out our detailed guide on the cheapest car insurance companies
How age and gender affect car insurance rates with bad credit in New Hampshire
Age and gender are two factors car insurance companies consider when determining premiums. Young drivers pay more for coverage than those with more experience behind the wheel. Female drivers are statistically less likely to get into a serious accident. As a result, women tend to pay less for car insurance coverage than their male counterparts.
The table below highlights the average rates across age and gender for those with bad credit.
| Age | Six-month cost for male drivers | Six-month cost for female drivers | Monthly cost for male drivers | Monthly cost for female drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | $4,179 | $3,673 | $696 | $612 |
| 25 | $1,689 | $1,564 | $282 | $261 |
| 40 | $1,305 | $1,294 | $218 | $216 |
| 65 | $1,211 | $1,184 | $202 | $197 |
How driving record and location influence rates with bad credit in New Hampshire
In addition to credit history, your driving record and location play a significant role in determining car insurance rates, especially for drivers with bad credit. If you’ve had violations like speeding tickets or at-fault accidents, you’ll likely pay more due to the added risk insurers associate with your profile.
Where you live also matters. Car insurance rates vary by state and ZIP code, with rural areas typically seeing lower premiums than urban areas with higher traffic and crime rates.
For drivers with bad credit, driving history and location can sometimes impact premiums even more than credit score alone.
Check out 10 most important factors that affect car insurance rates
What are the discounts for drivers with bad credit in New Hampshire?
While drivers with bad credit might experience higher rates, seeking out discounts can help to offset their costs. Some of the discounts drivers with bad credit can pursue include:
Safe driving discounts: Many car insurance companies offer discounts to safe drivers. If you are comfortable signing up for a telematics program that tracks your driving behavior, you could score significant savings if you practice safe driving habits.
Bundling discounts: If you need other types of coverage, like renters insurance or homeowners insurance, buying multiple policies through the same insurer can often lead to a discount.
Affinity discounts: Being part of a group, like an alumni association or a veteran organization, can sometimes result in a discount.
Pay-in-full discount: Some insurers offer a discount when you pay for coverage upfront instead of monthly.
Paperless discount: Many insurers offer a discount if you opt to go paperless.
See what drivers with bad credit pay on average in nearby states
Tips to find cheap car insurance with bad credit in New Hampshire
As you look for cheap car insurance with bad credit in New Hampshire, use these strategies to seek out lower rates:
- Shop around: Comparing rates across multiple insurance companies can help you find the most affordable rate for your unique situation.
- Raise your deductible: Generally, opting for a higher deductible leads to a lower insurance premium. Locking in the premium savings can make sense if you have the money to cover a higher deductible during an emergency.
- Maintain safe driving habits: Safe drivers tend to pay less for coverage. Sticking to safe driving habits can lead to savings.
How to shop for car insurance with bad credit in New Hampshire
When shopping for car insurance with bad credit in New Hampshire, use the following steps as a guide:
- Gather your information: To get accurate quotes, you must provide basic information about your vehicle. For example, you’ll likely need to provide your car’s VIN, make, model and year.
- Consider your policy needs: While a state minimum coverage policy often offers the cheapest rates, it might not fit your unique situation. For example, you’ll need full coverage while paying off an auto loan.
- Compare quotes: Collect quotes from multiple car insurance companies to find the most affordable option.
Frequently ask questions
Does a bad credit score affect car insurance rates in New Hampshire?
Your credit score can impact your car insurance rate in New Hampshire. Drivers with bad credit generally pay more than those with strong credit histories.
Can you improve your rates with bad credit in New Hampshire over time?
Yes, improving your credit history can lower your insurance premiums in the future. Some ways to improve your credit include making on-time bill payments, paying off high-interest debt as quickly as possible, and then paying off lower-interest debt.
Car insurance rates for good vs. bad credit in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, bad credit drivers pay an average of $2,599 per year for car insurance. In contrast, good credit drivers pay an average of $1,265 per year for the same full coverage car insurance.
Car insurance requirements in New Hampshire if you have bad credit
If you have bad credit, the car insurance requirement remains the same in New Hampshire. Like other drivers, you’ll need to carry a minimum amount of car insurance to legally drive in New Hampshire.
Find out whether it’s legal for insurers to raise your premium because of a bad credit score
Resources and Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates for drivers with poor credit scores. The rates are based on sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families
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