This is a misconception as I mentioned earlier. People get away with not having a policy or the alternative proof of financial responsibility because the state does not require it prior to issuing registration. If you get into an accident and have neither, they can and will suspend your license and/or registration until you do…
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Prior to my career working in the Telecom industry I worked as a software consultant in the insurance industry. You do NOT need auto insurance in NH - UNLESS you had a previous accident where you were unable to pay damages or a DWI or second reckless driving offense. If you have a loan on the vehicle then the bank/CU will require you to have insurance. And it’s extremely dumb to NOT have insurance if you have any assets. One accident can wipe you out. The vast majority of uninsured drivers in NH are low-income drivers with no assets.
When a SR-22 (Proof of Insurance) is Required
The Division of Motor Vehicles may require that persons have insurance (SR-22). If you fall under an insurance filing requirement, the Division of Motor Vehicles will notify you of this in writing.
A Driver Record Report will reflect whether or not an individual is required to file proof of insurance. This information is displayed either as: “No proof of financial responsibility is required” or “Proof of financial responsibility is required.”
Suspension/Revocation
If you are placed under such a filing requirement, your license/operating and/or registration privileges cannot be restored or retained until this requirement is met.
If you are required to file proof of insurance with the Division of Motor Vehicles, you must contact an insurance representative/carrier to assist you in this process. The insurance company chosen must be licensed to do business in New Hampshire. The only document accepted is the uniform SR-22 certificate. This is not a form supplied by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Types of SR-22 Certificates
The DMV only recognizes the specific policy type listed on an SR-22 Certificate of Insurance. Those policy types are “Owner” and “Operator” SR-22. An “Owner SR-22” allows the person filing to own and register a vehicle as well as operate a motor vehicle. An “Operator SR-22” only allows the person filing to operate a motor vehicle. Please be advised that these terms may not be the same terms as an insurance company may use.
Certain Convictions that require filing proof of insurance (SR-22)
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Any DWI.
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Leaving Scene of Accident/Conduct After Accident.
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Subsequent (2nd) offense Reckless Operation.
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In Nevada the penalty for failure to show proof of insurance is $750, but the driver is given the opportunity to attend court and show proof of insurance. Law enforcement does not impound the vehicle. The time period between a lapse in insurance resulting in suspended registration is not long, so no insurance can lead to impounding the vehicle.
Until last July 1, 2025, the state of Virginia allowed anyone to register and title a vehicle without insurance by posting a $500 bond… Prior to that date, if you did not want to buy insurance or could not afford insurance on your vehicle (for example the owner was indigent…), the bond was all that was required. The owner was not stating that they had the financial resources to cover any injuries or damage they might cause… And in the case of being indigent, the state allowed them to make payments, or even apply for a waiver.
The $500 did not go into any special fund to reimburse anyone or anything they hit with their vehicle. All that was collected went straight into the General Fund…
At long last, the state changed the law requiring all registered vehicle to have the state minimum mandated insurance… But any vehicle registered up to last July 1st, and uninsured, may continue to operate until next June 30, 2026.
Not surprising, there was a rash of last minute registrations in the month of June for the program. And you wonder why Uninsured and Under Insured rates are so high…