New Hampshire insurance laws
Insurance regulations, rate filing requirements, department info, and recent bulletins for New Hampshire. Updated Mar 31, 2026.
Department of Insurance
New Hampshire operates under a File & Use rate filing system, allowing insurers to implement rates immediately upon filing while maintaining regulatory oversight. The state is unique as it does not mandate auto insurance for all drivers, though financial responsibility must be proven after accidents or violations. The NH Insurance Department under Commissioner D.J. Bettencourt focuses on consumer protection, market conduct, and maintaining competitive insurance markets across all lines of coverage.
Auto Insurance
Notable Laws
- RSA 264:1 - New Hampshire does not mandate auto insurance but requires proof of financial responsibility after accidents or violations
- RSA 264:15 - Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage required equal to bodily injury liability limits if insurance is purchased
- RSA 264:16 - Medical payments coverage of at least $1,000 mandatory when auto insurance is purchased
- RSA 264:20 - Financial responsibility minimums are $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 for BI/PD
- RSA 417-A - Governs cancellation and nonrenewal of private passenger auto insurance policies
Homeowners Insurance
Notable Laws
- RSA 417-B:4 - Requires 45 days notice for nonrenewal, 10 days for cancellation due to non-payment
- RSA 417-B:2-a - Prohibits underwriting solely based on credit information without other factors
- RSA 417-B:3-a - Prohibits nonrenewal solely for filing a claim unless pattern of claims established
- RSA 412:15(III) - Allows use of credit scoring for homeowners insurance underwriting and rating with consumer protections
- RSA 417-C:1 - Specifies permitted grounds for policy cancellation including non-payment, material misrepresentation, and substantial change in risk
Recent Bulletins
Guidance on Annual Submission of Complaint and Appeal Information
Provides guidance to health insurers on submitting annual complaint and appeal information using standardized templates for uniform reporting starting April 1, 2026
View bulletinGuidance on Implementation of SB 245 (Surprise Ambulance Billing)
Implements SB 245 prohibiting balance billing for ground ambulance services and establishing 325% Medicare reimbursement rate for non-participating providers
View bulletinGuidance on Reporting Suspected Fraudulent Billing Activity by Health Care Professionals
Establishes procedures for insurers to report suspected fraudulent billing by health care professionals to the Insurance Department
View bulletinVirtual Adjustment of Vehicle Claims
Clarifies insurer obligations when using virtual claims adjustment systems to assess property damage, ensuring adequate inspection and fair claim handling
View bulletin2026 Plan Year Issuer Guidance
Provides guidance for health insurers on procedures, timelines, and compliance requirements for 2026 plan year including new products and network changes
View bulletinRecent Law Changes
Notice to Insurance Department of Discontinuance of Coverage
Requires insurance companies to provide 120 days advance notice to the Insurance Department and agents before discontinuing lines of business or significantly modifying Medicare Advantage Plan offerings
Insurers must notify regulators and agents 120 days before ceasing coverage lines, protecting consumers from sudden market exits
Effective: 2025-09-13
Prohibition of Surprise Ambulance Billing
Prohibits balance billing for emergency ground ambulance services and establishes minimum reimbursement rate of 325% of Medicare rates for non-participating providers
Patients are protected from surprise ambulance bills while ensuring adequate reimbursement for ambulance providers
Effective: 2026-01-01
No Surprises Act Implementation and Balance Billing Protections
Strengthens consumer protections against balance billing for out-of-network emergency services and in-network facility care, aligns state law with federal No Surprises Act
Consumers receive enhanced protection from unexpected medical bills for emergency and out-of-network care at in-network facilities
Effective: 2025-01-01
Homeowner Insurance Nonrenewal Notice Extension
Insurance Department requested voluntary extension of nonrenewal notice period from 45 to 50 days (minimum 10 days required by RSA 417-B:4) to give consumers more time
Homeowners receive additional time to find replacement coverage before policy nonrenewal takes effect
Effective: 2024-11-01
Coordination of Benefits for Retiree Health Plans
Waiver of certain coordination of benefits requirements for retiree health insurance plans to improve coverage continuity
Retirees with multiple health coverage sources experience smoother coordination and fewer coverage gaps
Effective: 2025-11-19
Health Insurance
Sign up for full health insurance data
Sign up — it's freeLife Insurance
Sign up for full life insurance data
Sign up — it's freeWorkers Compensation
Sign up for full workers compensation data
Sign up — it's freeCommercial Insurance
Sign up for full commercial insurance data
Sign up — it's freeGet full New Hampshire insurance data
Health, life, workers comp, commercial lines, compliance penalties, rate filing requirements, and real-time DOI monitoring for all 51 jurisdictions.
Sign up — it's free