Franklin Car Insurance
Finding the perfect policy has never been easier.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Even the most careful drivers can sometimes get into accidents, especially in the wintertime. From fender benders on Main Street to multi-car collisions on Interstate 93, if you have a solid car insurance policy, you can rest assured that the accident will not cause you to experience large financial losses.
Shopping for car insurance is easy when you work with an independent agent. These local agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes so you can be sure you are getting the coverage you want at a great price. Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.
Is Car Insurance Required in Franklin, NH?
If you are new to New Hampshire, you may be surprised to learn that this state does not require all vehicle owners to carry car insurance. This insurance is mandated only if you have been convicted of any of the following crimes:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Intentionally injuring or killing someone with your vehicle
- Causing an accident and fleeing the scene (hit-and-run)
- Receiving a second ticket for speeding or other moving violations
Additionally, if you cause an accident while uninsured, not only will you be responsible for covering any injuries or property damage you may have caused, you will also be required by the state to carry car insurance for the next three years.
Many residents of Franklin who are not required to have car insurance choose to purchase it anyway. This is because of the many protections it can offer if you are in an accident or your vehicle is significantly damaged.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Franklin, NH?
The average cost of car insurance in New Hampshire is significantly lower than the national average. This is great news for Franklin residents who are looking for an affordable policy.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- New Hampshire average annual car insurance cost: $905
Of course, an average rate can only give you an estimate of what you might be expected to pay. Actual car insurance costs will differ from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:
- The make, model, and year of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
- Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
- Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
- Whether you own or rent your home
- The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
- The coverage options you are including in your policy
- The size of your deductible
You can often get rate reductions if you bundle your car insurance with other policies such as home insurance or renters insurance. Contact an independent agent in Franklin to learn more about this and any other discounts for which you may be eligible.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in New Hampshire?
Although car insurance is not required for most people in New Hampshire, if you do carry it, your policy must meet the state’s minimum coverage requirements. In New Hampshire, all car insurance policies must include:
- Liability insurance: This covers other people’s damages and injuries if you cause a collision.
- Medical payments (“MedPay”): This covers the treatment of injuries that you, your passengers, or members of your household may sustain if you are in a vehicular accident, regardless of fault.
- Uninsured motorist insurance: This can cover medical costs for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver and your medical costs exceed what your MedPay can cover.
New Hampshire requires your car insurance to include, at a minimum, the following amounts of coverage:
- Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability insurance: $25,000 per accident
- Medical payments (MedPay): $1,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
A local insurance agent can help you find the coverage you want at price you can afford.
What Else Can Franklin Car Insurance Cover?
In addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above, your car insurance provider will offer a variety of coverage options that you may want to include in your Franklin auto insurance policy. These options include:
- 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 due to a non-collision event like a falling object or flood.
- Roadside assistance and towing: This pays for the costs of assistance if your car becomes disabled while you are on the road, such as if you get a flat tire or your engine overheats.
- Gap insurance: This covers the gap between what your car is worth and what you currently owe for it if it is totaled in a covered event. New cars can depreciate quickly, so this coverage may be necessary for the first few years of new vehicle ownership.
- Umbrella insurance: This enables you to significantly boost your liability coverage to levels higher than your car insurance can provide.
- Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired following a covered event.
Talk to a local independent insurance agent for help determining which, if any, of these coverage options is a good fit for you and your family.
Why Is Uninsured Motorist Insurance So Important?
Despite the fact that car insurance is not required for all drivers in this state, the rate of uninsured drivers is significantly lower than most states where coverage is required.
- Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
- Percentage of New Hampshire drivers who are uninsured: 9.9%
Still, one in ten drivers sharing the roadways with you is uninsured in this state.
If you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, that person is responsible for compensating you and your passengers for property damage and any necessary medical treatments that go above what your MedPay can cover. However, this money can often be difficult to collect.
Uninsured motorist insurance was created to make sure that you receive timely compensation without the need to take legal action. After compensating you, your insurance company will attempt to collect the money owed by the at-fault driver and will absorb the losses if unsuccessful.
Does Franklin Car Insurance Cover against Auto Theft?
The auto theft rate in New Hampshire is lower than the national rate. This helps to keep auto insurance costs affordable in this state.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
- New Hampshire auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.64
You can only get compensation for a stolen vehicle if you have car insurance and your policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers against more than just auto thefts. It can also reimburse you for repair or replacement costs related to non-collision events, such as if a tree falls on your vehicle.
If you are still paying for your car, chances are good you already have comprehensive insurance. If not, you can talk to a local independent agent to find out how much it will cost you to include this optional coverage in your Franklin car insurance policy.
Why Let an Independent Insurance Agent in Franklin Help You?
If you are looking for a suitable car insurance policy at a great price, a local independent agent can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they can shop around to find you the coverage you want at a price you can afford.
Contact an insurance agent in or near Franklin to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.
http://www.naic.org/prod_serv/AUT-PB-14.pdf
http://www.city-data.com/city/Lebanon-New-Hampshire.html
nh.gov/insurance/consumers/documents/nh_auto_guide.pdf