Why Coverage Matters
Why Auto Insurance Coverage Matters
Even careful drivers face risks they can't control. Understanding the situations you may encounter can help you decide whether your current protection still fits.
Distracted Drivers
You can control how you drive, but you can't control everyone around you. A distracted driver can cause an accident in seconds, potentially resulting in vehicle damage, injuries, and other expenses.
Winter Driving Conditions
Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and reduced visibility are familiar challenges throughout New England. Whether you're commuting through New Hampshire or navigating winter roads in Vermont or Maine, conditions can change quickly and make everyday driving more challenging.
Deer Collisions
Deer are a common concern on New England roads, particularly in wooded and rural areas. A collision can happen unexpectedly and cause significant damage to your vehicle, even when you're driving carefully.
Uninsured Drivers
An accident can become more complicated when the other driver doesn't have enough insurance to cover the damage or injuries involved. Understanding your protection against uninsured and underinsured drivers can help you know where you stand.
We Help You Compare
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance helps drivers compare auto policies from multiple carriers so each vehicle has the protection it needs.
Car Insurance Coverage
Types of Car Insurance Coverage
Auto insurance can include several different types of protection. Understanding what each one does can make it easier to compare policies and decide what belongs in yours.
Looking at the details alongside the premium can give you a much clearer picture of what you're choosing.
Auto Liability Insurance
Liability coverage helps protect you when you're legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to someone else. Your liability limits determine how much protection your policy provides, making those limits an important part of your coverage review.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle after a covered collision, subject to your policy terms and deductible. It may be particularly important if replacing or repairing your vehicle would create a significant financial burden.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage can help with certain types of damage that don't result from a collision, including covered losses involving theft, vandalism, weather, and other causes. The specific losses covered depend on the policy.
Medical Payments Coverage
Medical payments coverage can help with certain medical expenses resulting from an auto accident, depending on your policy and state requirements. Your advisor can help you understand how this coverage fits with the rest of your policy.
Your coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements all matter when comparing policies. Two auto insurance quotes can look very different in price while providing different levels of protection.
When to Review your Auto Insurance Policy
Auto Insurance in Portsmouth, NH
New Hampshire is one of the few states where the law doesn't require most drivers to buy auto insurance, but you must be able to pay for damage you cause (financial responsibility), and a lender will require coverage on a financed or leased vehicle. If you do buy a policy, it has to meet minimum limits. Read Does New Hampshire Require Car Insurance? for the details.
- Seacoast driving means I-95, Route 1, the Spaulding Turnpike, summer visitors, deer and months of winter ice, so we usually suggest more than the minimum.
- We compare auto insurance from 40+ carriers from our office at 601 Islington St, Unit 206, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
- We're the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials.
- Many carriers offer multi-policy options when you pair auto with homeowners insurance, renters insurance or motorcycle insurance. Read how we bundle home and auto insurance in New Hampshire.
Visit our Portsmouth, NH insurance agency page, or request a quote when you're ready.
Looking for Car Insurance in Portsmouth, NH?
For most drivers, "car insurance" and "auto insurance" are the same coverage, just different words in the search bar. If you want a page focused only on the Seacoast, see our guide to car insurance in Portsmouth, NH, including local driving risks and how we compare options for Portsmouth drivers.
Car Insurance in Stratford, CT
In Connecticut, auto insurance is mandatory to register and drive, with minimum liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist limits. Drivers in Stratford and across Fairfield County spend a lot of time on I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, and the Connecticut Insurance Department urges drivers to consider higher limits than the minimums. We serve Connecticut drivers by phone, email and online, with a Fairfield County office coming soon.
For a page focused on Stratford drivers, see car insurance in Stratford, CT. You can also read Connecticut car insurance requirements or visit our Connecticut insurance agency page.
When to Review Your Auto Insurance Policy
Your insurance needs can change even when nothing seems different about your policy.
You don't have to wait for a major life change, either. If you've had the same policy for years and aren't sure whether your coverage or pricing still makes sense, a second review can provide useful perspective.
A review can help you determine whether your current coverage still fits your situation, particularly when:
You've purchased a new or different vehicle
A different vehicle may have different coverage needs, deductibles, or insurance costs.
Key Factor
You've added a driver
Adding a teen, spouse, or another household driver can affect your coverage and premium.
Key Factor
Your commute or driving habits have changed
Once you've paid off your auto loan, your coverage options may change depending on your vehicle's value and your financial situation.
Key Factor
Your premium has increased
Key Factor
Your coverage limits haven't been reviewed recently
Key Factor
Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes
What We Help You Compare When Getting Auto Insurance Quotes
When you're comparing auto insurance quotes, the number at the bottom is only part of the conversation.
Coverage Limits
We help you compare the amount of protection each policy provides, so you're comparing coverage as well as price.
Liability Protection
We look at the liability protection included in each option and help you understand the limits you're considering.
Deductibles
A lower premium can sometimes come with a higher deductible. Comparing those amounts helps you understand your potential out-of-pocket costs.
Coverage Structure
We help you look at what's included, what's excluded, and which optional coverages or endorsements may be relevant to your situation.
Carrier Options
As an independent agency, we can compare available options from multiple carriers rather than limiting your review to one insurance company.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose an Independent Auto Insurance Agency?
The Independent Insurance Agency Advantage
When you shop directly with one insurance company, you're comparing that company's products and pricing.
An independent insurance agency can provide a broader perspective by working with multiple carriers. Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance can help you compare available options and look at differences in coverage, limits, deductibles, and pricing.
That means you have someone helping you understand the choices rather than simply handing you a number and leaving you to figure out what it means.
We compare 40+ carriers, and there's no obligation to buy when you request a quote.
Auto Insurance Agents You Can Talk To
Insurance can get complicated quickly when you're trying to figure everything out online.
Having an experienced advisor gives you someone to turn to when your premium changes, you're adding a driver, you're buying another vehicle, or you're simply unsure what your policy covers.
Your insurance needs rarely stay exactly the same over time. Ongoing guidance can help you keep your coverage aligned with those changes.
Local New England Auto Insurance Knowledge
Where you live and drive matters when you're choosing insurance.
A driver in New Hampshire may have different considerations from someone in Massachusetts. Someone commuting through Connecticut may face different conditions from a driver traveling rural roads in Maine or Vermont.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance helps drivers throughout the region navigate their auto insurance in New England options with practical guidance based on their individual circumstances and the state where they live and drive.
Car Insurance in New England
If you've been searching for car insurance in New England, having a local team to speak with can make the process easier.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance helps drivers throughout the region review their existing policies, explore auto insurance quotes, and understand their available options.
Whether you're looking for car insurance in Massachusetts, reviewing coverage in New Hampshire, or comparing options in Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Connecticut, you can start with a conversation.
Review Your Auto Insurance
Review Your Auto Insurance With Confidence
Your insurance needs can change as your vehicle, household, driving habits, and financial priorities change.
If your premium has increased, you're having trouble comparing quotes, or you simply haven't reviewed your policy in a while, taking another look can provide useful perspective.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance can help you compare available carriers and coverage options thoughtfully, so you can better understand what you're paying for and the protection you're choosing.
✓ Compare multiple carriers
✓ No obligation
✓ Local advisors
✓ 40+ carriers
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is here to provide local guidance when you have questions about your coverage, need to review your policy, or are ready to explore your options.
Visit Our Portsmouth Office
Our insurance agents help drivers from our Portsmouth office at 601 Islington St, Unit 206, Portsmouth, NH 03801, and we serve Connecticut by phone, email and online, with a Fairfield County office coming soon.
Portsmouth Office
601 Islington St, Unit 206
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Our team insures cars, trucks and other vehicles for drivers across the Seacoast, Fairfield County and the rest of New England.
(603) 431-4020
insure@portsmouthatlanticins.com
New Hampshire and Connecticut Car Insurance Rules
Is car insurance required in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire law doesn't require you to buy auto insurance, but you must be able to pay for damage you cause in an at-fault accident. If you can't, the state can suspend your driving privileges. Most drivers carry a policy because paying for injuries and repairs out of pocket can be ruinous, and a lender will require coverage on a financed car.
What does a New Hampshire auto policy have to include?
If you buy a policy in New Hampshire, it must carry at least 25/50/25 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage. Personal auto policies also need at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage at limits equal to your liability coverage.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Connecticut?
Connecticut requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $25,000 in property damage liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000/$50,000. Unlike New Hampshire, insurance is mandatory to register and drive. The Connecticut Insurance Department urges drivers to consider higher limits, since a serious accident can easily exceed the minimums.
Do I have to add my teenager or college student to my New Hampshire policy?
Yes. The New Hampshire Insurance Department says insurers can charge for every licensed driver in your household because they're automatically covered under your policy, and a child away at college still counts as a household resident. Leaving a licensed teen off can create problems at claim time, so call us when your child gets a permit or license.
Does my personal auto policy cover rideshare or food delivery in New Hampshire?
Not always. The New Hampshire Insurance Department notes that personal policies have traditionally covered some rideshare driving but have tried to exclude food delivery, though they can't cut liability below the state minimums. Before you start driving for an app, check with us so we can confirm what your policy covers and whether you need an endorsement.
When is a car considered a total loss in New Hampshire?
Generally when repairs would cost more than 75% of the car's fair market value, or when the vehicle isn't practical to repair (RSA 261:22). The insurer then pays its actual cash value plus covered towing and storage. If you disagree with the value, New Hampshire rules let you send comparable vehicles for the insurer to review.
What our clients say
From our client surveys. Comments are lightly edited for typos only.
Jon is super helpful and amazingly communicative. He responds fast with well thought out answers making the process of getting insurance for my home and car super simple.
Very informative, responsive, and helpful with answering any questions we had. Helped us get the best deal and coverage, explained the differences between coverage options, and let us choose what worked best for us. Highly recommend!
Excellent guidance on insurance options and fantastic quoting and onboarding experience. We trust their recommendations and feel that we have best coverage for peace of mind at best possible cost.
By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
Jon founded Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance in 2005. We are a family-owned independent agency licensed in 10 states, we compare coverage from 40+ carriers, and we are the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. Meet our team.
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Get a Car Insurance Quote in Portsmouth, NH or anywhere in Connecticut by phone
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance helps drivers review coverage options, compare policies, and choose protection that fits their vehicles. If you're comparing car insurance in New Hampshire or Connecticut, or just want a second look at your current auto policy, we're here to help.