New Hampshire Windshield Laws: The "Live Free or Die" State's Unique Rules

New Hampshire embodies contradictions when it comes to vehicle regulations.

True to its "Live Free or Die" motto, New Hampshire is one of only two states (along with Virginia) that does not require drivers to carry auto insurance. Yet the state still prohibits cracked windshields and can fine drivers for windshield damage. And as of January 2026, mandatory vehicle inspections have ended—but windshield safety standards remain enforceable.

This creates genuine confusion for New Hampshire drivers trying to understand their obligations and options. This guide clarifies exactly what New Hampshire law requires and what it does not.

This guide is part of our State-by-State Windshield Insurance Coverage Series. For comparison with states that have very different approaches, see our Florida guide (mandatory zero-deductible) and Arizona guide (must-offer zero-deductible).

No Insurance Required—But Financial Responsibility Is

The "Live Free or Die" Approach

Note: Virginia was the other state that allowed driving without insurance, but Virginia made insurance mandatory in July 2024. New Hampshire is now the only state with a no-insurance option.

New Hampshire does not require drivers to purchase auto insurance. You can legally register and drive a vehicle without any insurance coverage. This makes New Hampshire one of only two states in the nation with this policy.

However, "no insurance required" does not mean "no responsibility." New Hampshire law requires drivers to demonstrate financial responsibility if they cause an accident. You must be able to pay for damages you cause—whether through insurance or personal assets.

The $100,000 Alternative

Instead of insurance, New Hampshire allows drivers to deposit $100,000 in cash or securities with the state treasurer as proof of financial responsibility. In practice, very few drivers choose this option. Approximately 92-94% of New Hampshire drivers carry auto insurance despite not being required to.

What Happens If You Cause an Accident Without Insurance

If you cause an accident and cannot pay for damages, New Hampshire will suspend your driver's license and vehicle registration. You may be required to purchase insurance and file an SR-22 form (proof of financial responsibility) for three years. The consequences of being uninsured and at-fault are severe, which is why most Granite Staters choose to carry coverage anyway.

Minimum Coverage If You Choose Insurance

If you do purchase auto insurance in New Hampshire, the minimum coverage includes $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, $25,000 property damage, $1,000 medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage equal to your bodily injury limits.

Note that comprehensive coverage—which covers windshield damage—is not required even if you choose to buy insurance. You must specifically add comprehensive coverage to have any windshield protection.

Cracked Windshields Are Still Illegal

What the Law Prohibits

Despite its libertarian approach to insurance, New Hampshire strictly prohibits driving with a cracked, shattered, clouded, or otherwise distorted windshield. The law also prohibits operating a vehicle with an obstructed view of the road.

This means all windshield cracks are technically illegal in New Hampshire, regardless of size or location. In practice, enforcement focuses on cracks that genuinely impair visibility, but the statute provides no safe harbor for minor damage.

Fines and Penalties

Drivers stopped for windshield violations can face fines starting at $60-75 per offense. If you are pulled over for another reason (such as speeding) and an officer observes windshield damage, you may receive an additional citation.

Beyond fines, driving with a cracked windshield that impairs your vision could contribute to accident liability if you are involved in a collision.

The End of Mandatory Inspections: What Changed in 2026

The New Law

Effective January 31, 2026, New Hampshire repealed mandatory annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles. House Bill 2, passed as part of the state budget, eliminated both safety inspections and emissions testing for personal vehicles.

This means you no longer fail inspection for a cracked windshield—because there is no inspection. However, this does not mean cracked windshields are legal. The underlying safety laws remain in effect.

How Enforcement Now Works

Without inspections, enforcement shifts to law enforcement officers on the road. Police can visually inspect vehicles during any traffic stop. If an officer observes a cracked windshield, damaged tires, or other safety violations, they can issue citations.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety is developing specific standards for field enforcement. For example, there may be defined limits on crack size or location that determine when a citation is warranted.

What This Means for Windshields

Before 2026, a cracked windshield would cause your vehicle to fail inspection, forcing repair before you could pass. Now, the incentive structure has changed. You will not be denied a registration sticker for windshield damage, but you can still be fined if an officer determines your windshield is unsafe.

The practical effect: drivers have more discretion about when to repair windshields, but also bear more personal responsibility for maintaining vehicle safety. Driving with a severely cracked windshield now risks a citation at any traffic stop, not just at annual inspection time.

Windshield Insurance Coverage in New Hampshire

No Zero-Deductible Law

New Hampshire has no statute requiring zero-deductible windshield coverage like Florida, nor a requirement that insurers offer zero-deductible options like Arizona. Your windshield coverage depends entirely on your policy terms.

Full Glass Coverage Option

Many New Hampshire insurers offer "full glass coverage" as an optional endorsement. With this coverage, windshield repairs and replacements are covered without applying your comprehensive deductible. Without it, you pay your standard deductible (typically $100-$1,000) before insurance covers the rest.

If you want zero out-of-pocket windshield claims, you must specifically purchase this endorsement. It is not automatically included with comprehensive coverage.

Consumer Protections That Do Exist

New Hampshire provides some consumer protections for auto repairs. You have the right to choose your own repair shop—insurers cannot require you to use their preferred vendors. If an insurer uses aftermarket parts, they must disclose this in writing on the repair estimate.

Additionally, for vehicles less than two years old with fewer than 30,000 miles, consumers may insist on OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts rather than aftermarket parts.

Filing a Windshield Claim in New Hampshire

Step 1: Verify You Have Comprehensive Coverage

Because New Hampshire does not require any insurance, your first step is confirming you actually have coverage. Check your policy for comprehensive coverage. If you only have liability (or no insurance at all), you have no windshield coverage.

Step 2: Check for Full Glass Coverage

If you have comprehensive coverage, determine whether you also have full glass coverage (zero-deductible glass). If not, you will pay your comprehensive deductible.

Step 3: File the Claim

Contact your insurer to file a comprehensive claim for windshield damage. Provide details about the damage and how it occurred.

Step 4: Choose Your Repair Shop

You have the right to choose any glass shop in New Hampshire. Your insurer may recommend preferred vendors, but you are not required to use them.

Step 5: Know Your Parts Rights

If your vehicle is less than two years old with under 30,000 miles, you can insist on OEM glass. For older vehicles, insurers may use aftermarket glass but must disclose this in writing.

Step 6: Address ADAS Recalibration

If your vehicle has ADAS features (lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, etc.), ensure recalibration is included. New Hampshire has no specific statute requiring ADAS coverage, so confirm with your insurer that recalibration is covered.

If You Have No Insurance

If you are among the approximately 6-8% of New Hampshire drivers without insurance, you have no coverage for windshield damage. You will pay the full cost of repair or replacement out of pocket.

Windshield repair typically costs $50-150 for small chips. Full replacement ranges from $200-600 for standard vehicles, and can exceed $1,000 for vehicles with ADAS systems requiring recalibration.

Even without insurance, prompt repair is advisable. Fines for windshield violations start at $60-75, and the risk of a more serious crack (or accident) increases over time.

Common Misconceptions About New Hampshire Windshield Laws

Myth: No insurance required means no rules about windshields.

Fact: New Hampshire's lack of mandatory insurance is separate from vehicle safety laws. Cracked windshields are still illegal and can result in fines.

Myth: Since inspections ended, windshield damage does not matter.

Fact: The end of mandatory inspections does not change the underlying law. Police can still cite you for unsafe windshields during any traffic stop.

Myth: I can drive with any size crack now.

Fact: All windshield cracks remain technically illegal in New Hampshire. Enforcement focuses on cracks that impair visibility, but no size or location is explicitly permitted by statute.

Myth: If I have insurance, windshield replacement is free.

Fact: New Hampshire has no zero-deductible law. You will pay your comprehensive deductible unless you purchased optional full glass coverage.

Myth: I have to use my insurer's preferred glass shop.

Fact: You have the right to choose your own repair shop in New Hampshire. Insurers can recommend but cannot require specific vendors.

Comparison: New Hampshire vs. Other States

New Hampshire vs. Florida

Florida requires insurance and provides automatic zero-deductible windshield coverage for comprehensive policyholders. New Hampshire requires neither insurance nor zero-deductible coverage. These states represent opposite ends of the regulatory spectrum.

New Hampshire vs. Arizona

Arizona requires insurers to offer zero-deductible glass coverage (drivers must elect it). New Hampshire has no such requirement—full glass coverage may or may not be available depending on your insurer.

New Hampshire vs. California

California requires insurance and provides strong anti-steering protections (insurers cannot require specific repair shops). New Hampshire does not require insurance but does protect consumer choice of repair shops.

The "Live Free or Die" Approach to Windshields

New Hampshire's approach is consistent with its broader philosophy: minimal mandates, maximum personal responsibility.

You are not required to have insurance. You are not required to pass inspections. But you are personally responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle and demonstrating financial responsibility if you cause harm.

For windshields, this means: You decide whether to carry comprehensive coverage. You decide whether to add full glass coverage. You decide when to repair or replace a damaged windshield. But if your windshield is unsafe and you are stopped by police, you face fines. And if your cracked windshield contributes to an accident, you bear responsibility.

Recommendations for New Hampshire Drivers

Despite the lack of mandates, practical considerations make coverage worthwhile.

Carry Comprehensive Coverage: Even though it is not required, comprehensive coverage protects you from windshield damage, hail, theft, and other non-collision events. The cost is typically modest compared to the protection provided.

Add Full Glass Coverage: For a small additional premium, you can eliminate deductibles for glass claims. Given New Hampshire's harsh winters and road conditions, windshield damage is common.

Repair Promptly: Without inspections forcing the issue, it is tempting to delay windshield repairs. However, small cracks spread—especially in temperature extremes—and larger damage is more expensive to fix. Plus, you risk fines at any traffic stop.

Know Your Rights: You can choose your own repair shop. For newer vehicles, you can insist on OEM parts. Aftermarket parts require written disclosure.

Related Resources

For a comprehensive overview of windshield insurance across all states, see our Complete State-by-State Windshield Insurance Coverage Guide.

For comparison with a state that requires insurance and provides zero-deductible coverage, see our Florida Windshield Insurance Guide.

For comparison with a state that requires insurers to offer zero-deductible options, see our Arizona Windshield Insurance Guide.

To understand windshield warranties and insurance fundamentals, read our Windshield Warranties and Insurance Consumer Guide.

Related Technical Guides

Understanding windshield technology helps you make informed decisions about replacement and insurance claims.

Learn how glass quality affects safety in our OEM vs OEE vs Aftermarket Windshields Guide.

If your vehicle has driver assistance features, see our ADAS Calibration Guide to understand recalibration requirements after replacement.

Understand why windshield quality matters for crash safety in our Structural Safety Guide.

For a comprehensive overview of all state laws, see our State Windshield Insurance Laws Hub.