Snowstorms and New Hampshire Drivers

Can you believe it? In New Hampshire, you do not have to have a liability policy to drive an automobile. And if you do have insurance, the minimum rate in New Hampshire is $25,000. That is woefully inadequate to cover most injuries.

If you are driving on a snowy day and someone is coming up behind you too quickly, fails to react to changing traffic and rear ends you, pushing you into the vehicle in front, you have actually sustained not one, not two, but maybe three or four actual impacts to your body. That generally has significant adverse effects to your neck, shoulder, and back muscles, as well as the ligaments and tendons. Whiplash is a real thing. You may be out of work for a week or two. You may have been taken to the hospital, given diagnostic testing, had your test reviewed by a radiologist, been checked out by a neurologist, or a hospital emergency room physician and other professional staff, all for which you will be billed for. That trip to the hospital may have cost $1,500 in ambulance fees and $5,000 in hospital and diagnostic specialist fees. If you are out of work for two or three weeks then that may be another $3,000 or $4,000 out of your pocket.

At Normand Higham, we encourage all drivers to protect themselves, their family, and their car occupants with adequate uninsured motorist coverage. Frequently, you are able to increase your uninsured motorist coverage from $50,000 or $100,000 to at least $250,000 at modest prices, usually much less than even $100. Yes, you can have four or five times the coverage, including uninsured motorist coverage at a very low rate. Speak to your insurance agent about it.