Insurance Company Tactics After Car Accidents in New Hampshire: What Every Injured Driver Needs to Know
By Attorney Joseph Kelly Levasseur, Levasseur Law NH – Manchester, New Hampshire
Have you been in a car accident anywhere in New Hampshire and suddenly feel like the insurance company is treating you like the enemy instead of the victim? Are they dragging their feet on your claim, pointing fingers at you even though the other driver clearly caused the crash, or pressuring you to “just sign here and move on” with a quick check? Maybe they offered a rental car for only a week then stopped responding, and seem to be hoping you'll get frustrated and give up? If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it. These are common tactics insurance adjusters use throughout New Hampshire to protect their profits at your expense.
At Levasseur Law NH, we've seen these tactics played out in car accident cases across the state, and we want every injured person in New Hampshire to know exactly what to watch for—and how to protect themselves. You don't have to navigate this alone. You have rights, and a skilled New Hampshire car accident lawyer can make sure those rights work for you.
Safety First: Protect Yourself and Preserve the Evidence
Right after any crash in New Hampshire, your health comes first—get checked out by a medical professional even if you think you're “fine.” Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and whiplash often worsen days or weeks later. While you're getting treatment, document everything: take photos of the vehicles, scene, and injuries; obtain the police report; and keep every medical bill, prescription, and lost-wage record.
In New Hampshire, you're required to report accidents involving injury or property damage over $1,000 to the DMV under RSA 264:25 (https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXI/264/264-25.htm). You can request your official accident report through your local police department or the New Hampshire DMV. Strong evidence is your best defense against the tactics that follow.
Tactic #1: The Slow Walk – Dragging Their Feet to Wear You Down
Insurance companies are experts at delaying claims. They'll request the same documents repeatedly, “lose” paperwork, or simply stop responding for weeks. Every day of delay is money in their pocket and pressure on you to settle for less. New Hampshire law actually forbids these unfair delays. Under RSA 417:4, XV (https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXXVII/417/417-4.htm), insurers cannot fail to acknowledge communications promptly or refuse to make reasonable efforts to settle claims when liability is clear. But they still try it—because most people don't know the law and eventually give up.
Tactic #2: Shifting the Blame Onto You (Even When You Did Nothing Wrong)
One of their favorite moves is to claim you were partially—or mostly—at fault. Suddenly you're hearing “you should have braked faster” or “you were distracted.” This is the comparative negligence trap designed to slash or eliminate what you're owed. New Hampshire follows a modified comparative fault rule under RSA 507:7-d (https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LII/507/507-7-d.htm). You can still recover damages as long as your fault is 50% or less—but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance adjusters love to push your share over that 50% line so they owe you nothing. Don't let them rewrite the accident without a fight.
Tactic #3: The High-Pressure Settlement – “Sign Here and We're Done”
They call with a “generous” offer that expires in days and mail you a release that looks simple but actually bars you from ever coming back for future medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost wages if your injuries turn out worse. Once you cash that check, your claim is closed forever. New Hampshire courts enforce these releases strictly. Accepting a quick lowball settlement today can leave you paying out of pocket for years of treatment. That's not protection—that's a trap.
Tactic #4: The Silent Treatment and the One-Week Rental Car
Phone calls go unanswered. Emails disappear into the void. The rental car? “Sorry, our policy only covers seven days.” Meanwhile your vehicle is in the shop, you're missing work, and bills are piling up. They're betting you'll get desperate and take whatever they finally offer. This deliberate radio silence (another violation of RSA 417:4, XV's prompt-communication rules) is designed to make you give up. You don't have to wait them out alone.
Why Even a “Small” Case Needs an Experienced New Hampshire Lawyer
Here's the truth many New Hampshire drivers learn the hard way: there is no such thing as a “small” insurance claim when you're the one in pain. Even minor accidents can result in thousands of dollars in medical costs, lost wages, and lingering effects. Insurance companies count on you handling it yourself so they can pay the bare minimum. A skilled New Hampshire car accident lawyer levels the playing field. We know the statutes, we know the adjusters' playbook, and we know how to build a case that forces fair compensation—without you having to chase paperwork or return phone calls. Best of all, most clients pay nothing upfront; we work on contingency, so we only get paid if you win.
Your Legal Rights in New Hampshire
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under RSA 508:4 (https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LII/508/508-4.htm). Don't let the insurance company's delays eat up that deadline. You also have the right to prompt, fair treatment of your claim under RSA 417:4 and the protections of New Hampshire's financial responsibility laws.
Insurance Companies Are Exempt from New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act
You might wonder why some of these tactics feel so unchecked. Insurance companies in New Hampshire are specifically exempt from the general Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A) under RSA 358-A:3, I (https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXXI/358-A/358-A-3.htm). The New Hampshire Supreme Court confirmed this exemption in Bell v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 146 N.H. 190 (2001), because the insurance industry is instead regulated by the Insurance Commissioner. That exemption doesn't give them a free pass—it simply means their unfair practices fall under the specific rules of RSA 417. If the insurer is stonewalling or acting unreasonably, one immediate step you can take is to file a formal complaint with the New Hampshire Insurance Department. Their Consumer Services Division investigates unfair claims-handling violations and can put official pressure on the company.
Submit your complaint online here: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=NH (or visit https://www.insurance.nh.gov/consumers/filing-complaint for more options). A documented complaint creates a paper trail that helps your case—but for full compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and lost wages, nothing beats having an experienced advocate fighting directly with the adjusters.
At Levasseur Law NH, we make sure those rights actually deliver the compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in a car accident anywhere in New Hampshire, don't let the insurance company call the shots. The sooner you have an experienced advocate on your side, the stronger your case becomes. Call Levasseur Law NH in Manchester, New Hampshire today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll listen, explain your options in plain English, and fight for the full compensation you deserve—so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life.
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