Termination for Nonpayment at Renewal

The State of New Hampshire Insurance Department 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 14 Concord, NH 03301 David J. Bettencourt Keith E. Nyhan Commissioner Deputy Commissioner BULLETIN Docket #INS 26-052-AB TO: Personal Lines Automobile Insurers FROM: Commissioner David J. Bettencourt DATE: August 12, 2026 RE: Termination for Nonpayment at Renewal To ensure that consumers receive the protections afforded under RSA 417-A:5 and to promote the consistent administration of New Hampshire insurance law, the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) is issuing this bulletin regarding policy termination notices following the nonpayment of a renewal premium. It has come to the NHID’s attention that some personal lines automobile insurers may not be issuing policy termination notices that fully comply with the requirements of RSA 417-A:5 in situations where an insured fails to make a renewal premium payment by its due date. Under RSA 417-A:5, if an insured fails to timely pay a renewal premium, the insurer may issue a notice of termination. To be legally compliant, that notice must provide the insured with a cure period of at least ten (10) days during which the insured may pay the overdue premium and continue coverage without a lapse. See RSA 417-A:5, II(a). Only if the insured fails to cure the nonpayment within the required notice period may the policy be terminated. A policy may not be terminated for nonpayment of a renewal premium until after the insurer has issued a legally compliant termination notice and the expiry of the cure period. This bulletin reflects the NHID’s interpretation and enforcement of the existing requirements contained in RSA 417-A:5. Accordingly, all personal lines automobile insurers shall review their current policy termination notices and related procedures to ensure compliance with these statutory requirements. Any insurer utilizing notices that are inconsistent with RSA 417-A:5 should file revised notices with the NHID no later than October 1, 2026. After October 1, 2026, the NHID may audit insurer notices and business practices to verify compliance with RSA 417-A:5. To the extent any notice previously approved by the Department is inconsistent with the statutory requirements Telephone 603-271-2261 • Fax 603-271-1406 • TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 insurance.nh.gov described in this bulletin, insurers are expected to revise those notices to achieve compliance. Prior approval of a notice does not relieve an insurer of its continuing obligation to comply with New Hampshire law. Failure to comply with RSA 417-A:5 may subject an insurer to appropriate administrative action, including civil penalties authorized under New Hampshire law, where warranted by the facts and circumstances. Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to the NHID’s Property and Casualty Division at PropertyCasualty@ins.nh.gov. Page 2 of 2