Small claims · NH
New Hampshire small claims court for diminished value claims
In New Hampshire, small claims cases are heard in Circuit Court, District Division (small claims), which handles claims up to $10,000. If an insurer will not pay a diminished value claim and the amount is within the limit, this is where an owner can sue the at-fault driver. You bring the evidence, and the judge decides.
Court
Circuit Court, District Division (small claims)
Claim limit
$10,000
Attorneys
Allowed, not required
Deadline to sue
3 years
New Hampshire courts
How small claims court works in New Hampshire
- Claim limit
- $10,000. The $10,000 limit excludes interest and costs and has applied since July 1, 2015. Claims over $5,000 go to mandatory mediation, and when the claim is over $1,500 the defendant can ask for a jury trial, which moves the case to Superior Court. N.H. RSA 503:1.
- Where to file
- File in the District Division court for the town where either the plaintiff or the defendant lives; if the defendant lives out of state, you may file where the defendant did business, made a contract, committed the wrongful act or has property.
- Attorneys
- An attorney who appears must file an appearance and send copies to the other parties at least 7 days before the hearing (RSA 503:2-a).
- Filing fee
- $105 for claims of $5,000 or less and $160 for claims of $5,001 to $10,000, plus a $20 electronic filing surcharge (District Division fee rule)
- Appeals
- Either party may appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court within 30 days of the notice of judgment, but the trial judge's findings of fact are final, so only questions of law are reviewed (RSA 503:9, 503:10).
New Hampshire Judicial Branch, District Division Small Claims
Who you sue
Ask the Circuit Court, District Division (small claims) clerk how to name the defendant. In most states that is the at-fault driver, not the insurance company.
Diminished value law in New Hampshire
A claim against the at-fault driver in New Hampshire: allowed by case law. The general deadline to sue for vehicle property damage is 3 years (RSA 508:4, I). The cases and statutes are on the New Hampshire diminished value page.
What to bring
See using an appraisal in small claims court for the evidence list and what to ask the Circuit Court, District Division (small claims) clerk.
Sources
Researched October 11, 2026. General information from an appraisal perspective, not legal advice.
Evidence
An appraisal for a New Hampshire claim
A New Hampshire diminished-value appraisal is typically $250–$350 and comes with a custom demand letter. Autoloss is not a law firm and does not represent you in court.
New Hampshire small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in New Hampshire?
$10,000 in Circuit Court, District Division (small claims). The $10,000 limit excludes interest and costs and has applied since July 1, 2015. Claims over $5,000 go to mandatory mediation, and when the claim is over $1,500 the defendant can ask for a jury trial, which moves the case to Superior Court.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in New Hampshire?
An attorney who appears must file an appearance and send copies to the other parties at least 7 days before the hearing (RSA 503:2-a).
How long do I have to sue in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire generally allows 3 years to sue for vehicle property damage (RSA 508:4, I). Talking with the insurer does not pause the deadline.
Can a New Hampshire small claims decision be appealed?
Either party may appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court within 30 days of the notice of judgment, but the trial judge's findings of fact are final, so only questions of law are reviewed (RSA 503:9, 503:10).
Taking a New Hampshire claim to court?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.