Detailed Answer — How to obtain your New Hampshire crash report and what to expect

This is a straightforward question with a few important details. In New Hampshire, crash reports prepared by responding law enforcement agencies are generally public records that you can request for use in an insurance claim. However, certain investigative materials may be withheld or redacted while an active criminal investigation or other limited exemption applies. Below is a step‑by‑step explanation of how to get a copy, what’s typically in the report, when you might not get everything, and what to do if you cannot obtain records you need.

1. Which report do you need?

There are two common documents:

• Police (law enforcement) crash report: The report prepared by the officer who responded. It usually contains the date/time/location, parties and vehicles involved, witness names, a diagram, officer observations, citations issued, and sometimes a short narrative.
• DMV/administrative reports or owner/driver crash forms: In some cases drivers must file a separate report with the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for certain crashes; the DMV may keep administrative records related to licensing or registration that the insurance company uses.

2. Who has the report and how to request it

1. Contact the law enforcement agency that responded. If the New Hampshire State Police handled the crash, contact the NH State Police Records Unit or the specific barracks that responded. For municipal crashes, contact the local police department’s records division.
2. Provide key details: date and approximate time of crash, location (street or intersection), names of drivers, and the agency’s report number if you have it.
3. Ask about the agency’s process: many agencies will accept an open-records request in person, by mail, by email, or through an online records portal. Ask about fees and expected turnaround time.

For State-level resources see the New Hampshire Department of Safety and NH State Police pages: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/

3. Public‑record rules and possible redactions or withholding

New Hampshire’s public records law generally requires government records be available for inspection and copying, but there are important exceptions. Law enforcement agencies may withhold or redact parts of a report while a criminal investigation is active or when disclosure would interfere with enforcement actions. Certain personal identifying information may also be redacted in limited circumstances.

For a general overview of New Hampshire open-record rules, see the state’s public records law (Right-to-Know): RSA 91-A. You can review the law and related material on the New Hampshire legislature website: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/

4. What the crash report typically includes (useful for insurance claims)

• Names, addresses, phone numbers of drivers and registered vehicle owners
• Insurance company names and policy numbers (when provided)
• Vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers
• Officer’s narrative of how the crash occurred
• Crash diagram and vehicle positions
• Cited violations (if any) and witness information
• Photographs and supplemental evidence — sometimes included as attachments or kept in a separate evidence file

5. If you want “more detailed” materials (photos, dash cam, raw officer notes)

Photographs, dash-cam or body-cam video, raw officer notes, and certain investigative supplements may be treated differently from the standard crash report. Those items may be withheld while an investigation is ongoing or may require a formal request under the Right-to-Know law. If an agency refuses to disclose non-public materials, you can:

• Request the reason for the denial in writing (the agency should cite the legal basis)
• Ask for any material that can be released with redactions
• File a Right-to-Know complaint with the Select Board or governing authority for municipal records or seek judicial review if necessary

6. Fees, timing, and delivery

Fees vary by agency. Many departments charge a small copying fee or a per-page cost for mailed copies. Electronic delivery (PDF) is often available and may be faster. Turnaround ranges from same-day to several weeks depending on demand and whether exemptions apply.

7. If your claim needs the record but the agency will not release it

If the insurer or you need material the police refuse to provide, attorneys sometimes use subpoenas or discovery in litigation to obtain withheld evidence. If you are pursuing a claim and cannot get essential records, consider consulting an attorney to discuss your options.

8. Practical tips for claims

• Request the report promptly — many insurers expect it as part of the initial claim package.
• Keep copies of any photos you took at the scene and witness contact info; these help if official evidence is delayed or limited.
• Ask your insurer to request the report directly from the responding agency — insurers frequently have established channels.

Where to start now: 1) Identify the responding agency (municipal police or NH State Police). 2) Call the records division and ask for the crash report request form/process. 3) Provide the crash date/location and pay the fee. 4) If the agency refuses, request the legal reason and consider a Right-to-Know request or legal help.

Relevant resources

• New Hampshire Department of Safety (NH State Police) records and crash information: https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/
• New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated index (Right‑to‑Know law and other statutes): https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/

Important disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Laws and agency practices change. For legal advice about your specific situation or if you have difficulty obtaining records you need for a claim, consult a licensed New Hampshire attorney.

Helpful Hints — Quick checklist when requesting a New Hampshire crash report

• Know the responding agency (municipal PD or NH State Police) before calling.
• Have the crash date, time, location, and driver names ready.
• Ask the agency for the report number — it speeds up searches.
• Request electronic delivery (PDF) to receive the report faster.
• Keep your own photos, contact info for witnesses, and notes taken at the scene.
• If the agency denies release, ask for the specific legal reason in writing.
• If you need evidence the agency will not release, consider consulting an attorney about subpoenas or Right-to-Know appeals.
• Give your insurance company permission to request the report — they may obtain it faster through their channels.