Key Takeaways: New Jersey Car Insurance
NJM, Plymouth Rock, and CSAA are the cheapest car insurance companies in New Jersey.
Liability insurance in New Jersey costs an average of $185 per month, while full-coverage car insurance averages $256 per month.
The overall average cost of car insurance in New Jersey is $220 per month.
Uninsured driving rates are rising faster in New Jersey than in most other states.
Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in New Jersey
New Jersey drivers pay $185 per month on average for liability coverage. That’s more expensive than the national average of $100 per month. Full-coverage car insurance in New Jersey averages $256 monthly, compared to the national average of $184.
These higher costs are partly due to the state’s high population density.[1] More people usually means more cars on the road, which increases the risk of accidents. Plus, many of the most popular cars in New Jersey are among the most stolen vehicles in the nation, which can increase comprehensive coverage premiums.
NJM offers the lowest average rates in New Jersey, starting at $120 per month. Plymouth Rock and CSAA also have some of the cheapest car insurance in the state.
That said, these may not be the cheapest companies for you. How much you pay for car insurance in New Jersey depends on several factors, like your ZIP code and driving record.
The table below shows the cheapest insurers for full-coverage and liability-only insurance in New Jersey, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium: Liability-Only | Average Monthly Premium: Full-Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| NJM | $120 | $148 |
| Plymouth Rock | $133 | $200 |
| CSAA | $151 | $224 |
| Allstate | $173 | $299 |
| Direct Auto | $178 | $313 |
| Progressive | $180 | $259 |
| GEICO | $224 | $288 |
| Mercury | $227 | $306 |
| Liberty Mutual | $266 | $321 |
| State Farm | $281 | $346 |
Average Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey Cities
Car insurance quotes vary widely across New Jersey. Drivers in Brick pay some of the cheapest rates in the state, averaging $173 per month. Newark drivers pay significantly more for coverage, averaging $173 per month.
The table below compares average monthly rates across cities in New Jersey, according to Compare.com data.
City | Average Monthly Premium: Liability-Only | Average Monthly Premium: Full-Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Toms River | $154 | $217 |
| Brick | $157 | $189 |
| Edison | $165 | $255 |
| Hoboken | $165 | $264 |
| Vineland | $173 | $240 |
| Bayonne | $182 | $288 |
| Fair Lawn | $194 | $284 |
| Kearny | $194 | $269 |
| Trenton | $194 | $272 |
| Bloomfield | $197 | $249 |
| Jersey City | $200 | $278 |
| Fort Lee | $213 | $311 |
| Clifton | $215 | $294 |
| Linden | $215 | $326 |
| Roselle | $227 | $310 |
| West New York | $232 | $320 |
| Plainfield | $233 | $336 |
| Perth Amboy | $235 | $314 |
| Elizabeth | $244 | $353 |
| Paterson | $244 | $360 |
| East Orange | $245 | $367 |
| Camden | $248 | $340 |
| Newark | $257 | $378 |
| Irvington | $258 | $355 |
| Passaic | $258 | $356 |
New Jersey Driver Insights
New Jersey driving trends can influence insurance rates. Below are a few factors affecting premiums in the Garden State, according to Compare.com data.
More accidents than other traffic violations: In New Jersey, 5% drivers have an accident on their record. But only 3% of drivers have a ticket, and fewer than 1% have a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction.
Fewer miles driven: New Jersey drivers travel an average of 8,733 miles per year. That’s fewer than many other states.
Driver own their vehicles: About 74% of New Jersey drivers own their vehicles. Only 3% of drivers lease their vehicles.
High uninsured rates: As of 2023, about 14% of New Jersey drivers don’t have insurance.[2] That’s a sharp jump from 3% in 2019.
Compare Car Insurance in New Jersey
Check rates from the Garden State’s top insurers and save money in minutes.
Why It’s Important to Compare Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
Car insurance premiums can vary widely between New Jersey cities. Rates can even differ by ZIP code within the same city. That’s why it’s so important to compare rates.
The table below shows the average car insurance rates by city in New Jersey, according to Compare.com data.
Average Premium $256/mo* | Average Premium $267/mo* | Average Premium $220/mo* | Average Premium $406/mo* | Average Premium $167/mo* |
Overall Rating | Overall Rating | Overall Rating | Overall Rating | Overall Rating |
Value | Value | Value | Value | Value |
Customer Service | Customer Service | Customer Service | Customer Service | Customer Service |
Claims Handling | Claims Handling | Claims Handling | Claims Handling | Claims Handling |
Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 825 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 26 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 1044 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 91 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 8 user reviews |
The Best Car Insurance Companies in New Jersey
We chose these insurers as some of the best in New Jersey based on a mix of affordability, value, customer reviews, and other factors. But you have plenty of stand-out options in the state, including NJM, CSAA, and Progressive. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find the best price for your coverage.
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|
NJM offers affordable coverage for new cars while earning some of the highest customer and claims satisfaction ratings in the region. The company offers discounts for new cars and full coverage, great for the 25% of New Jersey drivers who finance or lease their cars. The insurer also offers various other coverages, including rideshare coverage and gap insurance.
New car and full-coverage discounts available
Many coverage options available, including gap insurance
Senior discount not available
Few digital tools available
| J.D. Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 666 |
|---|
New Jersey AAA members can enjoy a variety of perks with CSAA. The insurer offers discounts on travel, shopping, and identity theft protection. New Jersey is home to Princeton, and students can save with CSAA’s good student discount. The company also offers a discount to teen drivers who complete the teenSMART program.
Offers savings on travel, hotels, and more
12 discounts available, including for teen drivers
Accident forgiveness not available
Higher-than-average rates after an accident
| J.D. Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 622 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.3 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $180/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $259/mo |
Customers appreciate the initial affordability and claim handling but dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, as well as the poor customer service.
Progressive offers accident forgiveness for both small and large accidents, which is helpful if you travel on high-congestion roads like Interstate 80 and Interstate 95. You can also get a deductible credit for every policy term you go without an accident. The Progressive loyalty program rewards longtime customers with discounts and priority call routing.
Accident forgiveness and deductible savings account available
Loyalty rewards available
Lower-than-average customer satisfaction rating
New car replacement coverage not available
How we chose the best car insurance in NJ
Our editorial team, composed of seasoned editors, insurance experts, and licensed agents, analyzed more than 50 of the state’s top insurers to select the best companies for various New Jersey drivers. We researched, analyzed, and weighed several categories important to New Jersey insurance shoppers, including average rates, local customer satisfaction ratings, coverage options, discount offerings, policy features, and more.
Our goal is to provide actionable advice and detailed, personalized analysis that helps New Jersey drivers find the best auto insurance policy for their unique needs.
New Jersey Car Insurance Requirements
New Jersey is a no-fault state, and recently increased its minimum insurance requirements.[3] Here are the state’s new minimums:
Bodily injury liability: You need $35,000 per person and $70,000 per accident for injuries you cause to others.
Property damage liability: You also need $25,000 per accident for damage you cause to someone else’s property.
Personal injury protection (PIP): You need $15,000 of PIP coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Your UM/UIM coverage must match your liability limits.
Drivers who want a lower premium can opt for a Basic Auto Insurance Policy through the state. But New Jersey’s state-sponsored insurance has lower limits. Basic Policies include $5,000 of property damage liability, $15,000 of PIP, and no UM/UIM coverage.
Going without insurance in New Jersey could mean fines, community service, license suspension, and surcharges on future premiums.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in New Jersey
Compare the lowest quotes in the state, starting at an average of $120 per month.
What Affects Car Insurance Rates in New Jersey?
Many factors affect car insurance costs in New Jersey, including:
Population density: Many New Jersey residents live in dense urban areas. More people typically means more cars on the road, which can increase car insurance costs.
High theft rates: Six of the most popular vehicle models in New Jersey are among the most stolen in the U.S. — the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Camry, Altima, and Elantra. High theft rates increase risk and drive up premiums.
Uninsured drivers: Though New Jersey has slightly fewer-than-average uninsured drivers, uninsured claims in the state are rising faster than in other states.
Natural disaster costs: Natural disasters are becoming more expensive in New Jersey, with an average annual cost of nearly $3 billion between 2017 and 2023.[4] More frequent disasters increase rates for everyone.
How to Find the Cheapest New Jersey Car Insurance
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Here are a few tips to find the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey:
Ask about usage-based insurance (UBI). If you don’t drive often, you may save money with a UBI policy. UBI typically includes a base rate, then charges you only for the miles you actually drive.
Keep a clean driving record. Though New Jersey drivers have fewer tickets and DUIs than drivers in other states, 5% of drivers have an accident on their record. A driving history with traffic violations usually means higher rates.
Bundle your policies. Many insurers offer savings if you insure more than one car on the same policy. You may also get a discount for combining your auto and homeowners insurance with the same company.
Lower your coverage limits. Consider going without comprehensive and collision coverage if you can afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.
Compare quotes. Shop around and check rates from several companies. The cheapest insurer can vary by ZIP code, driving record, vehicle, and coverage level.
More New Jersey Car Insurance Resources
Below are some useful resources for New Jersey drivers:
Car Insurance In New Jersey FAQs
Below, we’ve answered the most common questions New Jersey drivers ask about getting cheaper car insurance.
How have car insurance rates in New Jersey changed over time?
New Jersey car insurance rates have risen recently, with state regulators approving rate increases for multiple insurers. Drivers in the Garden State pay an average of $220 per month for coverage. How much you pay for car insurance can vary by insurer, ZIP code, coverage level, and driving history.
What’s considered full-coverage car insurance in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, full-coverage car insurance usually includes standard liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP), and UM/UIM coverage. Full coverage also usually includes comprehensive and collision coverage to help cover damage to your vehicle.
How can you get the best car insurance quotes in New Jersey?
Comparing quotes from several insurers is the easiest way to get the best car insurance quotes in New Jersey. Make sure you use the same coverage limits, deductible, and driver details for the most accurate results. Rates can vary widely because insurers weigh factors differently, including your location, vehicle, claims history, and coverage choices.
Is NJM a good choice for car insurance in New Jersey?
It depends. NJM may be a good choice for many New Jersey drivers. The company offers some of the lowest average rates in the state. It also ranks No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic region for customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Does a basic car insurance policy have enough coverage in New Jersey?
Usually, no. New Jersey’s state-sponsored Basic Auto Insurance Policy has very limited protection. A Basic Policy includes $5,000 of property damage liability and $15,000 of PIP. It doesn’t include personal injury liability or UM/UIM coverage. A Basic Policy can help you meet the state’s minimum requirements, but $5,000 usually isn’t enough to cover the cost of an accident.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau. "Highest Density."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists."
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. "Insurance Requirements."
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "New Jersey Summary."
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
- All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
- None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
- Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
- All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.
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