
Car insurance in the Garden State costs around the national average for full coverage but is more expensive than average for minimum coverage.
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Car insurance in New Jersey is relatively expensive compared to the national average, particularly minimum coverage. This is due to various factors, including that New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means that each driver’s insurance company covers their own injuries in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
In addition, New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the country, leading to an increased risk of traffic and accidents — and, in turn, higher insurance costs. Here’s what you need to know about the average cost of auto insurance in the Garden State as well as some ways to save.
At $2,432 per year for full coverage, New Jersey’s average cost of car insurance is right around the national average. However, minimum coverage in the state costs about double than the national average. Let’s examine how much you might pay on average for various demographics and locations in New Jersey.
If you live in a large or heavily populated city, you’ll pay more for car insurance because of the increased risk of vandalism, stolen vehicles, or accidents. Here’s the yearly average cost for full coverage auto insurance in several New Jersey cities.
City | Average annual rate for car insurance |
---|---|
Newark | $3,199 |
Paterson | $3,101 |
Elizabeth | $3,074 |
Passaic | $2,946 |
Union City | $2,796 |
Jersey City | $2,779 |
Camden | $2,710 |
Bayonne | $2,500 |
Trenton | $2,328 |
Toms River | $2,257 |
Insuring a teenager is almost always more expensive than insuring other age groups. In New Jersey, teens pay over $6,000 annually for car insurance on average, while adults and seniors pay less than $3,000 annually on average. Regardless of age, many carriers have discounts to help you lower your premium.
Age | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
16 | $6,166* |
18 | $6,937 |
Adults | $2,432 |
Seniors | $2,204 |
* Some data for 16-year-olds is for family policies, which is why it shows as less expensive than some older age groups
In New Jersey, car insurance companies can legally take gender into account when determining premiums. This tends to affect teens more than other age groups, as young men are more likely to be involved in accidents. This translates to higher average auto insurance rates.
Gender | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Male teens | $6,597 |
Female teens | $6,075 |
Buying more than the minimum car insurance will keep you, your passengers, and your vehicles better covered in case of an accident.
Coverage level | Average annual rate of car insurance |
---|---|
Full | $2,432 |
Minimum | $1,266 |
Improving your driving record will net you significant savings on your auto insurance premium in New Jersey. To deduct points from your driving record, you can take one of the pre-approved defensive driving courses.1
Driving record | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
At-fault accident | $2,762 |
Clean driving record | $2,432 |
DUI conviction | $4,183 |
Speeding ticket | $2,572 |
Each issuer has its own way of calculating rates, which is why you’ll see such variances in cost. IGEICO has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in New Jersey on average at $1,507 per year.
Company | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Allstate | $2,404 |
GEICO | $1,507 |
Progressive | $1,798 |
NJM | $1,674 |
State Farm | $2,149 |
Travelers | $1,691 |
New Jersey residents may have their credit score considered by insurance companies when writing policies. The less robust your credit history is, the higher your insurance costs will be.
Credit score | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Excellent | $1,610 |
Good | $2,254 |
Fair | $2,721 |
Poor | $3,450 |
To raise your credit score, pay your bills on time and reduce your overall debt-to-income ratio.
Because New Jersey has some of the country’s highest insurance rates, searching for the cheapest auto insurance policy is particularly important. Here are some of the lowest costs for a variety of demographics and situations:
Demographic | Cheapest Insurance company | Annual rate |
---|---|---|
Full coverage | GEICO | $1,507 |
Minimum coverage | GEICO | $673 |
Poor credit | GEICO | $2,654 |
Speeding ticket | GEICO | $1,507 |
Accident | NJM | $1,681 |
DUI | New Jersey Manufacturers | $2,015 |
Teens | GEICO | $2,770 |
Good drivers | GEICO | $1,507 |
With the high cost of car insurance in New Jersey, you’ll want to find ways to lower your premium. Keep in mind that you’ll want to weigh cost as well as your coverage needs and companies’ customer service records to find the best New Jersey auto insurance for you.
New Jersey requires the following insurance:2
New Jersey’s minimum requirements are relatively low compared to other states. Having more coverage than the minimum reduces your chances of paying out-of-pocket expenses related to an accident.
The Garden State has a no-fault system, with a restriction on filing a lawsuit against an at-fault driver. You can ask for additional damages beyond PIP insurance if you select the unlimited right to sue when picking your auto insurance policy. In that case, you can seek compensation for:
New Jersey also has modified comparative negligence laws, which mean you must be found less than 50 percent at fault in an accident to get any compensation. If you were partially at fault for the crash but less than 50 percent liable, your compensation would be lowered based on the fault degree.
New Jersey law mandates the immediate reporting of any car accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage worth more than $500. Those who don’t could be fined $30 to $100 and face a license suspension.
You might be required to file a SR-22 certificate in New Jersey in these circumstances:
You will likely have to file the SR-22 for three years.
The cost of full coverage auto insurance in New Jersey is on par with the national average, but minimum coverage rates run much higher — about twice the national average. Maintaining a clean record and improving your credit are good long-term strategies for lowering your auto insurance rates. In the short-term, to find low rates, compare quotes from at least three companies. GEICO, NJM, and USAA tend to have some of the cheapest rates in New Jersey.
We analyze average auto insurance premiums in New Jersey for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit. We also analyzed premiums for drivers with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, low credit, DUIs, and households with teens. Full coverage averages use the following limits:
While it doesn’t have the most expensive car insurance rates in the U.S, New Jersey does have high average premiums, particularly for minimum coverage. premiums. That’s likely because of heavier traffic patterns in its urban areas and the state’s no-fault insurance system, as well as proximity to other major cities like New York City.
Yes, you can be denied auto insurance. However, the carrier must provide a reason for the denial, such as that you don’t meet the company’s criteria for acceptance.
If you receive a conviction for driving without auto insurance in New Jersey, you will lose your license for 12 months, plus pay more than $1,000 in fines, court costs, and surcharges. In addition, you could be sentenced to perform community service.
Usually, all the drivers listed on your household’s policy may drive your vehicles and be covered under your liability insurance. In addition, drivers who have your permission to operate your vehicle temporarily are also covered under your policy.
No, you do not need a state-issued driver’s license to register a vehicle in New Jersey. However, it does make it easier to fill out the paperwork if you do have a New Jersey driver’s license.
Driver Programs. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. (2025).
https://www.nj.gov/mvc/license/driverprograms.htm
The Basic Automobile Insurance Policy. New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance. (2024).
https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_consumers/insurance/basicpolicy.shtml