How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in New Jersey?
rivers in New Jersey can compare multiple cheap car insurance coverage options with free insurance quotes & rates from local providers. We will break down the average auto insurance policy costs in this guide based on different driver demographics in NJ.
- NJ minimum liability on average costs $120 a month or $1,413 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $296 a month or $3,577 yearly.
CheapCarInsurance pulls cost data from recent real time auto policy quotes across the state. Data is based on a driver profile of a single person with a clean driving record that is middle aged and drives a modern vehicle.
“The Garden State” of New Jersey is the most densely populated state in America. But that doesn’t keep “New Jerseyans” from welcoming tourists and business travelers into their borders all through the year. Tourists drive to this New England state to see beautiful Cape May, historic Trenton and refreshing Surf City. New Jersey has American history on every corner, and visitors and residents alike can see Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments, visit the boardwalk or take one of the many tours through the places America’s historical figures have lived, worked and died. Driving up the Atlantic Coast must involve a good drive through this All-American state. CheapCarInsurance.net wants to keep New Jersey visitors and residents safe on that drive, so this list of helpful New Jersey car insurance information should make the drive a little safer. Cheap car insurance in NJ can be hard to find, but CheapCarInsurance.net will find you cheap car insurance quotes in NJ and the best car insurance in NJ with no work on your part.
Auto Policy Rates by NJ County & Vehicle Type
The average cost for car insurance according to our database is around $1,692 per year for full coverage. There are a few factors that will affect your overall costs and the quotes you compare. Here is a helpful table showing the average costs of car insurance by vehicle type and the city you live in New Jersey:
| County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | $880 | $693 | $901 | $825 | $830 |
| Bergen | $891 | $691 | $908 | $841 | $837 |
| Burlington | $836 | $665 | $862 | $782 | $789 |
| Camden | $846 | $678 | $877 | $793 | $800 |
| Cape May | $845 | $662 | $863 | $790 | $797 |
| Cumberland | $922 | $719 | $939 | $865 | $870 |
| Essex | $891 | $691 | $908 | $841 | $837 |
| Gloucester | $898 | $698 | $912 | $837 | $847 |
| Hudson | $985 | $778 | $1,020 | $917 | $928 |
| Hunterdon | $839 | $652 | $848 | $799 | $791 |
Who Offers the Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey?
When shopping for car insurance in NJ, you often want to find the most affordable policy while also fulfilling all of your coverage needs for your vehicle. From our data it shows that in the last few years Geico and NJM insurance offer the most affordable coverage across the state. While it’s best to compare multiple quotes from different providers, it’s also helpful to know which insurance providers tend to have the cheapest auto insurance on average which can be found below:
| Insurance Providers: | State Minimum Coverage Annual: | Average Monthly Premium: |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $555 | $46 |
| NJM Insurance | $693 | $58 |
| All State | $948 | $79 |
| Progressive | $1,218 | $102 |
| State Farm | $1,234 | $103 |
Car Insurance Costs by Age
As most drivers know your age is a deciding factor in how much your car insurance will cost in New Jersey. Younger drivers will often pay a higher premium for auto coverage and as you age insurance providers will often determine you are less of a risk and provide lower priced premiums as seen below:
| NJ Auto Insurance by Age: | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Age: 16 – 20 | $1,720 | $1,613 |
| Age: 21 – 25 | $901 | $871 |
| Age: 25 – 40 | $663 | $708 |
| Age: 40 – 50 | $644 | $689 |
| Age: 50+ | $673 | $701 |
Which Vehicle Type Is Most Expensive to Insure in NJ?
Vehicle type can also determine the overall price of your auto insurance coverage, below is data pulled from multiple drivers in New Jersey based on the vehicle type they drove and the average costs of each:
| Vehicle Type: | 2015 -2019 Model: | 2020 - 2023 Model: | Average Monthly Payment: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury: | $918 | $926 | $77 |
| Electric / Hybrids: | $965 | $913 | $78 |
| SUV: | $902 | $843 | $73 |
| Truck: | $940 | $914 | $77 |
| Car / Sedan: | $1,048 | $924 | $82 |
Minimum Requirements for Car Insurance in New Jersey
- The New Jersey Department of Insurance requires all drivers in the state to have a New Jersey car insurance policy and be covered by Liability Insurance, Personal Injury Protection and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.
- Liability Coverage minimums:
- $15,000 per individual to cover bodily injury or death.
- $30,000 per accident involving bodily injuries or deaths.
- $5,000 for property damage.
- Personal Injury Protection minimums:
- $15,000 per individual to cover personal bodily injuries
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist minimums:
- $15,000 per individual to cover bodily injury or death.
- $30,000 per accident involving bodily injuries or deaths.
- $5,000 for property damage.
At CheapCarInsurance.net, we can help you find the best policy for auto insurance in NJ and provide you with an insurance quote that meets your needs. There is no need to begin your search by working with an insurance agent; just call us today to find the best rates.
New Driver Licensing Requirements:
- According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) every driver who operates a vehicle in the state must carry a New Jersey driver license. The state holds to an extensive Graduated Driver License (GDL) program that includes three separate options based on age. A full explanation of these options can be found on the MVC website.
- Student Learner’s Permit. Beginning at age 16, applicants may obtain this permit by passing the vision and knowledge tests, paying the fee and enrolling in a driver education course. While holding this permit, the following applies:
- The applicant must hold the permit for 6 months.
- The applicant may not drive between 11pm and 5am.
- The applicant must be accompanied by a New Jersey licensed driver age 21 or older who has at least 3 years of driving experience.
- Only one passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- No cell phone use is permitted
- Certain restricted hours are exempted for specific activities listed on the MVC’s website.
- Probationary License. At age 17, applicants are eligible for a Probationary license. The applicant must fulfill the requirements for the Student Learner’s Permit and pass the road skills test. While holding this license, the following applies:
- The applicant may not drive between 11pm and 5am.
- Only one passenger is allowed unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- No cell phone use is permitted
- Basic Driver License. To obtain a full driver license, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Complete the unsupervised driving period (Probationary License phase)
- Visit a local MVC office to have the license changed to a Basic Driver License.
- Vision Exam. To obtain an unrestricted Basic License, the applicant must pass the vision test with a visual acuity of at least 20/50 in at least one eye. Corrective lenses may be worn, and failure of the test results in the applicant’s responding to an eye care physician for an evaluation.
- Knowledge Test. The knowledge test is fully based on the New Jersey Driver’s Manual and consists of 50 questions. Applicants must achieve an 80 percent to pass, and multiple language options are available.
- Road Skills Test. A 10 to 15 minute road test is an evaluation of the applicant’s ability to safely maneuver a vehicle. The vehicle, provided by the applicant, must be licensed, registered and insured, and it must be in proper working order. More information for the road test can found on the MVC’s website and in the driver’s manual. A few of the skills tested are:
- Backing
- Stopping at appropriate signs
- Approaching intersections and/or corners
- Stopping smoothly
- Correct posture
- Turning around
- Parallel parking
- Steering
- Yield right-of-way
- Failure of the road skills test requires a 2-week waiting period for a re-test. If the applicant fails the test more than twice, the MVC may require a 6-month waiting period to allow additional driving practice.
- Fees. New Jersey drivers are required to pay the following license fees:
- Student Learner’s Permit, $10.
- Examination Permit (for drivers beginning the process at age 17), $10
- Basic Driver License, $24
Insurance. Newly licensed drivers are required to have an insurance policy. Finding insurance can be overwhelming, but a quote from CheapCarInsurance.net for auto insurance in NJ will save you credit and financial stress.
DUI & DWI Laws in NJ
- BAC limit: .08 New Jersey’s MVC website explains the penalties for a DUI conviction in the state. The Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) exacts fees from offenders for each offense, and listed below are the major penalties involved in New Jersey DUI convictions:
- First Offense:
- Fine: $250 to $400
- BAC .10 or greater: $300 to $500
- Jail: maximum 30 days
- License suspension: 3 months
- BAC .10 or greater: 7 months to 1 year
- IDRC: 12 to 48 hours and $100 fee
- BAC .10 or greater: 12 to 48 hours and $230 fee
- Drunk driving fund: $100
- Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund (AERF) fee: $100
- Surcharge: $1,000 per year for 3 years
- Neighborhood services fund (NSF) fee: $75
- Fine: $250 to $400
- Second Offense within 10 Years:
- Fine: $500 to $1,000
- Jail: 48 hours to 90 days
- License suspension: 2 years
- IDRC: 12 to 48 hours and $280 fee
- Drunk driving fund: $100
- Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund (AERF) fee: $100
- Surcharge: $1,000 per year for 3 years
- Neighborhood services fund (NSF) fee: $75
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID) during suspension and 1-3 years following reinstatement.
- Third Offense within 10 Years:
- Fine: $1,000
- Jail: 180 days
- License suspension: 10 years
- IDRC: 12 to 48 hours and $280 fee
- Drunk driving fund: $100
- Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Fund (AERF) fee: $100
- Surcharge: $1,500 per year for 3 years
- Neighborhood services fund (NSF) fee: $75
- Ignition Interlock Device (IID) during suspension and 1-3 years following reinstatement.
