Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey car insurance quotes and key takeaways
How much is car insurance in NJ?
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $249 per month in New Jersey. The average cost of minimum coverage insurance is $137 per month.
What's the cheapest full coverage car insurance in NJ?
Geico ($141/mo), NJM ($168/mo), Plymouth Rock ($178/mo)
Why is car insurance so expensive in New Jersey?
Many parts of NJ are densely populated, which typically leads to more accidents and car thefts.
What's the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in NJ?
Geico ($66/mo), Plymouth Rock ($85/mo), NJM ($92/mo)
How much is car insurance in NJ?
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $249 per month in New Jersey. The average cost of minimum coverage insurance is $137 per month.
Why is car insurance so expensive in NJ?
Many parts of NJ are densely populated, which typically leads to more accidents and car thefts.
What's the cheapest full coverage car insurance in NJ?
Geico ($141/mo), NJM ($168/mo), Plymouth Rock ($178/mo)
What's the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in NJ?
Geico ($66/mo), Plymouth Rock ($85/mo), NJM ($92/mo)
If you haven’t checked your car insurance rate in a while, you’re not alone. But comparing car insurance takes minutes and can save you $1,800 per year in NJ.
Car insurance quotes in New Jersey
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in New Jersey is $249 per month, or $2,988 per year. That's 20% higher than the national average.
Drivers looking to save money can typically find the cheapest rates at Geico. If you're willing to pay more for upgraded coverage and excellent customer service, NJM is usually the best choice.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in New Jersey
In 2026, the average cost of full coverage car insurance is $249 per month in New Jersey. That makes NJ the ninth-most expensive state for car insurance in the U.S.
Based on our analysis of 146,000+ quotes, there are a handful of companies where you can find cheaper full coverage rates in New Jersey, including Geico, NJM and Plymouth Rock.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in NJ
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
Cheapest liability insurance in NJ
The average cost of minimum coverage car insurance is $137 per month in New Jersey, which is $112 per month less than a full coverage policy. But liability-only coverage doesn't have as much protection as full coverage, which is why it's so much cheaper.
If you're shopping for the absolute cheapest car insurance you can find in New Jersey, you should compare quotes from Geico, Plymouth Rock and NJM. All three companies cost significantly less than the New Jersey average, based on our analysis of thousands of quotes across the state.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in NJ for liability only
Understanding minimum coverage insurance in New Jersey
New Jersey offers two types of car insurance coverage: a stripped-down "Basic" policy or a "Standard" policy. Basic policies are cheaper, but that's because the coverage is limited.
Basic policies don't automatically come with bodily injury coverage, which means you could be on the hook for any injuries that you cause in an accident. Injuries from car accidents can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars or more, which is enough to financially cripple most people.
Choosing a Standard policy gives you access to more coverage options and higher coverage limits, which give you better protection.
Auto insurance rates in New Jersey by city
A handful of towns along the Jersey Shore have the cheapest car insurance rates in NJ, at $210 per month for full coverage.
This includes Bay Head, Brielle Manasquan, Mantoloking, Normandy Beach, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach and Sea Girt.
Newark and Irvington, an adjacent township, have the most expensive New Jersey car insurance rates.
At $376 per month, full coverage in Newark and Irvington costs $127 per month more than the New Jersey average.
The price of car insurance changes based on where you live. Areas with narrow, poorly maintained roads that lead to more car accidents, as well as places with high rates of car theft, generally have more expensive quotes.
Who has the best car insurance in NJ?
ValuePenguin chose NJM as the best car insurance company in New Jersey based on customer service reviews, useful coverage add-ons, helpful discounts, proprietary pricing data and respected third-party ratings, such as J.D. Power and AM Best.
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Full coverage rate$186/moThis analysis used auto insurance quotes for a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage. Read our methodology.
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Claims process9.0/10Claims rating is based on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index. Read our methodology.
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AM Best ratingA+An A+ financial strength rating.
Cheapest NJ auto insurance for young drivers: Geico
Young drivers in New Jersey pay three times more for car insurance than older drivers. That's because teens have less driving experience and tend to get in more accidents.
If you're a teen shopping for car insurance in New Jersey, consider Geico. It has the cheapest full coverage and minimum liability quotes in the state.
However, rates vary based on individual factors like your age, the city you live in and your driving record. So it's a good idea to compare quotes from a few different companies to find the best rates for you.
Best NJ car insurance companies for teens
Money-saving tip: Share a policy with your family
Young drivers should stay on their parent's insurance policy to save on car insurance rates. Adding an 18-year-old driver to an existing policy is much more affordable than buying a stand-alone policy as a teen.
Cheapest auto insurance in NJ after a speeding ticket or accident
Tickets and accidents can cause your car insurance rates to go up significantly. That's because car insurance companies in New Jersey believe that drivers with a bad record are more likely to cause an accident in the future, which makes them more expensive to insure.
If you recently got a ticket or caused an accident, you can save money by comparing quotes from Plymouth Rock, Geico and NJM. But don't rush to buy a new policy right away. Your rates typically won't go up until until your current policy renews.
Best auto insurance in NJ after a ticket
In New Jersey, full coverage car insurance rates go up by an average of 29% after your first speeding ticket and 73% after you cause an accident. But just because you have a bad driving record doesn't mean you have to settle for expensive insurance rates.
Money-saving tip: Compare multiple quotes
It's even more important to shop around for multiple quotes after a ticket or accident. You should compare quote from three or more insurance companies to make sure you're getting the best deal.
There's a difference of over $5,000 per year between the most and least expensive car insurance companies in New Jersey if you've caused a car crash. That’s like adding a $400 monthly bill just for choosing the wrong insurance company.
Cheap insurance in NJ for teens with a ticket or accident
Teens can have a very hard time finding affordable car insurance after a speeding ticket or accident. In fact, teen drivers in New Jersey can expect their car insurance rates to go up by around 16% after one speeding ticket and 60% after their first accident.
In our experience reviewing thousands of quotes, ValuePenguin found that Geico still offers very affordable car insurance for teens, even with a bad driving record.
Best quotes in NJ for teens after a ticket or accident
Money-saving tip: Look for discounts tailored to teens
There's not much you can do to stop your rates from going up after a ticket or accident. But many car insurance companies offer discounts geared toward teen drivers that can help you save money.
For example, most insurance companies offer a good student discount for having a 3.0 or B GPA or higher.
The cheapest company in NJ for teens with a bad driving record, Geico, offers up to 15% off for good grades. That could result in a savings of $18 to $19, or the cost of a new video game.
Affordable car insurance in NJ after a DUI: Geico
A DUI is one of the most serious driving offenses, and it could cause your car insurance rates to skyrocket. That's because insurance companies will see you as a very risky driver and worry that you'll cause major property damage or hurt someone in an accident.
After a DUI, the average cost of car insurance in New Jersey increases to $448 per month for full coverage. That's $199 per month more than a driver with a clean record pays for coverage.
New Jersey drivers with a DUI may be able to save money by comparing quotes from Geico, Plymouth Rock, NJM and Progressive. All of these companies offer below-average rates, so it's worth comparing quotes from them to find the best price for you.
Cheapest New Jersey car insurance rates after a DUI
Low-cost car insurance in NJ for drivers with poor credit: NJM
In New Jersey, people with poor credit pay twice as much for car insurance as those with good credit scores. That's because insurance companies believe drivers with poor credit are more likely to make a claim.
If you have bad credit, NJM is probably your best bet for finding affordable car insurance. Its full coverage rates are $100 per month less than the second-cheapest company, on average.
Cheap auto insurance in New Jersey for poor credit
How have car insurance rates in New Jersey changed over time?
Add blurb
New Jersey auto insurance coverage requirements
New Jersey drivers need to have a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally.
As of January 1, 2026, New Jersey drivers must have a policy with at least 35/70/25 of liability insurance along with personal injury protection.
- Bodily injury liability: $35,000 per person and $70,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,000
If you currently have a minimum liability policy, you don't have to do anything. Your insurance company should automatically increase your limits to meet the new requirement on January 1.
However, your rates may go up, since you'll have more protection.
New Jersey drivers have the option of choosing between different types of policies:
- A basic policy is the minimum coverage required by the state. These are the cheapest car insurance plans available. Some basic policies don’t let you add on comprehensive and collision insurance, depending on the company.
- A standard policy has better liability coverage than the basic plan. You also have the option to add on uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- A full coverage plan is when you add comprehensive and collision coverage to a standard policy. If you have a car loan or lease, you'll typically need to have full coverage.
Limited vs. unlimited right to sue for noneconomic losses
New Jersey's car insurance regulations are unique, as drivers who buy a standard or full coverage policy have the choice of a limited or unlimited right to sue for noneconomic losses after a car crash. Basically, this is the ability to sue for pain and suffering.
What are noneconomic losses?
Noneconomic losses are losses that can't be easily determined, such as the loss of companionship or pleasure in life. They're often referred to as "pain and suffering" losses. This is different from suing for measurable damages, like lost income from missing work or medical payments to cover your hospital bills.
What's the difference between a limited and unlimited right to sue?
A limited right to sue means you agree beforehand not to sue for pain and suffering. You can only sue for pain and suffering if your injury results in the loss of a limb, major disfigurement or scarring, a displaced fracture, the loss of a fetus, permanent injury to a body part or organ so that it can't heal normally or death.
Picking a limited right to sue (basic policies) usually means paying lower rates. An unlimited right to sue (standard policies) can cost about 75% more than the limited option.
You can sue for economic losses with either type of policy, but you have to pick between a limited right to sue and an unlimited right to sue for noneconomic losses.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in NJ?
The average cost of auto insurance in New Jersey is $249 per month for a full coverage policy and around $137 per month for a minimum coverage policy.
What is the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey?
In 2026, Geico has the cheapest car insurance quotes in NJ for most drivers. A minimum coverage policy from Geico costs around $66 per month. For better coverage after a crash, Geico's full coverage costs about $141 per month. This saves you about half of the state's average rates.
Who has the best car insurance rates in New Jersey?
NJM is the best car insurance company in Jew Jersey in 2026 because it has affordable rates and excellent service. Full coverage from NJM costs an average of $168 per month. For a basic policy, minimum coverage from NJM costs $92 per month.
Why is NJ car insurance so expensive?
New Jersey is the third-most expensive state for minimum-coverage insurance, and the eighth-most expensive for full coverage.
Is Progressive cheaper than NJM?
No, Progressive tends to be more expensive than NJM. A full coverage policy from NJM costs around $168 per month in New Jersey, while Progressive charges $233 per month.
Methodology
To find the best cheap NJ auto insurance companies, ValuePenguin collected thousands of rates from ZIP codes across New Jersey for the largest insurance companies in the state. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with good credit who owns a 2018 Honda Civic EX.
Rates are for a full coverage policy with collision and comprehensive coverage plus higher liability limits than state minimum requirements.
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, and $100,000 per accident
- $50,000 of property damage liability
- $50,000 of bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage per person, and $100,000 per accident
- $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP)
- Collision and comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible
ValuePenguin's analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurance company filings and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your own quotes may be different.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
