, or $250 a month. Drivers who choose the state minimum policy pay $2,112 a year. Car insurance generally costs more in New Jersey than in the rest of the country.
Car insurance in New Jersey is relatively expensive, with a state average rate of $3,007 per year for full coverage and $2,112 for minimum coverage. Auto insurance in New Jersey is so expensive, in part, because it is the most densely populated state in the country, but also because it is a no-fault state—which means drivers must purchase
, and vehicle type. We used four popular driver profiles to demonstrate the wide range of average auto insurance rates across the state.
The average New Jersey driver
An average driver over age 25 with a clean driving record in New Jersey pays about:
$3,007 per year for full coverage
$2,112 per year for state minimum coverage
The New Jersey teen driver
The average new driver in New Jersey pays about:
$5,876 per year for full coverage
$1,948 per year for minimum coverage
Why did my insurance go up in New Jersey?
As insurance companies in New Jersey try to recoup from pandemic losses and cope with the rising costs of inflation, they have raised auto insurance rates for their customers. Plus, the cost of auto repairs has gone up by about 50% in the last few years because of inflation, problems with the supply chain, and a lack of workers.
New Jersey also recently experienced an increase in the minimum amount of liability coverage required, with limits increasing from 15/30/5 to 25/50/25 for policies renewed or purchased after January 1st, 2023.
The result: significant increases in the overall average cost of insurance in the Garden State.
Why your rate went up: Your annual premium may have increased as a result of the above factors, or it may have increased because of individualized factors, like recent traffic infractions. Talk to your insurance agent or independent broker to determine the cause of your rate increases.
How you can navigate the crisis: Compare rates from multiple providers to ensure you have the best rate on your coverage.
When you shop with Jerry, you'll have access to competitive rates from the most reputable insurance providers in New Jersey.
Who pays the most for car insurance in New Jersey?
Congratulations if you are over the age of 25, have a clean driving record, and reside in a small town or rural area—you are likely paying among the lowest rates for New Jersey auto insurance.
However, young drivers under the age of 25, those with traffic violations and speeding tickets, and those living in densely populated areas typically pay more for the same level of auto insurance coverage. To get an idea of how much more you might have to pay if you fall into one of those categories, look at the tables below.
Teen drivers pay the highest rates of any group
Age
Average annual premium
22
$3,840
24
$2,874
23
$2,869
21
$2,775
High-risk drivers with DUIs and license suspensions pay higher rates
Violation
Average annual coverage
Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run
$3,922
Open Container
$2,928
Wrong Way/Wrong Lane
$2,702
Failure to Obey Traffic Sign
$2,627
Seat Belt
$2,544
Other
$2,535
Illegal Turn
$2,485
Careless Driving
$2,484
Suspension
$2,478
Speeding over 15
$2,428
Driving on Sus. License
$2,403
Cell Phone
$2,379
Speeding under 15
$2,343
DUI
$2,306
Improper Passing
$2,174
Defective Equipment
$1,937
Urban drivers pay more than in small towns and rural areas
City
Average annual coverage
Newark
$2,803
Jersey City
$2,651
Paterson
$2,786
Lakewood
$1,910
Elizabeth
$2,036
Edison
$2,036
Town
Average annual coverage
Burlington
$1,796
Forked River
$1,700
Atlantic Highlands
$1,528
Hopatcong
$1,648
Mountainside
$2,036
Pitman
$2,036
How to keep car insurance rates low in New Jersey
Finding affordable New Jersey auto insurance is possible even if your risk profile is higher. For the most affordable yearly premiums on New Jersey auto insurance, consider the following advice from the experts:
1. Look for discounts
Depending on your payment history, safe driving record, and other factors, you may be eligible for discounts on your auto insurance premium. Some of the best New Jersey
If you’re ready to replace your current ride, look at used models instead of brand-new vehicles. New Jersey drivers who opt for a car at least four model years old pay as much as 38% less for full coverage.
The bare minimum coverage provided by a New Jersey car insurance policy isn't enough for most drivers, but you don't have to break the bank to cover every possible contingency.
Our top pick for cheap car insurance coverage options in New Jersey that still covers everything you need is a policy that includes:
Bodily injury liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability coverage of at least $100,000
And don’t just compare quotes once—more than 70% of drivers never reshop their policy, which means that over 70% of drivers are leaving potential savings on the table. Jerry will proactively seek out competitive quotes whenever your policy is due for renewal, ensuring that you never pay more than necessary.
FAQs
Jerry's data analysts spent over 200 hours analyzing millions of actual car insurance quotes from New Jersey insurance companies in the previous year to determine the state's average car insurance premium.
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Jerry's data analysts spent over 200 hours analyzing millions of actual car insurance quotes from New Jersey insurance companies in the previous year to determine the state's average car insurance premium.