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The cheapest car insurance in New Jersey is from Geico at average rates of $1,472 per year for full coverage and $633 per year for minimum coverage
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Key Takeaways:
New Jersey is one of the many states that has seen substantial increases to auto insurance premiums in recent years. But while coverage may be getting more expensive in The Garden State, drivers can still find relatively affordable coverage from some of the best car insurance companies in the country.
In this guide to cheap car insurance in New Jersey, you’ll find rate estimates for drivers in different ages, risk categories and cities from highly-rated companies from Quadrant Information Services. We also dive into some of the reasons why car insurance rates have been going up in New Jersey, and what you can do to increase your chances of finding the best prices on auto coverage.
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Starting at low rates of $53 a month on average, Geico offers the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey, according to our research. You can also find affordable rates from NJM, State Farm, Travelers and Selective Insurance in The Garden State.
The table below breaks down the cheapest car insurance companies and their average rates for different driver categories:
| Cheapest Car Insurance in N.J. (by category) | Cheapest Car Insurance Company in N.J. | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Liability Coverage | Geico | $53 |
| Full Coverage | Geico | $123 |
| Young Drivers | Geico*** | $267** |
| Seniors | Geico | $98** |
| After A Speeding Ticket | Geico | $123** |
| After An Accident | NJM | $143** |
| After A DUI | NJM | $175** |
| Bad Credit | Selective Insurance | $202** |
Below you can compare our top five cheapest car insurance companies in N.J.:
Click each company name to find out more about their rates, discounts, coverage options and service reputation. We recommend comparing both large car insurance companies and smaller insurers to get the best deals.
*The annual premiums presented are based on averages between minimum and full coverage auto insurance quotes we received from Quadrant Information Services.
Geico offers the cheapest full and minimum car insurance coverage overall in the state of New Jersey. Below, we’ve broken down the cheapest policy averages for both coverage levels.
You can find the cheapest minimum liability car insurance in New Jersey from Geico at average yearly rates of $633 per year. It offers rates that are about 53% cheaper than the state average of $1,332 per year.
| Cheapest Liability Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $53 | $633 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $62 | $741 |
| 3. Palisades Insurance | $80 | $959 |
| 4. Selective Insurance | $94 | $1,130 |
| 5. State Farm | $96 | $1,150 |
Read more: Cheapest Minimum Liability Auto Insurance
The cheapest full-coverage car insurance in New Jersey is from Geico, which is about $123 per month. This is around 41% cheaper than the state average of $209 per month.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $123 | $1,472 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $143 | $1,714 |
| 3. Travelers | $146 | $1,753 |
| 4. Progressive | $173 | $2,071 |
| 5. State Farm | $175 | $2,099 |
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in New Jersey for young drivers between 16 and 25 years old, Geico tends to have the most affordable rates. Below, you’ll find the cheapest providers and their average rates for this age group.
Based on our research, Geico offers the cheapest auto insurance rates for 16-year-old drivers in New Jersey at an average full coverage rate of $267 per month.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $267 | $3,201 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $347 | $4,167 |
| 3. Travelers | $372 | $4,464 |
| 4. State Farm | $489 | $5,868 |
| 5. Palisades Insurance | $622 | $7,461 |
Read More: Cheap Car Insurance For 16-Year-Olds
For 17-year-olds, the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey comes from Geico at $231 per month or $2,777 per year for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $231 | $2,777 |
| NJM Insurance | $245 | $2,934 |
| Travelers | $394 | $4,733 |
| State Farm | $405 | $4,855 |
| Palisades Insurance | $464 | $5,572 |
Read more: Cheap Car Insurance For 17-Year-Olds
Our research shows that NJM offers the cheapest car insurance for 18-year-old drivers at an average rate of $214 per month for full coverage.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| NJM Insurance | $214 | $2,566 |
| Geico | $231 | $2,775 |
| Travelers | $339 | $4,070 |
| State Farm | $398 | $4,771 |
| Selective Insurance | $428 | $5,141 |
Read more: Cheap Auto Insurance For 18-Year-Olds
You can find the cheapest full-coverage auto insurance for 19-year-olds in N.J. with NJM insurance at an average rate of $190 per month.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NJM Insurance | $190 | $2,281 |
| 2. Geico | $203 | $2,434 |
| 3. Palisades Insurance | $260 | $3,118 |
| 4. Travelers | $296 | $3,553 |
| 5. State Farm | $306 | $3,676 |
Read more: Cheap Auto Insurance For 19-Year-Olds
According to our research, 21-year-old motorists can get the cheapest full coverage car insurance in New Jersey at $158 per month or $1,897 per year with Geico.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $158 | $1,897 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $167 | $2,003 |
| 3. Palisades Insurance | $205 | $2,465 |
| 4. Travelers | $228 | $2,732 |
| 5. Selective Insurance | $238 | $2,859 |
Read more: Cheap Auto Insurance For 21-Year-Olds
Geico offers the lowest full-coverage car insurance rates for 25-year-old motorists at an average of $145 per month or $1,734 per year with Geico.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $145 | $1,734 |
| 2. Travelers | $145 | $1,736 |
| 3. NJM Insurance | $166 | $1,994 |
| 4. Progressive | $190 | $2,279 |
| 5. Selective Insurance | $204 | $2,447 |
Read more: Cheap Auto Insurance For 25-Year-Olds
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For those aged 65 and up, Geico offers the most affordable car insurance rates in New Jersey. Below, we’ve broken down the five cheapest options for these ages.
Read More: Cheapest Auto Insurance For Seniors
At average rates of $1,175 per year for full coverage, Geico offers the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 65-year-olds.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $98 | $1,175 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $102 | $1,228 |
| 3. Palisades Insurance | $132 | $1,589 |
| 4. Selective Insurance | $134 | $1,606 |
| 5. Travelers | $147 | $1,769 |
Geico’s average rates are at $98 per month for full coverage, making it the cheapest auto insurance for 75-year-olds in New Jersey.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | $98 | $1,175 |
| 2. NJM Insurance | $121 | $1,447 |
| 3. Selective Insurance | $139 | $1,663 |
| 4. Progressive | $150 | $1,796 |
| 5. Palisades Insurance | $155 | $1,859 |
If you’re a New Jersey driver looking for cheap car insurance with violations on your driving record, accidents and bad credit, you can find the most affordable rates with NJM. Below, we’ve summarized the cheapest providers.
Read More: Best Vehicle Insurance For High-Risk Drivers
Geico offers the cheapest average car insurance rates for full coverage in New Jersey drivers with a speeding ticket at $123 per month or $1,472 per year.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $123 | $1,472 |
| NJM Insurance | $175 | $2,099 |
| Travelers | $187 | $2,242 |
| Progressive | $218 | $2,620 |
| Palisades Insurance | $254 | $3,053 |
Read More: Best Speeding Ticket Auto Insurance
NJM Insurance offers the cheapest coverage for drivers who’ve been in a recent accident in N.J, with estimates as low as $1,714 per year.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1. NJM Insurance | $143 | $1,714 |
| 2. Geico | $173 | $2,074 |
| 3. Selective | $204 | $2,445 |
| 4. Travelers | $242 | $2,905 |
| 5. Progressive | $267 | $3,198 |
Read More: What Is Accident Forgiveness?
NJM Insurance offers the cheapest coverage for drivers with a DUI in New Jersey, with estimated rates as low as $175 per month.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| NJM Insurance | $175 | $2,099 |
| Progressive | $197 | $2,369 |
| Travelers | $221 | $2,648 |
| Palisades Insurance | $244 | $2,924 |
| Geico | $250 | $2,999 |
Selective Insurance offers the lowest estimated rates for drivers with poor credit in New Jersey at $202 per month or $2,429 per year.
| Cheapest Car Insurance in New Jersey | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Selective | $202 | $2,429 |
| NJM Insurance | $236 | $2,829 |
| Geico | $288 | $3,453 |
| Progressive | $289 | $3,471 |
| Travelers | $323 | $3,870 |
Read More: Cheap Car Insurance For Bad Credit
The best cheap car insurance company in New Jersey is Geico. NJM, State Farm, Travelers and Selective Insurance also offer great coverage for affordable prices.
Below, we’ll go into detail about these car insurance companies in New Jersey and their coverage options:
According to rate estimate data from Quadrant Information Services, average auto premiums in New Jersey are slightly cheaper than the national average. However, just as they are in most states, prices for car coverage in The Garden State have been on the way up . This is due to a combination of some of the national trends that have led to country-wide cost increases and a few local factors specific to New Jersey. These include:
In all cases, we recommend comparing plenty of car insurance quotes to get the best and cheapest policy for your situation. However, before comparing quotes, you should do the following:
Below, we’ll provide information on each of these subjects to support your search.
You can find cheap car insurance quotes near you in New Jersey by entering your zip code in the tool below.
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According to our research, full coverage car insurance in New Jersey costs an average of $209 per month or $2,513 per year. That’s 25% higher than the national average of $2,008 per year. Minimum coverage insurance in New Jersey averages around $111 per month or $1,332 per year which is over 112% more expensive than the national yearly average of $627.
Below, you can compare average costs for full coverage car insurance in New Jersey for those aged 16-55:
| Age | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $882 | $10,578 |
| 25 | $236 | $2,827 |
| 35 | $209 | $2,513 |
| 45 | $203 | $2,441 |
| 55 | $189 | $2,269 |
Your rates for car insurance in New Jersey will depend on your situation and vehicle. Significant factors that may influence your rate in the state include:
The table below compares the car insurance discounts offered by the top companies in the Garden State, which we’ll discuss in further detail below:
| New Jersey Car Insurance Discounts | Geico | NJM | Travelers | State Farm | Selective Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-policy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Safe driver | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Student | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Defensive driving | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Driver training | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| New vehicle | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Car safety equipment | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Loyalty | |||||
| Military | ✔️ | ||||
| Paperless Billing | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Here’s more information on the standard types of discounts offered by the best car insurance companies:
Requirements for car insurance in New Jersey differ from most other states. You can choose from two options to satisfy the state’s minimum coverage required by law: the Standard Policy and the Basic Policy.
The Standard Policy provides a variety of coverage options and the opportunity to purchase additional protection. The Basic Policy provides minimal benefits for drivers and is best for those with few family responsibilities or assets.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of what the minimum New Jersey Standard and Basic Policies include:
| Coverage Type | Standard Policy | Basic Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability coverage | From $25,000 to $250,000 per person, and from $50,000 to $500,000 per accident | Not included, but $10,000 per person and accident is an option |
| Property damage liability coverage | From $25,000 to $100,000 per accident | $5,000 per accident |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | From $15,000 to $250,000 or more per person or accident, and up to $250,000 for certain injuries, regardless of chosen limit | $15,000 per person or accident |
| Uninsured motorist coverage/underinsured motorist coverage | Coverage is available up to the amounts the driver has chosen for liability coverage | None |
| Collision coverage | Available as an option | Available as an option |
| Comprehensive coverage | Available as an option | Available as an option |
The most commonly chosen type of car insurance in New Jersey is the Standard Policy. The state recommends that drivers choose this plan unless they have few assets and can’t afford more extensive coverage limits.
New Jersey drivers have to decide about their right to sue when choosing the Standard Policy. The Unlimited Right to Sue gives drivers the ability to sue the person who caused an auto accident for pain and suffering due to any injury. The Limited Right to Sue option means that you agree not to sue the person who caused an accident for pain and suffering unless you sustain one of the following:
Commercial auto insurance requirements are as follows in New Jersey:
If you’re a low-income driver and can’t afford a policy, New Jersey offers a program for minimum coverage for just $365 a year. This dollar-a-day program is called the Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) and those who are enrolled in Federal Medicaid with hospitalization are eligible.
Through our exploration of cheap auto insurance in New Jersey, we found that these are the companies with the lowest rates:
While our breakdown is useful for making a decision, we still urge you to compare quotes from multiple companies so that you can find the best car insurance deal.
*The annual premiums presented are based on averages between minimum and full coverage auto insurance quotes we received from Quadrant Information Services.
Below you can compare new jersey car insurance quotes by entering your zip code.
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Below are some frequently asked questions about the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey:
Geico has the cheapest car insurance overall in New Jersey with average rates of $1,052 per year between full and minimum coverage. It also offers the cheapest rates in the state for young drivers, seniors and those with speeding tickets.
At rates of $123 per month or $1,472 per year, Geico offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in N.J. It’s also our pick for the cheapest car insurance company in the state and has a variety of attainable discounts that can help you save further.
In most cases, NJM is not cheaper than Geico, and the company comes in second behind the national insurer. However, if you’re looking for car insurance with an accident history or DUI, you’ll find cheaper rates with NJM car insurance.
Our research shows that full-coverage car insurance in New Jersey costs around $209 each month for a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record and a good credit score. Your monthly payment will depend on your circumstances and the type of motor vehicle you drive.
Based on our research, car insurance in New Jersey costs 20% more than the national average. This is because New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S. and operates with no-fault laws.
New Jersey drivers who want full car insurance coverage must purchase a Standard Policy. This plan provides bodily injury liability insurance, property damage coverage and personal injury protection. The state’s Basic Policy only includes property damage liability and personal injury protection.
New Jersey is one of 12 states operating under no-fault insurance laws. This means that each driver involved in an accident must file a claim with their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault.
Operating a car in New Jersey without the minimum required insurance coverage under the state’s Basic Auto Insurance Policy is illegal. Your car can also be impounded by the state if you’re caught driving without insurance in New Jersey.
Below you can compare other companies with the cheapest rates in other states:
If you’re looking for other types of insurance coverage, you can use our articles below to help support your decision making:
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|---|---|---|---|
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Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Our credentials:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
