Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey (2026)
Geico is the cheapest car insurance company in NJ, at $141 per month for full coverage.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
Best cheap car insurance in NJ
Geico and NJM are some of the cheapest companies in New Jersey.
- Want full coverage? Geico: $141/mo
- Only need minimum coverage? Geico: $66/mo
- Want the best service? NJM: $168/mo
- Get a ticket? Plymouth Rock: $178/mo
- Caused an accident? NJM: $183/mo
- Need coverage for a teen? Geico: $96/mo
- Got a DUI? Geico: $199/mo
- Have poor credit? NJM: $288/mo
Monthly rates are based on full coverage car insurance for a 30-year-old man. Some rates use different ages or coverage limits.
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in NJ: Geico
Geico and NJM have the cheapest full coverage insurance in New Jersey.
- Geico is the cheapest company for most people, at $141 per month. That's a savings of around 44% compared to the state average.
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NJM offers the best combination of great customer service and affordable rates, at an average of $168 per month.
NJM is a good option if you want extra coverage because it automatically includes add-ons such as rental car reimbursement, which other companies usually charge for.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
Cheapest full coverage car insurance in NJ
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $141 |
| NJM | $168 |
| Plymouth Rock | $178 |
| Progressive | $233 |
| Travelers | $259 |
Data-powered research on New Jersey car insurance
Cheapest liability insurance in NJ: Geico
Geico has the cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in New Jersey. At $66 per month, a minimum coverage Standard policy from Geico is less than half the New Jersey state average of $137 per month.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in NJ for liability-only
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $66 |
| Plymouth Rock | $85 |
| NJM | $92 |
| Progressive | $142 |
| Allstate | $160 |
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 not good.
Basic policies don't automatically come with bodily injury coverage, which pays for injuries that you cause. If you don't have coverage, you're on the hook for any injuries that you cause in an accident.
Medical care for 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 more protection.
Auto insurance rates in New Jersey by city
- Geico has the cheapest full coverage insurance in nearly all cities and towns across New Jersey, including Newark and Jersey City. Erie has the cheapest rates in the remaining 2% of New Jersey cities.
- 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.
Find Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
Cheapest NJ car insurance quotes by city
City | Avg. rate | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | $376 | Geico | $199 |
| Jersey City | $326 | Geico | $156 |
| Paterson | $363 | Geico | $187 |
| Elizabeth | $362 | Geico | $178 |
| Trenton | $275 | Geico | $157 |
| Clifton | $321 | Geico | $167 |
| Camden | $334 | Geico | $157 |
| Bayonne | $311 | Geico | $155 |
| East Orange | $363 | Geico | $186 |
| Passaic | $364 | Geico | $179 |
| Vineland | $260 | Geico | $134 |
| Hoboken | $323 | Geico | $156 |
| New Brunswick | $274 | Geico | $149 |
| Perth Amboy | $326 | Geico | $159 |
| Plainfield | $320 | Geico | $162 |
| Hackensack | $320 | Geico | $164 |
| Linden | $325 | Geico | $176 |
| Long Branch | $233 | Geico | $134 |
| Garfield | $323 | Geico | $167 |
| Rahway | $309 | Geico | $176 |
| Englewood | $326 | Geico | $178 |
| Millville | $252 | Geico | $133 |
| Bridgeton | $252 | Geico | $133 |
| Summit | $234 | Geico | $130 |
| Pleasantville | $269 | Geico | $144 |
| Absecon | $268 | Geico | $144 |
| Adelphia | $246 | Geico | $145 |
| Allendale | $235 | Geico | $151 |
| Allenhurst | $237 | Geico | $134 |
| Allentown | $224 | Geico | $137 |
| Allenwood | $213 | Geico | $127 |
| Alpha | $228 | Geico | $130 |
| Alpine | $270 | Geico | $151 |
| Andover | $229 | Geico | $130 |
| Annandale | $225 | Geico | $130 |
| Asbury | $226 | Geico | $130 |
| Asbury Park | $237 | Geico | $134 |
| Ashland | $240 | Geico | $138 |
| Atco | $264 | Geico | $141 |
| Atlantic City | $330 | Geico | $176 |
| Atlantic Highlands | $226 | Geico | $134 |
| Audubon | $223 | Geico | $133 |
| Audubon Park | $223 | Geico | $133 |
| Augusta | $229 | Geico | $130 |
| Avalon | $218 | Geico | $125 |
| Avenel | $266 | Geico | $150 |
| Avon-by-the-Sea | $215 | Geico | $127 |
| Baptistown | $226 | Geico | $130 |
| Barclay | $240 | Geico | $138 |
| Barnegat | $215 | Geico | $126 |
| Barnegat Light | $215 | Geico | $126 |
| Barrington | $231 | Geico | $126 |
Best car insurance in New Jersey: NJM
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Full coverage rate$168/moThis analysis used auto insurance quotes for a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage.
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Claims processExcellentClaims rating is based on J.D. Power's claims satisfaction survey.
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AM Best ratingA+An A+ financial strength rating means that a company has a superior ability to pay customer claims, even in difficult financial situations. This is the second-highest rating available.
ValuePenguin Senior Writer, Lindsay Bishop, chose the best car insurance companies in New Jersey based on:
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
- J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint data
- Each company's average car insurance rates in New Jersey
- Coverage availability and optional add-ons
- The author's 7+ years of insurance industry experience
ValuePenguin's reviews follow strict, independent editorial standards and are never influenced by commissions or partnerships.
Cheap auto insurance in NJ after a speeding ticket: Plymouth Rock
- Plymouth Rock has the cheapest car insurance quotes in New Jersey for drivers with one speeding ticket. After a ticket, a full coverage policy from Plymouth Rock costs $178 per month.
- Geico also has affordable rates after a speeding ticket, at $181 per month. Geico has better customer service reviews than Plymouth Rock, so it may be a better choice for some people.
Best auto insurance in NJ after a ticket
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Plymouth Rock | $178 |
| Geico | $181 |
| NJM | $223 |
| Selective | $288 |
| State Farm | $292 |
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.
- Don't shop right away: Don't rush to buy a new policy right away after a driving incident. Your rates typically won't go up until your current policy renews.
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Compare multiple quotes: It's even more important to shop around for three or more quotes after a ticket or accident to make sure you're getting the best deal.
There's a difference of more than $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 $400 per month extra just for choosing the wrong insurance company.
Cheap NJ auto insurance after an accident: NJM
NJM has the cheapest rates for New Jersey drivers with an accident on their record. Full coverage from NJM costs around $183 per month after a crash. That's less than half the statewide average of $433 per month.
Cheapest car insurance in NJ after a crash
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| NJM | $183 |
| Geico | $195 |
| Plymouth Rock | $253 |
| Progressive | $392 |
| Travelers | $439 |
Full coverage car insurance rates go up by an average of 73%, or $183 per month, after your first accident in New Jersey.
Cheapest NJ auto insurance for young drivers: Geico
Geico has the cheapest car insurance quotes for 18-year-old drivers in New Jersey.
- A minimum liability policy from Geico costs around $96 per month. That's less than one-quarter of the average rate in New Jersey.
- Geico also offers the cheapest full coverage for 18-year-old drivers. At $191 per month, Geico's policy is also less than one-quarter of the state average.
Best NJ car insurance companies for teens
Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $96 | $191 |
| NJM | $222 | $365 |
| Travelers | $351 | $586 |
| Allstate | $413 | $1,024 |
| Farmers | $485 | $1,036 |
Share a family plan: 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.
Cheap insurance in NJ for teens with a ticket or accident: Geico
- Speeding ticket: Geico offers the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in New Jersey with a speeding ticket. A minimum liability policy from Geico costs $127 per month after a ticket, which is one-quarter of the average price teens pay after a ticket in New Jersey.
- Accident: Geico also has the most affordable coverage for young drivers who have caused an accident, at $120 per month for a minimum liability policy. That's less than one-quarter of the NJ state average.
Best quotes in NJ for teens after a ticket or accident
Company | Ticket | Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $127 | $120 |
| NJM | $278 | $222 |
| Travelers | $443 | $596 |
| Selective | $516 | $851 |
| State Farm | $586 | $982 |
- Get a discount for good grades: Most insurance companies offer a good student discount for having a 3.0 or B GPA or higher.
- Combine low rates and discounts: The cheapest company in NJ for teens with a bad driving record, Geico, offers a discount of up to 15% for good grades.
Affordable car insurance in NJ after a DUI: Geico
- Geico has the cheapest car insurance quotes in New Jersey for drivers with a DUI. Full coverage insurance from Geico costs $199 per month after a recent DUI, which is less than half the average DUI rate.
- Plymouth Rock, NJM and Progressive all also offer below-average rates, so it's worth comparing quotes from these companies, as well.
Cheapest New Jersey car insurance rates after a DUI
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $199 |
| Plymouth Rock | $216 |
| NJM | $223 |
| Progressive | $285 |
| Travelers | $401 |
Low-cost car insurance in NJ for drivers with poor credit: NJM
NJM has the cheapest car insurance quotes for New Jersey drivers with poor credit scores. At $288 per month, full coverage car insurance from NJM is around half the average for drivers with bad credit. It's also $103 per month less than the second-cheapest company, Progressive.
Cheap auto insurance in New Jersey for poor credit
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| NJM | $288 |
| Progressive | $391 |
| Geico | $407 |
| Plymouth Rock | $424 |
| Farmers | $460 |
Is your car insurance company raising rates in New Jersey in 2026?
A handful of major car insurance companies have raised rates in New Jersey in 2026, while some have actually lowered rates across the state.
- ↑ Biggest increase: American Family at +6.5%
- ↓ Biggest decrease: Geico at -3.2%
Company | 2026 rate change | 5 year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | ↓ 3.2% | ↑ 42.9% |
| Palisades | ↓ 2.4% | ↑ 46.3% |
| State Farm | ↓ 0.8% | ↑ 77.3% |
| NJM | 0.0% | ↑ 55.5% |
| USAA | 0.0% | ↑ 27.2% |
| Progressive | 0.0% | ↑ 44.5% |
| Travelers | 0.0% | ↑ 34.4% |
| Liberty Mutual | ↑ 1.2% | ↑ 51.6% |
| Allstate | ↑ 3.1% | ↑ 65.4% |
| Farmers | ↑ 4.8% | ↑ 39.8% |
| American Family | ↑ 6.5% | ↑ 23.7% |
A downward arrow (↓) indicates a rate decrease, while an upward arrow (↑) indicates a rate increase.
What to do if your rates went up in New Jersey
If your auto insurance company is raising rates in New Jersey, there are a few things you can do to find cheaper car insurance.
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Shop around for quotes from the cheapest companies in New Jersey, including Geico, NJM and Plymouth Rock.
There's a difference of $206 per month between the most and least expensive companies for full coverage insurance in New Jersey. That could mean a savings of nearly $2,500 per year.
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Look for a company with lots of discounts you qualify for. You can usually save the most money by bundling your home insurance or insuring multiple vehicles.
But some companies also offer less-common discounts. For instance, NJM offers a discount if you drive a car that's less than 2 years old. And Geico has a discount for owning your home, even if it's insured by a different company.
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Sign up for a safe driving program. These programs track your driving habits using a mobile app or device that you plug into your car. If you avoid risky driving habits, like driving late at night or speeding, you could earn a big discount.
For example, drivers typically save between 5% and 15% on their car insurance bill with Geico's DriveEasy program. But your rates could also go up if you have bad driving habits.
New Jersey auto insurance coverage requirements
New Jersey drivers need to have a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally.
As of Jan. 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're found driving a car without proper insurance in New Jersey, you could face steep fines, the loss of your license for a year, a mandatory jail term and community service.
Potential fines and penalties for driving without insurance in New JerseyFirst offense:
- Fine: $300 to $1,000 along with community service
- Driving privileges: Driver's license suspension for up to one year, with $100 restoration fee
Second and subsequent offenses:
- Fine: Up to $5,000 plus 30 days of community service
- Imprisonment: Up to 14 days in jail
- Driving privileges: Driver's license suspension for up to two years, with $100 restoration fee
New Jersey drivers have the option of choosing between different types of policies: Basic and Standard. New Jersey also offers a form of residual auto insurance known as the Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP). Known as a "dollar a day" policy, it costs $365 a year, on average.
Standard policy
Basic policy
Special Automobile Insurance Policy
New Jersey's Standard policy auto coverage is similar to a minimum policy in most other states. The state establishes minimums with respect to bodily injury, property damage and PIP. Unlike other states, New Jersey allows drivers to lower their rates on a standard auto insurance policy by limiting their right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident.
Standard policy coverage limits and options:
- Bodily injury liability: A minimum of $35,000 per person, with $70,000 total per accident. The maximum limits for bodily injury liability on a Standard policy are $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.
- Property damage liability: A minimum of $25,000 per accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): A minimum of $15,000 per person, per accident. The maximum limit for personal injury is $250,000. However, no matter the limit you choose, you also get up to $250,000 of coverage in claims for certain severe injuries. These include permanent and significant brain injury, spinal cord damage, disfigurement or medical treatment necessary for other permanent injuries.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: Not automatically included, but available as an extra option.
- Collision and comprehensive coverages: Available as an extra option from all companies under a Standard policy.
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 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. Minimum coverage from NJM costs $92 per month.
Is NJ car insurance 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.
Auto insurance rate change data was compiled using RateWatch from S&P Global, which uses information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
To calculate rate changes by company, ValuePenguin used publicly available rate filing data from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Rate filing data was sourced using RateWatch from S&P Global, which uses information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
The table includes rate filings submitted by major insurance companies and their subsidiaries with effective dates between 2022 and 2026. Because insurance companies often break customers into different rating groups, a filing may apply only to certain drivers, vehicles, coverage levels, regions or policy types. Not every increase or decrease applies to every policyholder insured by that company in the state.
Data limitations
Insurance companies may submit multiple filings throughout the year. Some filings may be revised, withdrawn or superseded after publication.
Rate filing information was current as of July 28, 2026.
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.
