Best cheap car insurance in NJ
Best and cheapest car insurance in New Jersey
- Cheapest full coverage: Geico, $141/mo
- Cheapest minimum liability: Geico, $66/mo
- Cheapest for young drivers: Geico, $96/mo
- Cheapest after a ticket: Plymouth Rock, $178/mo
- Cheapest after an accident: NJM, $183/mo
- Cheapest for teens after a ticket: Geico, $127/mo
- Cheapest after a DUI: Geico, $199/mo
- Cheapest for poor credit: NJM, $288/mo
Monthly rates based on full coverage car insurance for a 30-year-old man. Some rates use different ages or coverage limits.
Geico offers the cheapest rates in New Jersey, but NJM is the best company for people who value great service. NJM has very few customer complaints, and its rates are typically cheaper than average.
Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey: Geico
Geico and NJM have the cheapest full coverage insurance in New Jersey.
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in New Jersey
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.
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
| Data-powered research on NJ 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.
Drivers can also get cheap car insurance in New Jersey from Plymouth Rock and NJM. Both companies have cheaper-than-average rates in New Jersey.
Cheapest car insurance quotes in NJ for liability only
Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Geico | $66 |
| Plymouth Rock | $85 |
| NJM | $92 |
| Progressive | $142 |
| Allstate | $160 |
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes 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 |
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.
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 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 |
New Jersey drivers with a speeding ticket pay about 29% more for insurance than those with clean records. That's an average increase of $72 per month for a full coverage policy.
Cheap NJ auto insurance after an accident: NJM
NJM has the cheapest rates for New Jersey drivers with an accident on their records. 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.
Cheap insurance in NJ for teens with a ticket or accident: Geico
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
Best car insurance in NJ
NJM is the best car insurance company in New Jersey.
NJM has very few customer complaints for a company its size. It also has affordable rates, and its basic policy comes with protection that most other companies charge extra for.
Top auto insurance in NJ
Company |
Editor's rating
|
J.D. Power
|
AM Best
|
|---|---|---|---|
| NJM | 721 | A+ | |
| State Farm | 650 | A++ | |
| Farmers | 622 | A | |
| Travelers | 613 | A++ | |
| Geico | 645 | A++ |
State Farm is also highly rated in New Jersey, and it offers online tools that are easy to use. However, State Farm tends to be much more expensive than NJM.
Average 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.
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.
NJ car insurance quotes by city
City | Monthly rate | % from average |
|---|---|---|
| Absecon | $268 | 7% |
| Adelphia | $246 | -1% |
| Allendale | $235 | -6% |
| Allenhurst | $237 | -5% |
| Allentown | $224 | -10% |
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.
Cheap car insurance in NJ by driver type
Geico is the cheapest car insurance company for most drivers in New Jersey.
Driver type | Cheapest company |
Monthly cost
|
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest minimum coverage | Geico | $66 (52% savings) |
| Cheapest for teens | Geico | $96 (79% savings) |
| Cheapest for a safe driver | Geico | $141 (44% savings) |
| Cheapest after a ticket | Plymouth Rock | $178 (45% savings) |
| Cheapest after an accident | NJM | $183 (58% savings) |
| Cheapest after a DUI | Geico | $199 (56% savings) |
| Cheapest for poor credit | NJM | $288 (47% savings) |
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.
What's the best car insurance coverage in NJ?
Most New Jersey drivers should get a full coverage policy.
Full coverage policies include comprehensive and collision insurance. These are coverages that pay for damage to your car, even if you cause the accident. Comprehensive and collision insurance are typically required if you have a car loan or lease.
Minimum coverage auto insurance meets the car insurance requirements in New Jersey. That includes $35,000 in bodily injury liability per person, as well as $70,000 per accident, $25,000 in property damage coverage and $15,000 of PIP.
However, minimum coverage might not provide enough protection after a serious accident. For example, if you crash into a new luxury car, $25,000 may not be enough to pay for the expensive repairs.
Full coverage insurance can have higher liability limits, which can help you avoid a large, unexpected bill.
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?
Car insurance is expensive in New Jersey partly because it's a no-fault state. That means drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which can be pricey. Much of New Jersey is also densely populated, which typically leads to more accidents and car thefts.
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.
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.
