Average Car Insurance Cost in New Jersey (2024)

In New Jersey, drivers spend an average of $215 per month and $2,577 annually on full-coverage car insurance and $124 per month and $1,491 per year on liability-only coverage. By comparison, the national monthly average for full coverage is $204 and $104 for liability.

With a population of more than 9.2 million, New Jersey packs a population density of 1,263 people per square mile in its 8,729 square miles of space. With numerous municipalities serving as bedroom communities for the big cities of New York and Philadelphia, New Jersey drivers also have a long mean commute time of more than 31 minutes. The state's coastal areas are also prone to wind, storm, and flood damage.

All these factors contribute to the high average cost of car insurance in the Garden State. New Jersey drivers should compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best price for the coverage they need.

How much is car insurance in New Jersey?

The cost of auto insurance in the Garden State will depend on whether you opt for liability-only or full-coverage insurance. A liability-only policy will run you $124 per month on average, while a full-coverage policy will cost around $215 per month. Because a full-coverage policy provides more financial protection, it’s typical for it to cost more than less-robust policies.

Personal factors like your age, driving history, marital status, and credit can also affect your car insurance costs. For example, in New Jersey, teen drivers pay a monthly average of $362 for full coverage, while seniors average costs are $190 per month.

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Average New Jersey car insurance rates by city

The city you live in will help determine what you pay for car insurance premiums in New Jersey because rates differ in each city.^[1] For example, if you live in a highly populated area, like Newark or Jersey City, you can expect higher rates than someone living in a more rural town, like Cranbury or Hopewell. More people and drivers in one area typically increases the risk of car accidents. Insurers may also consider other location-based factors such as the likelihood of crime, local road infrastructure, and risk of certain weather events, like flooding.

The following table illustrates how the average cost of full-coverage and liability-only auto insurance can vary in some of New Jersey’s most populated cities. For example, full-coverage car insurance in Paterson, which has a population of nearly 158,000, costs 39% more than in Trenton, where about 90,400 New Jerseyans live.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by insurance company

Many car insurance providers serve drivers in New Jersey. As you do your research and shop around for quotes, you’ll find that their rates vary. You may even see significant differences between them, based on how each company calculates premiums.

For example, GEICO’s average monthly quotes of $171 for full coverage and $110 for liability are far less expensive than Amica’s average monthly quotes of $undefined for full coverage and $undefined for liability-only coverage. By comparing providers, you can find the best rate for your particular budget and coverage needs. See how auto insurers in New Jersey compare below.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by age

Younger drivers have less experience behind the wheel, so their car insurance rates tend to exceed the rates of older drivers.^[2] As younger drivers gain experience, their car insurance costs will go down if they maintain clean driving records. In New Jersey, a teen driver can expect an average monthly quote of $362 for full coverage, while a driver in their 40s may pay $210 per month.

See how average monthly quotes vary by age below.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by gender

Your gender might also affect what you pay for a car insurance policy in New Jersey. Data shows that women tend to get into fewer serious accidents than men. For example, 28,033 men died in motor vehicle accidents in 2020, compared to 10,690 women.^[3]

It’s not uncommon for women to spend a tad less on their auto premiums each year than men. As you can see from the table below, a full-coverage policy in New Jersey tends to be a bit cheaper for women than men, but women end up paying a bit more for liability-only coverage.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by marital status

In New Jersey, single drivers pay a monthly average of $321 for full coverage and $261 for liability-only coverage. Married drivers enjoy lower rates of $273 per month for full coverage and $183 per month for liability-only insurance.

When married drivers combine their vehicles under a single auto policy, insurance companies account for the driving records, ages, credit scores, and vehicles of both partners. If both drivers have clean records and solid credit, they might earn lower average rates. But if both drivers have a track record of serious traffic violations and bad credit, their premiums will likely be higher.

The following table shows average monthly quotes for liability-only coverage from some top New Jersey insurance companies based on driver marital status.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by driving record

Your driving record is one of the most important factors that car insurance providers consider when determining your auto rates in New Jersey. As shown in the table below, a New Jersey driver with a clean record will pay an average of $215 per month for full-coverage insurance and $124 per month for a liability-only policy.

The quotes significantly increase for drivers with a driving under the influence (DUI) charge on their record, to an average of $342 per month for full coverage and $197 per month for liability coverage. At-fault accidents and speeding tickets also lead to higher auto insurance costs in New Jersey.

The table below illustrates how certain traffic infractions can push car insurance premiums higher, even for the cheapest liability insurance.

Average New Jersey car insurance rates by credit score

In some states, good credit can lead to lower auto insurance rates because studies show that people with strong credit usually file fewer claims.^[4] However, New Jersey is one of the states that ban car insurance providers from using a driver’s credit score, occupation, or education to determine premiums.^[5]

Still, the table below simply shows how a person’s credit history correlates to auto rates for policyholders in the state.

New Jersey minimum car insurance requirements

New Jersey requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance, including:

• 

  Bodily injury

  This type of liability coverage helps cover the medical expenses of others if you cause an accident. New Jersey states that you must have at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and at least $50,000 per accident.

• 

  Property damage

  This coverage pays to repair any damage to someone else’s vehicle or property after an accident you caused. New Jersey requires $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.

• 

  Personal injury protection (PIP)

  Also referred to as no-fault insurance, personal injury protection helps cover your expenses — such as medical bills, lost wages, and funeral costs — after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. In New Jersey, you must invest in $15,000 of PIP per person.

• 

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury

  This type of coverage can pay for your medical bills and property damage if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits your vehicle. New Jersey requires uninsured and underinsured coverage equal to the minimum bodily injury liability coverage.^[6]

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