Auto Insurance · New Jersey
Car Insurance in New Jersey: 2026 Rates & Requirements
Khari Lewis
Updated July 9, 2026
Full coverage
$3,100/yr
Full coverage
$258/mo
State minimum
$1,640/yr
Min. liability
35/70/25
Drivers in New Jersey pay an average of $3,100 per year ($258/month) for full-coverage car insurance in 2026 — about 30% above the national average of $2,392. That makes New Jersey the #46 cheapest of the 51 U.S. jurisdictions we track. A state-minimum policy averages $1,640 per year, versus a $895 national average.
Averages hide a wide spread: your own quote depends on your ZIP code, driving record, age, and vehicle — and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive carrier for the same New Jersey driver is routinely over $1,000 a year. The only way to know where you land is to check your own rate.
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Minimum car insurance requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey requires drivers to carry at least 35/70/25 liability coverage, plus PIP, UM/UIM. Here's what those numbers mean:
| Coverage | Required minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury (per person) | $35,000 | Injuries you cause to one person in an accident |
| Bodily injury (per accident) | $70,000 | Total injuries you cause in one accident |
| Property damage | $25,000 | Damage you cause to vehicles and property |
| Also required | PIP, UM/UIM | Additional coverage New Jersey mandates on every policy |
Note: No-fault state; limits rose from 25/50/25 effective January 1, 2026 (phase two of the 2022 reform). $15k PIP required.
Keep in mind that state minimums are the legal floor, not a recommendation — a serious accident can exceed $70,000 in injuries quickly, leaving you personally liable for the rest. Most New Jersey drivers are better served comparing the cost of higher limits, which is often smaller than expected.
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How New Jersey drivers pay less
- Compare at every renewal. Carrier pricing in New Jersey shifts constantly; the insurer that was cheapest for you two years ago frequently isn't today.
- Bundle home or renters insurance — multi-policy discounts commonly run 10–25%.
- Raise your deductible if you have savings to cover it; going from $500 to $1,000 typically cuts the collision/comprehensive portion 10–20%.
- Ask about usage-based programs if you drive less than ~10,000 miles a year — low-mileage pricing is one of the fastest-growing discounts in 2026.
- Special situations have their own playbook: see our guides for teen drivers, coverage after a DUI, and getting insured after a lapse.
Guides for specific situations
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Car insurance costs in other states
Rate data: 2026 state averages compiled from published figures at NerdWallet, Insurify, and ValuePenguin (July 2026); requirements from state statutes as of July 2026. Averages are for comparison only — your rate will differ based on your profile.