New Jersey car insurance: minimum coverage, rules & quotes

Minimum liability: $35,000 bodily injury liability per person, $70,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident. In effect since January 1, 2026.

Required coverages: BI & PD liability, PIP, Uninsured motorist, Underinsured motorist.

Choice no-fault. This is a choice no-fault jurisdiction: drivers can choose between no-fault coverage with limits on lawsuits and a traditional fault-based (tort) option, which usually costs more.

Credit-based insurance scores: Insurers here may generally use a credit-based insurance score as one rating factor, subject to state rules that limit how it can be used.

Standard-policy minimums rose to 35/70/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 (they were 15/30/5 before 2023 and 25/50/25 from 2023 to 2025).

New Jersey also offers an optional Basic Policy with much lower limits, and a Special Automobile Insurance Policy for certain drivers.

Official help: find the New Jersey insurance department (consumer help, agent license lookup) in the NAIC, State insurance departments directory ↗, and the New Jersey DMV in the USA.gov, State motor vehicle services (DMV) directory ↗.

Body-type mix: SUVs 50% · Cars & Sedans 21% · Trucks 19% · Vans 10%. Most-listed models: Chevrolet Silverado (155), Chevrolet Express (109), Jeep Grand (99), Hyundai ELANTRA (71), Hyundai TUCSON (60), Chevrolet Equinox (44).

Why it matters: a financed car at the $32,424 median price will normally need collision and comprehensive, and repair costs, theft rates and safety equipment differ by model — the VIN decode on the form shows the agent the exact vehicle.

• Burlington 501 cars
• Delran 430 cars
• Palmyra 363 cars
• Newark 156 cars
• Riverside 68 cars
• Jersey City 57 cars
• Oaklyn 36 cars

• Good / safe driver

  For drivers with no at-fault accidents or major violations for a set number of years (often three or more). California law requires insurers to offer qualifying good drivers a Good Driver Discount.

  Check this discount
• Multi-policy (bundling)

  Buying auto with homeowners, renters, condo or another policy from the same insurer.

  Check this discount
• Multi-car

  Insuring two or more vehicles on the same policy.

  Check this discount
• Good student

  For students with good grades, commonly a B average or better (insurers set their own rules).

  Check this discount
• Defensive-driving course

  Completing an approved course. Some states require insurers to offer a discount for approved courses, often for older drivers.

  Check this discount
• Telematics / usage-based

  An app or plug-in device that measures how, when and how much you drive. Safe habits can earn a discount; in some programs risky driving can raise the price.

  Check this discount
• Paid in full / autopay / paperless

  Paying the whole term up front, enrolling in automatic payments or going paperless.

  Check this discount
• Low mileage

  Driving fewer miles than average, for example working from home.

  Check this discount
• Safety & anti-theft features

  Airbags, anti-lock brakes, crash-avoidance technology, alarms and tracking devices. The VIN decode shows the factory safety equipment listed for your car.

  Check this discount
• Affinity / military / employer

  Membership in certain employers, alumni associations, professional groups or military service.

  Check this discount

• Bodily injury liability (BI)

  Pays for injuries you cause to other people — their medical bills, lost wages and legal claims — up to your per-person and per-accident limits. Required in almost every state.

• Property damage liability (PD)

  Pays for damage you cause to someone else's car or property. Required in nearly every state. A crash with a newer vehicle can exceed a low PD limit quickly.

• Collision

  Pays to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault, minus your deductible. Optional by law but required by lenders and lessors.

• Comprehensive

  Covers your car for theft, vandalism, fire, flood, hail, falling objects and animal strikes, minus your deductible. Also required on most financed and leased cars.

• Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

  Protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. Required in many states; where it is optional, insurers usually must offer it.

• Personal injury protection (PIP) / Medical payments

  PIP pays your and your passengers' medical costs (and in many states lost wages) regardless of fault; it is required in no-fault states. MedPay is a smaller, medical-only version.

• Gap insurance

  If your financed or leased car is totaled or stolen, gap pays the difference between the car's actual cash value and what you still owe. Often available from your auto insurer, lender or dealer.

• Rental reimbursement & roadside assistance

  Low-cost add-ons: a rental car while yours is being repaired after a covered claim, and towing, jump-starts, lockouts and flat-tire help.

What is the minimum car insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires at least $35,000 bodily injury liability per person, $70,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident, plus PIP, Uninsured motorist and Underinsured motorist — written 35/70/25. These limits have applied since January 1, 2026.

Is New Jersey a no-fault state?

New Jersey is a choice no-fault jurisdiction: drivers can choose no-fault coverage with lawsuit limits or a traditional fault-based option.

Can car insurers use my credit score in New Jersey?

Insurers here may generally use a credit-based insurance score as one rating factor, subject to state rules that limit how it can be used.

Is the New Jersey minimum enough coverage?

It is the legal minimum, not a recommendation. Medical bills and newer-car repairs can exceed 35/70/25 limits, and you can be personally responsible for the difference. Many drivers choose higher limits, and financed or leased cars also need collision and comprehensive.

Do I need insurance before buying a car in New Jersey?

You need proof of insurance to register and drive the car, and dealers usually ask for it before delivery. If you finance or lease, the lender will require collision and comprehensive. Request a quote on the exact VIN before you sign.

How do I get a car insurance quote in New Jersey?

Use the AutosXchange quote form on this page: enter your VIN (we decode the vehicle), ZIP and a few details, and a licensed insurance professional will follow up. Or call or text (916) 476-7689.

How do I get a good driver discount in New Jersey?

Most insurers offer a good- or safe-driver discount after several years without at-fault accidents or major violations. Eligibility and amounts vary by insurer; tick it on the form and the agent will check.

• Alabama 25/50/25
• Alaska 50/100/25
• Arizona 25/50/15
• Arkansas 25/50/25
• California 30/60/15
• Colorado 25/50/15
• Connecticut 25/50/25
• Delaware 25/50/10
• District of Columbia 25/50/10
• Florida PD 10 + PIP
• Georgia 25/50/25
• Hawaii 40/80/20
• Idaho 25/50/15
• Illinois 25/50/20
• Indiana 25/50/25
• Iowa 20/40/15
• Kansas 25/50/25
• Kentucky 25/50/25
• Louisiana 15/30/25
• Maine 50/100/25
• Maryland 30/60/15
• Massachusetts 25/50/30
• Michigan 50/100/10
• Minnesota 30/60/10
• Mississippi 25/50/25
• Missouri 25/50/25
• Montana 25/50/20
• Nebraska 25/50/25
• Nevada 25/50/20
• New Hampshire 25/50/25
• New Mexico 25/50/10
• New York 25/50/10
• North Carolina 50/100/50
• North Dakota 25/50/25
• Ohio 25/50/25
• Oklahoma 25/50/25
• Oregon 25/50/20
• Pennsylvania 15/30/5
• Rhode Island 25/50/25
• South Carolina 25/50/25
• South Dakota 25/50/25
• Tennessee 25/50/25
• Texas 30/60/25
• Utah 30/65/25
• Vermont 25/50/10
• Virginia 50/100/25
• Washington 25/50/10
• West Virginia 25/50/25
• Wisconsin 25/50/10
• Wyoming 25/50/20