Last updated: March 20, 2026Best Auto Insurance in New Jersey of 2026
NJM, GEICO, Progressive, USAA, and Plymouth Rock are our top picks for car insurance in New Jersey.
Best Value
Editor's Rating:
4.5/5
4.5/5Full Coverage Averages in NJ
- Annual premium: $1,980
- Monthly premium: $165
Cheapest Major Provider
Editor's Rating:4.2/5
4.2/5Full Coverage Averages in NJ
- Annual premium: $1,950
- Monthly premium: $163
Best for Small-Business Owners
Editor's Rating:4.7/5
4.7/5Full Coverage Averages in NJ
- Annual premium: $2,351
- Monthly premium: $196
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM) is our pick for New Jersey drivers who want the best combination of price and service on their auto insurance. GEICO, Progressive, Plymouth Rock and USAA are also solid options, depending on your situation.
- Car insurance in New Jersey costs more than the national average. Full coverage averages $2,781 annually, and minimum coverage averages $1,431 annually.
- Our pricing data shows average rates, which are useful when you’re comparing companies. Your rates for auto insurance will vary depending on individual factors, like your coverage, liability limits, vehicle, age and driving history.
Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in New Jersey
- Best Value: New Jersey Manufacturer (NJM)
- Cheapest Major Provider: GEICO
- Best for Small-Business Owners: Progressive
- Best for Military/Veterans: USAA
- Best for Coverage Add-Ons: Plymouth Rock
| Company | Full coverage monthly average in New Jersey | Minimum coverage monthly average in New Jersey | Mid-Atlantic customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJM | $165 | $83 | Above average |
| GEICO | $163 | $66 | Below average |
| Progressive | $196 | $102 | Below average |
| USAA | Not available | Not available | Above average |
| Plymouth Rock | $199 | $91 | Below average |
| New Jersey | $232 | $112 | – |
COMPARE:
Learn more about how GEICO and Progressive compare.
Breaking Down the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in New Jersey
1. Best Value - New Jersey Manufacturer (NJM)
What We Like Most:
- Outstanding claims handling and customer satisfaction ratings
- Low incidence of customer complaints
- Cheapest rates after an accident
Why we chose it
NJM offers an ideal balance of low price and solid service, with outstanding marks for customer and claims satisfaction. It ranked first for customer satisfaction in the Mid-Atlantic region in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, with a score of 721 out of 1,000 — well above the regional average of 656. NJM also ranked second in the nation in J.D. Power’s 2025 Auto Claims Satisfaction study, with a score of 731 out of 1,000. In addition, NJM’s score on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index indicates a low incidence of customer complaints.
NJM’s full and minimum coverage rates were the second lowest in our study, at 29 percent and 31 percent lower than the state averages, respectively. These low rates, coupled with outstanding customer service, make NJM a great value. NJM also has the lowest average rates for drivers who have been in an accident: $2,057, versus the statewide average of $4,069.
Who it’s best for
NJM is an excellent option for budget-minded New Jersey drivers who prioritize customer service and the claims experience, as well as for New Jersey drivers who have an accident on their record.
NJM New Jersey Pricing
| NJM | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $165 | $83 |
| Annually | $1,980 | $991 |
| Difference from New Jersey average | -29% | -31% |
2. Cheapest Major Provider - GEICO
What We Like Most:
- Cheapest rates in New Jersey
- Long list of discounts
- Most popular provider in the state
Why we chose it
GEICO’s average rates in New Jersey are the lowest in our analysis. In addition to having cheap rates overall, GEICO has the lowest average rates we found both for auto insurance for teens and for drivers with low credit or a speeding ticket in New Jersey.
GEICO has a long list of discounts, including significant savings for drivers with multiple vehicles, new vehicles, electric vehicles, anti-theft systems or airbags. It also offers military discounts (including 25 percent savings for emergency military deployment) and a variety of professional discounts.
CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS:
You may be surprised by the discounts auto insurers offer. Find out what discounts you may be missing, and save money on your next policy.
Who it’s best for
GEICO is a good option for New Jersey drivers who want the lowest rates. Teen drivers, members of the military, and drivers with speeding tickets or low credit scores may find especially favorable rates.
GEICO New Jersey Pricing
| GEICO | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $163 | $66 |
| Annually | $1,950 | $791 |
| Difference from New Jersey average | -30% | -45% |
3. Best for Small-Business Owners - Progressive
What We Like Most:
- Low rates for businesses
- Fleet management via Snapshot ProView
- Commercial policies that cover business and personal use
Why we chose it
Progressive is known for its low rates on personal auto insurance policies, but we’re highlighting it here because of its low rates and range of coverage options for business owners, truck and fleet operators, and independent contractors who drive for business.
Progressive’s commercial auto insurance provides coverage for a variety of businesses and business vehicles, including trucking companies and for-hire carriers, limousine companies, food truck operators, and building contractors. Its telematics program for businesses, Snapshot ProView, can help fleet owners and trucking companies track business driving. Small-business owners and independent contractors who drive their personal vehicles for work can choose commercial policies that cover both business and personal use.
FYI:
Your personal auto insurance policy generally doesn’t cover business driving. If you drive your personal vehicle for business, you may need commercial auto insurance. Learn more in our guide to the best commercial auto insurance.
Who it’s best for
Progressive is best for small-business owners, truck drivers, contractors, freelancers, gig workers, fleet operators, or anyone who needs insurance to drive for business.
Progressive New Jersey Pricing
| Progressive | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $196 | $102 |
| Annually | $2,351 | $1,222 |
| Difference from New Jersey average | -15% | -15% |
4. Best for Military/Veterans - USAA
What We Like Most:
- Membership passes on to spouses and children
- Military-specific coverages and discounts
- Competitive auto loans
Why we chose it
USAA is one of our top picks for car insurance nationally, including in New Jersey. While data on average NJ rates isn’t available, USAA premiums fall well below the national average.
The company scores highly on J.D. Power studies, and holds a score of 743 out of 1,000 in the Mid-Atlantic—87 points above the regional average. The company offers numerous discounts including a couple that are military-specific, like a 15 percent discount when you garage your car on base and a significant discount if your car is in storage during a deployment.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey is one of the largest military installations in the country, with more than 42,000 active-duty service members, civilians, and family members.1
Who it’s best for
Military members, honorably discharged veterans, and their families—including spouses, children, and grandchildren of USAA members.
5. Best for Coverage Add-Ons - Plymouth Rock
What We Like Most:
- Extensive list of additional coverage types
- Special coverage packages
- Headquartered in NJ
Why we chose it
Plymouth Rock has lower-than-average rates for New Jersey drivers, but it also stands out for its extensive list of coverage add-ons, including coverage packages that offer special pricing on a combination of popular options. For example, its Assurance Plus package includes pet coverage, child car seat replacement, laptop and mobile device replacement, a glass deductible waiver, and personal property damage coverage, among other add-ons.
The company scored below-average on J.D. Power studies, but made the Honor Roll on CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card, indicating that collision shop find the company to have fair claims practices.
Plymouth Rock’s mobile app gets high marks from users in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store, so the company is a great choice for people who like managing their policies via an app. In addition, Plymouth Rock maintains a network of local agents, so policyholders have access to personalized service when they need it. Owners of multiple vehicles may appreciate Plymouth Rock’s range, including coverage for boats and watercraft, collector and classic cars, motorcycles and motorhomes.
Who it’s best for
New Jersey drivers who have specific insurance needs or preferences should consider Plymouth Rock.
Plymouth Rock New Jersey Pricing
| Plymouth Rock | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $199 | $91 |
| Annually | $2,389 | $1,093 |
| Difference from New Jersey average | -14% | -24% |
Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – Mid-Atlantic2 | CRASH Network Report Card3 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction4 | NAIC Complaint Index5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJM | 721 | B | 731 | 0.39 |
| GEICO | 643 | C- | 697 | 1.45 |
| Progressive | 625 | C- | 673 | 1.43 |
| USAA | 743 | C- | 741 | 1.62 |
| Plymouth Rock | 614 | B | Not rated | 1.45 |
| Average | 656 (out of 1,000) | C+ | 700 (out of 1,000) | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Average Cost of Auto Insurance in New Jersey
Full Coverage Rates in New Jersey
Full coverage auto insurance in New Jersey averages $2,781 a year, or $232 a month — about 18 percent more than the national average.
| Location | Annual full coverage average | Monthly full coverage average |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $2,781 | $232 |
| U.S. | $2,356 | $196 |
Minimum Coverage Rates in New Jersey
Minimum coverage liability auto insurance costs an average of $1,431 per year, or $119 a month. That’s nearly double the national average.
| Location | Annual minimum coverage average | Monthly minimum coverage average |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $1,431 | $119 |
| U.S. | $722 | $60 |
>> Keep Reading: Compare Multiple Quotes
Auto Insurance Costs by City in New Jersey
Your city has a significant impact on your auto insurance rates. In New Jersey, the highest average premiums are in Passaic ($4,294 annually) and Newark ($4,103 annually). Toms River ($2,615 annually) and Trenton ($3,313 annually) have some of the lowest rates in the state.
| City | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Passaic | $4,294 | $358 |
| Elizabeth | $4,277 | $356 |
| Newark | $4,103 | $342 |
| Union City | $4,095 | $341 |
| Camden | $4,041 | $337 |
| Paterson | $3,971 | $331 |
| Bayonne | $3,713 | $309 |
| Jersey City | $3,695 | $308 |
| Trenton | $3,313 | $276 |
| Toms River | $2,615 | $218 |
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in New Jersey
A 2022 law raised the minimum auto insurance requirements in New Jersey in two phases. The first phase went into effect Jan. 1, 2023, and the second became effective Jan. 1, 2026. According to the law, the current minimum insurance requirements in New Jersey are as follows:6
- Bodily injury liability: $35,000 per person/$70,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $15,0007
Additionally, New Jersey drivers have the option to purchase a basic car insurance policy, which includes $5,000 in property damage liability and $15,000 in personal injury protection, with the option to add $10,000 in bodily injury liability. The policy is designed for drivers with minimal assets; the liability limits are extremely low and unlikely to cover the costs of an accident, which can leave you vulnerable to a lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, the cheapest full coverage car insurance in New Jersey comes from GEICO, at $163 monthly, followed by NJM ($165 monthly) and Progressive ($196 monthly). The cheapest minimum coverage goes to GEICO ($66 monthly), NJM ($83 monthly) and Plymouth Rock ($91 monthly).
GEICO has the best rates for teen drivers in New Jersey, with an average premium of $3,237 per year, or $270 per month.
Car insurance is getting more expensive in general, but in New Jersey, recent changes in the law are also having an effect. Minimum liability limits for standard auto insurance policies in New Jersey increased in 2023 and again on Jan. 1, 2026, to $35,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $70,000 per accident, $25,000 in property damage, $25,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and $15,000 in personal injury protection. These increased minimums have caused premiums to increase for drivers with minimum coverage auto insurance.
New Jersey is a no-fault state that requires personal injury protection (PIP). In no-fault states, each driver files a claim with their own insurance provider, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. Because the other driver will not cover your injuries (even if they’re at fault), New Jersey requires PIP so you can finance any medical expense or lost wages to you or your passengers.
Liability limits of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident for property damage are often adequate. If you have valuable assets or a high net worth, consider increasing your limits to 250/500/250, or purchasing an umbrella policy.
It’s also wise to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with limits equal to your liability limits, and comprehensive/collision coverage. New Jersey also requires personal injury protection coverage of at least $15,000, with the option to increase PIP to $250,000 or more. How much PIP to purchase depends on factors like your healthcare coverage and personal savings.
Methodology: How We Review Providers
When evaluating auto insurance providers in New Jersey, we based our reviews on the following criteria:
- Pricing (40%): We analyzed the costs of both full and minimum coverage policies in New Jersey for drivers with clean records and those with prior incidents, like DUIs. We also considered available discounts. Minimum coverage averages meet New Jersey’s state-mandated limits, while full coverage averages use the following limits:
-
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $100,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection: $15,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Claims handling (25%): Efficient claims handling is crucial for any auto insurance provider. We reviewed third-party data from independent sources such as the J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and AM Best to evaluate claims handling.
- Customer experience (25%): We assessed the customer experience from various perspectives, including the ease of getting a quote, digital tools, policy management options, and the availability of local agents. Our evaluation incorporated third-party data from sources like J.D. Power, alongside app ratings and data on the provider’s customer service for New Jersey drivers.
- Coverage options (10%): We reviewed each company’s coverage offerings, preferring providers with options beyond New Jersey’s minimum requirements. We also considered additional coverage types, such as mechanical breakdown insurance, rideshare coverage and other benefits.
Learn more about our ratings and methodology sources.
Sources
ABOUT US. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. (2026).
https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/About-Us/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/243357/joint-base-mcguire-dix-lakehurst/It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, June 10).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2026. Crash Network. (2026).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, JD Power Finds. JD Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyConsumer Insurance Search Results. NAIC. (2026).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htmGet Legal with New Jersey’s Basic Auto Insurance Policy. NJ Department of Banking and Insurance. (2026).
https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_consumers/insurance/basicpolicy.shtml2025 New Jersey Revised Statutes Title 17 – Corporations and Institutions for Finance and Insurance Section 17:28-1.1 – Required coverage; exceptions. JUSTIA U.S. Law. (2025).
https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-17/section-17-28-1-1/
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