Fact CheckedNerdWallet’s editorial team collected data on 14 auto insurers in New Jersey and scored them for a variety of factors, including customer experience, online features and discounts. We chose NJM for the top spot in New Jersey, but plenty of other car insurance companies in the state also earned high ratings.
Our February 2026 picks for the best car insurance companies in New Jersey are:
Category winner | NerdWallet star rating |
|---|---|
Best overall car insurance company: NJM | |
Runner-up for the best car insurance company: Amica | |
Best for budgeting shoppers: GEICO | |
Best for coverage add-ons: Travelers | |
Best for usage-based insurance: Nationwide |
- How we found the best car insurance companies in New Jersey
For our list of the best car insurance companies in New Jersey, we considered only insurers that achieved a minimum NerdWallet star rating of 4.5. As we continue to evaluate more insurance providers and receive fresh market data, our list of best car insurance companies may change.
NerdWallet’s editorial team considers these factors when choosing the best auto insurance companies:
Financial strength. We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims.
Consumer experience. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). We also look at survey data from J.D. Power’s yearly national and regional studies.
Digital ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes the quality of information offered online, mobile app scores based on Apple and Google Play store ratings, and whether a user can start and track a claim, or get a quote online.
Ways to save. We look at the kinds of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
You can read our full auto insurance methodology to learn more.
- Why you can trust NerdWallet
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 120 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 130 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which includes rates from every locale in a state where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Best overall car insurance in New Jersey: NJM
Full coverage
$185 /month
Liability only
$75 /month
NJM boasts high customer satisfaction and low complaints, but it is available in only five states.
Rating Breakdown
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
State Availability
Available in: CT, MD, NJ, OH, & PA.
- Why NJM is the best in New Jersey for customer satisfaction
Why NJM is the best: NJM boasts one of the best scores in our analysis for customer experience. It earns far fewer customer complaints from policyholders than expected for its size, and scores at the top of the Mid-Atlantic region for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Study.
One notable perk for New Jersey drivers is NJM's dividends offering. In years when NJM performs well, you could receive a percentage back on your insurance premium. New Jerseyans may also receive a second cash dividend in the form of a check.
NJM has some of the best rates for good drivers in New Jersey, as well as for drivers who have an accident or driving violation on their records. NJM also has a great set of discounts that could help further lower rates.
Don’t pick NJM if: You want to add lots of coverage to a basic car insurance policy. While NJM offers a couple of coverage add-ons, including gap insurance, other insurers (like our runner-up in New Jersey, Amica) may offer more options.
How much does NJM car insurance cost in New Jersey? The average cost of car insurance from NJM for someone with a clean driving record is $185 per month, or $2,215 per year in New Jersey. That’s compared to the statewide average of $3,664 per year.
» Read the full review: NJM auto insurance review
- Average cost of car insurance for NJM in New Jersey
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $2,215 $905 One speeding ticket, good credit $2,904 $1,211 One at-fault crash, good credit $2,402 $988 One DUI, good credit $2,904 $1,211 Clean driving record, poor credit $3,760 $1,746
Runner-up for best for car insurance: Amica
Full coverage
$283 /month
Liability only
$153 /month
Low consumer complaints and a wide variety of policy perks and discounts make Amica a top-rated choice for good drivers.
Rating Breakdown
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Availability
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
- Why Amica is our runner-up in New Jersey
Why Amica is the runner-up: Amica is a great all-around car insurance company, especially if you’d rather work with a larger insurer than NJM. Amica’s digital features, discounts and customer satisfaction all compare very well to other top insurers. Amica earns fewer complaints than expected for its size, and scored better than average on the J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study.
We also like the coverage offerings that Amica offers, including gap insurance, new car replacement and glass coverage. Like NJM, Amica may offer a dividend-paying policy that could return part of your premium to you, though a dividend-paying policy can cost more than a regular one.
Don’t pick Amica if: You want the absolute cheapest car insurance in New Jersey. While Amica may be cheaper than average for some drivers, it’s a good idea to compare auto insurance quotes to make sure that it’s the most affordable choice for your needs.
How much does Amica car insurance cost in New Jersey? The average cost of car insurance from Amica for someone with a clean driving record is $283 per month, or $3,401 per year in New Jersey. That’s compared to the statewide average of $3,664 per year.
» Read the full review: Amica auto insurance review
- Average cost of car insurance for Amica in New Jersey
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $3,401 $1,834 One speeding ticket, good credit $4,484 $2,468 One at-fault crash, good credit $3,772 $1,958 One DUI, good credit $13,463 $7,525 Clean driving record, poor credit $11,270 $2,127
Best for shopping on a budget: GEICO
Full coverage
$137 /month
Liability only
$43 /month
With nationwide availability and a raft of discounts, GEICO is a popular, and often affordable, choice for car insurance.
Rating Breakdown
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Availability
Available in: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
- Why GEICO is the best in New Jersey for budgeting shoppers
Why GEICO is the best: GEICO is a great pick for budget-conscious shoppers in New Jersey because of its cheap rates and ample discount opportunities. Good drivers and even those who don’t have a spotless record may find that GEICO has some of the best rates for car insurance in New Jersey.
GEICO earned the highest score in our analysis for its discounts. Its DriveEasy program could provide another way for drivers to get lower rates. GEICO scored above average for usage-based insurance programs on the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study.
Don’t pick GEICO if: You want to be able to add lots of extra coverage to your policy. GEICO offers only a few add-ons, including mechanical breakdown coverage. Other insurers may offer more options.
How much does GEICO car insurance cost in New Jersey? The average cost of car insurance from GEICO for someone with a clean driving record is $137 per month, or $1,648 per year in New Jersey. That’s compared to the statewide average of $3,664 per year.
» Read the full review: GEICO auto insurance review
- Average cost of car insurance for GEICO in New Jersey
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $1,648 $521 One speeding ticket, good credit $1,648 $521 One at-fault crash, good credit $2,270 $707 One DUI, good credit $2,308 $719 Clean driving record, poor credit $4,647 $1,579
Best for coverage options: Travelers
Full coverage
$181 /month
Liability only
$93 /month
Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy.
Rating Breakdown
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Availability
Available in: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, & WI.
- Why Travelers is the best in New Jersey for coverage options
Why Travelers is the best: Travelers' many car insurance options could allow drivers in New Jersey to enhance a basic policy. Travelers offers gap insurance, new car replacement, rideshare insurance and the choice between two accident forgiveness plans.
Travelers also has some of the best rates in New Jersey for good drivers. Low average prices might make Travelers more appealing to drivers who want to take advantage of the insurer’s coverage options. Travelers' great set of discounts could also help you reduce your rates.
Don’t pick Travelers if: You prefer that your insurer has a high customer experience rating. We rated Travelers well, and it receives fewer complaints than expected for its size. But it scored lower than average on the Customer Satisfaction Study from J.D. Power.
How much does Travelers car insurance cost in New Jersey? The average cost of car insurance from Travelers for someone with a clean driving record is $181 per month, or $2,167 per year in New Jersey. That’s compared to the statewide average, which is $3,664 per year.
» Read the full review: Travelers auto insurance review
- Average cost of car insurance for Travelers in New Jersey
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $2,167 $1,120 One speeding ticket, good credit $2,914 $1,495 One at-fault crash, good credit $3,446 $1,895 One DUI, good credit $3,702 $1,913 Clean driving record, poor credit $4,534 $2,682
Best for usage-based insurance: Nationwide
Nationwide’s wide variety of coverage options and low number of complaints make it a solid choice for many consumers.
Rating Breakdown
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Availability
Available in: AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, & WY.
- Why Nationwide is the best in New Jersey for usage-based insurance
Why Nationwide is the best: Nationwide offers two usage-based insurance options: SmartMiles and SmartRide. In SmartRide, your rates depend on your driving habits, like your speed, handling and phone usage. Rates in SmartMiles depend on the number of miles you drive. Nationwide ranks first for customer satisfaction for usage-based insurance, according to the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Survey.
Nationwide’s usage-based insurance provides the same coverage as regular car insurance. If you want more coverage than what a basic policy offers, you might think about adding Nationwide's accident forgiveness, gap insurance and vanishing deductible, as well as other extras, to your policy.
Don’t pick Nationwide if: You haven’t gotten to compare car insurance rates yet. We don’t have rates for Nationwide in New Jersey, so while it could be a relatively cheap option for you, you’ll want to shop around for coverage to be sure.
» Read the full review: Nationwide auto insurance review
- Average cost of car insurance for Nationwide in the U.S.
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $2,872 $955 One speeding ticket, good credit $3,880 $1,206 One at-fault crash, good credit $4,710 $1,504 One DUI, good credit $6,205 $1,888 Clean driving record, poor credit $4,129 $1,308
All of the top-rated insurance companies in New Jersey
There isn’t one insurance company that’s best for everyone. In fact, the best car insurance company for you depends on your insurance needs, your driving history and the amount that you can afford to spend on coverage, as well as other factors.
Of all of the top-rated car insurance companies in New Jersey, these are the ones we think are best for certain types of drivers:
Company | Star rating |
|---|---|
Best car insurance in New Jersey: NJM | |
Best runner-up: Amica | |
Best for affordability: GEICO | |
Best for coverage options: Travelers | |
Best for usage-based insurance: Nationwide | |
Best for high-risk drivers: Progressive | |
Best for military families: USAA* | |
*USAA is available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families. | |
What to know about car insurance in New Jersey
There are some ways that insurance in New Jersey is different from other states. It’s important to understand these differences so that you know how much car insurance you need, and what to expect after an accident.
- How much car insurance should a New Jersey driver have?
Drivers in New Jersey must have a certain amount of car insurance to drive. Unlike in most other states, drivers can choose between a couple of different coverage tiers to satisfy the state’s insurance requirements. Most drivers opt to get what’s called the “standard policy.”
A standard policy in New Jersey includes:
Bodily injury liability insurance: After an accident, this coverage helps cover the cost of the injuries you cause to another person.
Property damage liability insurance: Like bodily injury liability, this coverage helps pay for the damage you cause to other people’s property.
Personal injury protection: Regardless of fault, this coverage helps to pay for your and your passengers’ injuries after an accident.
In New Jersey your insurance would help pay for your injuries after an accident, regardless of fault. But after causing an accident that seriously injures another driver, you may have to rely on your bodily liability insurance to pay for that person’s injuries.
While a standard policy comes with more coverage than other tiers, most drivers need more insurance. A full coverage policy — one that has comprehensive and collision insurance — would help pay for damage to your own car in most situations, even if you were at fault for the damage. A standard policy in New Jersey doesn’t offer this kind of protection.
- What is basic car insurance in New Jersey?
Drivers in New Jersey can meet the state’s insurance laws by choosing a basic policy, which covers less damage than a standard policy. A basic policy doesn’t come with bodily injury liability coverage, though you can add it. It doesn’t have the option of adding uninsured or underinsured coverage, either.
So is it a good idea to get a basic policy? For most people, probably not. The danger of a policy with low limits (and no bodily injury liability requirement) is that you could face massive out-of-pocket costs and possibly a lawsuit if you’re involved in a serious accident.
- What is dollar-a-day car insurance?
Dollar-a-day car insurance or a Special Auto Insurance Policy (SAIP) is an option for drivers in New Jersey who are eligible for Medicaid with hospitalization. An SAIP is not an option for all drivers, and coverage is much different than the standard and basic insurance options.
As its name suggests, an SAIP costs just $365 per year. This policy covers treatment after an accident for a serious brain or spinal cord injury, and provides a death benefit if the accident is fatal.
- The average cost of car insurance in New Jersey
The average cost of car insurance in New Jersey is $3,664 per year, but it depends on how much coverage you have and your driving record. Other details like your age, where you live, your car and your insurance company will also affect your rates. Here is the median cost of car insurance in the state for different drivers:
Driver profile Full coverage rate Minimum coverage rate Clean driving record, good credit $3,664 $1,159 One speeding ticket, good credit $5,194 $1,634 One at-fault crash, good credit $5,624 $1,672 One DUI, good credit $6,666 $1,885 Clean driving record, poor credit $7,117 $1,911 - What to do if you're having trouble finding insurance
It could be difficult to find car insurance after multiple accidents or serious driving violations. In this case, you may need to get insurance through the New Jersey Auto Insurance Plan (NJAIP). The NJAIP isn’t an insurer; it’s an organization that the state created to help high-risk drivers find enough insurance to meet New Jersey’s minimum coverage requirements.
How to get the best car insurance in New Jersey
There are many more insurance companies in New Jersey than the ones we’ve called out here. If you’re unsure which insurer is the right one for you, follow these steps to find which one is the best fit.
Understand the coverage you need. While NerdWallet recommends getting more insurance than New Jersey requires, you don’t want to pay more than you have to for coverage you don’t need.
Know the type of company you’re looking for. Some insurers are best suited to drivers looking for cheap rates; others are better for drivers who want robust coverage options or consistently reliable service. Having a handle on what you prefer can help you decide on the right insurer.
Consider other factors. One particular detail can greatly influence which insurer is the best for you. Your list of top companies may change if you work from home and almost never drive, want to bundle policies or need coverage for a new driver in your family.
Shop around at least once a year. The cost of car insurance changes regularly. Make sure to shop around from a few car insurance companies to be sure yours is still the best choice.
Don’t shy away from smaller insurers. A small, regional insurance company in New Jersey may line up best with your coverage needs and budget. An agent or broker could help you find local insurance companies in your area.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Accessed Feb 13, 2026.
- 2.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Accessed Feb 13, 2026.
- 3.State of New Jersey: Department of Banking and Insurance. Standard Auto Insurance Policy. Accessed Feb 13, 2026.
- 4.State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP). Accessed Feb 13, 2026.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Here’s how we evaluated each car insurance company and the weights we placed on each category:
Financial strength (30%).
Consumer complaints (30%).
Ease of use (20%).
Affordability (20%).
The best auto insurers excel at all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and provide more than one way to buy and manage a policy. They're financially strong and able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect only the minimum coverage required by law in the state.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
We used a 2023 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
