Fact CheckedThe cheapest car insurance in New Jersey, at a glance
Coverage type
Full coverage | GEICO, $137 per month
Liability coverage | GEICO, $45 per month
Driving record
Speeding ticket | GEICO, $137 per month
At-fault accident | GEICO, $189 per month
DUI | GEICO, $192 per month
Driver age
Young drivers | GEICO, $161 per month
Millennial drivers | GEICO, $139 per month
Gen X drivers | GEICO, $139 per month
Senior drivers | NJM, $162 per month
Credit-based insurance score
Good credit | GEICO, $137 per month
Poor credit | NJM, $313 per month
These are median rates from NerdWallet's April 2026 analysis, but your rate will vary based on your personal information, location and insurance provider. Not all companies offer policies in every state.
NerdWallet analyzed rates from 15 car insurance companies across every ZIP code in New Jersey. We reviewed rates to find the cheapest car insurance for drivers with different coverage levels, ages, driving records and credit histories.
For more detailed information about how we found the companies with the cheapest rates in New Jersey, please check out our full methodology at the bottom of this page.
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 rates we show because our team of data analysts rigorously eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data. The data that we gather and analyze comes from every ZIP code in a state where coverage is offered and such data is available. When we compare rates across driving profiles, we change only one variable at a time. This way, it’s easy to see how each factor affects the cost of auto insurance.
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Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for full insurance
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for full coverage, with an average rate of $137 per month and $1,648 per year.
After a car accident, a full coverage policy helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause to other people. Full coverage can also pay for most types of damage to your own car. Auto lenders and leases usually require full coverage, but once you’ve paid off your car, you could lower your rates by dropping some of your coverage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $1,648 | $137 |
| Travelers | $2,167 | $181 |
| NJM | $2,215 | $185 |
| Penn National | $2,554 | $213 |
| Progressive | $2,865 | $239 |
Rates refreshed April 2026.
How to get cheap full coverage car insurance in New Jersey
On average, New Jersey is one of the more expensive states for car insurance. But while rates may often be higher in New Jersey than in other states, you can still take a few steps to lower your car insurance costs.
Shop around and compare car insurance rates from a few different companies before buying — and renewing — your policy. This way, you’ll see which insurer has your best rates. Raising your deductibles (the amount you’d pay toward a future claim) and decreasing your coverage on an older car can also help you lower your rates.
Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for minimum coverage
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for minimum coverage, with an average rate of $45 per month and $539 per year.
New Jersey requires all drivers to carry at least one type of liability insurance. After an accident, your liability insurance may help to pay for the injuries and property damage that you cause to others. Your liability insurance wouldn’t pay for your injuries or your car’s damage.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $539 | $45 |
| Progressive | $679 | $57 |
| NJM | $863 | $72 |
| Plymouth Rock | $870 | $73 |
| Travelers | $1,191 | $99 |
Rates refreshed April 2026.
New Jersey is a no-fault state, requiring drivers to carry personal injury protection, or PIP, in addition to liability insurance. New Jersey is unique in that it offers a choice between two sets of requirements for minimum insurance coverage, in the form of a Basic Policy and a Standard Policy.
Basic Policy:
$5,000 property damage liability per accident.
$15,000 personal injury protection.
Bodily injury liability isn’t required for the Basic Policy, but should you choose to buy it, the minimum is $10,000 per accident.
Standard Policy:
$35,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$70,000 bodily injury liability total per accident.
$25,000 property damage liability per accident.
$15,000 personal injury protection.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.
Personal injury protection will cover your medical bills and expenses if you’re injured in a car crash, up to your policy limits, no matter whose fault it was. Depending on your state, PIP may also pay for:
Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to injuries from an accident.
Services you can no longer perform, like house cleaning or child care, because of your injuries.
Funeral costs if an accident-related injury leads to death.
A small death benefit as a cash payout.
Do you need a Basic or Standard Policy?
New Jersey requires car insurance, and you can meet that requirement by getting a Basic or Standard Policy. The Basic Policy doesn’t include liability insurance that will help pay for the injuries you cause. It also comes with far less property coverage than a Standard Policy. The Standard Policy with full coverage is a better option for drivers that can afford it, since it’s less likely to leave you paying out of pocket to cover the damage from a serious accident.
Best and cheapest car insurance in New Jersey
Many car insurance companies in New Jersey offer relatively cheap rates, high-quality customer service and reliable coverage.
The editors at NerdWallet awarded each of these companies in New Jersey a rating of at least 4.5 stars out of 5 for customer service, financial stability, online experience and discount offerings:
Amica (5.0 NerdWallet Rating out of 5): $3,387 per year, $282 per month.
GEICO (5.0 NerdWallet Rating): $1,648 per year, $137 per month.
NJM (5.0 NerdWallet Rating): $2,215 per year, $185 per month.
Plymouth Rock (4.9 NerdWallet Rating): $5,122 per year, $427 per month.
Travelers (4.9 NerdWallet Rating): $2,167 per year, $181 per month.
Progressive (4.8 NerdWallet Rating): $2,865 per year, $239 per month.
State Farm (4.8 NerdWallet Rating): $3,230 per year, $269 per month.
Farmers (4.6 NerdWallet Rating): $4,473 per year, $373 per month.
Mercury (4.5 NerdWallet Rating): $5,614 per year, $468 per month.
» MORE: Best car insurance in New Jersey
Cheapest car insurance in large New Jersey cities
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers with a range of driving histories in some of the largest New Jersey cities.
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Jersey City. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Jersey City.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $1,896 After a DUI GEICO $2,689 After an accident GEICO $2,644 After a speeding ticket GEICO $1,896 Having poor credit NJM $4,559 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $636 After a DUI GEICO $894 After an accident GEICO $878 After a speeding ticket GEICO $636 Having poor credit Plymouth Rock $1,068 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Newark. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Newark.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $2,415 After a DUI GEICO $3,451 After an accident GEICO $3,391 After a speeding ticket GEICO $2,415 Having poor credit NJM $6,359 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history GEICO $795 After a DUI Plymouth Rock $1,102 After an accident GEICO $1,100 After a speeding ticket GEICO $795 Having poor credit Plymouth Rock $1,102 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Cheapest auto insurance in New Jersey by age
Your age is one important factor in determining how much you'll pay for car insurance. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.
Below are the cheapest car insurance rates for New Jersey drivers. All rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be high in your 20s, but tend to come down as you get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 20-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $161 per month and $1,936 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,936 $161 NJM $3,902 $325 Travelers $4,353 $363 Penn National $5,321 $443 Progressive $6,179 $515 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 20-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $52 per month and $618 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $618 $52 Plymouth Rock $1,365 $114 Progressive $1,555 $130 NJM $1,655 $138 Travelers $2,041 $170 Rates refreshed April 2026.
By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 30-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $139 per month and $1,664 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,664 $139 Travelers $2,168 $181 NJM $2,307 $192 Penn National $2,690 $224 Progressive $2,948 $246 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 30-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $45 per month and $535 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $535 $45 Progressive $701 $58 Plymouth Rock $885 $74 NJM $919 $77 Travelers $1,154 $96 Rates refreshed April 2026.
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 40s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. You may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $138 per month and $1,653 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,653 $138 Travelers $2,099 $175 NJM $2,173 $181 Penn National $2,463 $205 Progressive $2,704 $225 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 40-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $46 per month and $548 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $548 $46 Progressive $644 $54 Plymouth Rock $850 $71 NJM $853 $71 Penn National $1,176 $98 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 60-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $144 per month and $1,726 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,726 $144 NJM $1,899 $158 Travelers $1,935 $161 Penn National $2,285 $190 Progressive $2,384 $199 Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 60-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $48 per month and $581 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $581 $48 GEICO $599 $50 NJM $751 $63 Plymouth Rock $880 $73 Travelers $1,115 $93 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Our analysis shows that older drivers with good credit and a clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, but car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
NJM has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $162 per month and $1,943 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NJM $1,943 $162 GEICO $2,140 $178 Travelers $2,236 $186 Penn National $2,633 $219 Selective $2,869 $239 Progressive has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for 70-year-old drivers, with an average rate of $63 per month and $760 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $760 $63 GEICO $769 $64 NJM $791 $66 Plymouth Rock $948 $79 Selective $1,234 $103 Rates refreshed April 2026.
"Dollar a day" insurance
For affordable medical coverage, New Jersey offers an auto insurance policy to low-income drivers eligible for federal Medicaid with hospitalization. The policy, known as the Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP), costs $360 to $365 per year, or about $1 per day.
SAIP provides minimal medical coverage only, and does not cover liability or vehicle damage.
Cheapest auto insurance in New Jersey by driving record
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and your other personal characteristics.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old New Jersey drivers with different driving records. If you have multiple violations on your record, consider looking into the best high-risk car insurance companies.
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance, but insurers use different equations to calculate prices. So, if your rates rose after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with one speeding ticket, with an average rate of $137 per month and $1,648 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,648 $137 NJM $2,904 $242 Travelers $2,914 $243 Penn National $3,741 $312 Progressive $3,838 $320 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with one speeding ticket, with an average rate of $45 per month and $539 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $539 $45 Plymouth Rock $870 $73 Progressive $901 $75 NJM $1,152 $96 Travelers $1,583 $132 Rates refreshed April 2026.
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. If your insurance went up after a recent crash, you might find cheaper options by shopping around.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with one at-fault accident, with an average rate of $189 per month and $2,270 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,270 $189 NJM $2,402 $200 Travelers $3,446 $287 Amica $3,755 $313 Penn National $3,874 $323 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with one at-fault accident, with an average rate of $61 per month and $733 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $733 $61 Plymouth Rock $905 $75 NJM $942 $79 Progressive $1,161 $97 Penn National $1,819 $152 Rates refreshed April 2026.
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase the cost of car insurance. Our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in New Jersey with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $137 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $192 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers after a DUI, with an average rate of $192 per month and $2,308 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $2,308 $192 NJM $2,904 $242 Progressive $3,420 $285 Travelers $3,702 $309 Foremost $5,311 $443 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers after a DUI, with an average rate of $62 per month and $746 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $746 $62 Progressive $798 $66 Plymouth Rock $870 $73 NJM $1,152 $96 Foremost $1,471 $123 Rates refreshed April 2026.
If DUIs, poor credit or other high-risk factors are preventing you from getting car insurance on the voluntary market, you can seek coverage through the New Jersey Automobile Insurance Plan. For more help finding competitive car insurance quotes in New Jersey, try NerdWallet's car insurance comparison tool.
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in New Jersey
Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey by credit history
Your credit history can impact your auto insurance rates in New Jersey. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score, which is different from your regular credit score, to determine the likelihood you’ll file a claim.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old New Jersey drivers with poor credit.
NJM has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $313 per month and $3,760 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NJM $3,760 $313 Travelers $4,534 $378 GEICO $4,648 $387 Progressive $4,765 $397 Penn National $5,158 $430 Plymouth Rock has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with poor credit, with an average rate of $73 per month and $870 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Plymouth Rock $870 $73 Progressive $911 $76 Foremost $1,376 $115 GEICO $1,643 $137 NJM $1,681 $140 Rates refreshed April 2026.
GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $137 per month and $1,648 per year for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $1,648 $137 Travelers $2,167 $181 NJM $2,215 $185 Penn National $2,554 $213 Progressive $2,865 $239 GEICO has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for drivers with good credit, with an average rate of $45 per month and $539 per year for minimum coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate GEICO $539 $45 Progressive $679 $57 NJM $863 $72 Plymouth Rock $870 $73 Travelers $1,191 $99 Rates refreshed April 2026.
Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for military families
USAA offers auto insurance to active military, veterans, certain federal employees and their families only.
Discounts
Great set of discounts
Ease of use
Above average
NAIC complaints
More than expected
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.
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or you have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public. Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it's often one of the cheapest insurance providers available. Read our USAA auto insurance review.
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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.State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. Standard Auto Insurance Policy - Differences Between Basic and Standard Policies. Accessed Apr 3, 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.
