Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Car insurance is rather expensive in New Jersey, with the average driver paying $1,350.28 per year. In fact, it's the fourth-most expensive state in the US for car insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Car insurance companies tend to calculate rates that are different for everyone. Factors like where you live in New Jersey, your age, gender, and your driving record can all play a role in the amount you'll pay for coverage.
In New Jersey, it's very important to shop around for your coverage to get the best auto insurance policy for your money. To do this, get several quotes from several different companies and compare them. Here are a few of the best affordable car insurance companies in New Jersey to start your search.
The most popular car insurance companies in New Jersey
The following are the most popular car insurance companies in New Jersey, based on the percentage of insured New Jersey drivers who use them:
| Company | Market share % |
| GEICO | 22.77 |
| NJM Insurance | 13.16 |
| Progressive | 12.36 |
| Allstate Corp | 10.54 |
| Plymouth Rock of New Jersey | 7.86 |
| State Farm | 7.36 |
| Liberty Mutual | 6.73 |
| USAA* | 3.96 |
| Travelers | 3.63 |
| Farmers Insurance | 2.37 |
| MetLife | 1.78 |
| CSAA Insurance Exchange | 1.32 |
*USAA - for active military, veterans, and their families
Data from S&P Global Intelligence.
The best car insurance in New Jersey based on customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction with car insurance providers may factor into your decision. According to a J.D. Power survey, these are the top ten in Mid-Atlantic region, which includes New Jersey, based on customer rankings:
- State Farm
- Erie Insurance
- NJM Insurance
- GEICO
- Region Average
- Travelers
- Nationwide
- MetLife
- CSAA Insurance Group
- Progressive
The best car insurance in New Jersey based on credit score
Consumer Reports compiled information on insurance companies and their pricing formulas in each state. It found that a few companies offered the best coverage in New Jersey. Here are the best car insurance companies by credit level, along with the average cost for coverage for a single adult driver.
Drivers with excellent credit (FICO scores of 800-850) will see some of the best prices on car insurance, on average.
- GEICO Government Employees car insurance: $1,058 per year
- USAA car insurance: $1,281 per year
- Travelers car insurance: $1,310 per year
Drivers with good credit (FICO scores of 670-739), will find that these three companies offer the best rates, on average:
- GEICO Government Employees car insurance: $1,058 per year
- USAA car insurance: $1,446 per year
- Travelers car insurance: $1,462 per year
New Jersey drivers with poor credit (FICO scores 300-579) will pay the most for coverage. These three companies offer the most affordable coverage, on average.
- GEICO Government Employees car insurance: $1,469 per year
- New Jersey Manufacturers car insurance: $1,511 per year
- Allstate car insurance: $2,373 per year
The best car insurance for clean driver record
For a driver in New Jersey age 25 or older with no accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| GEICO | $173 |
| Progressive | $189 |
| Allstate | $197 |
| State Farm | $200 |
| USAA | $201 |
| Esurance | $202 |
| Travelers | $221 |
| Farmers | $257 |
| Liberty Mutual | $258 |
| Bristol West | $386 |
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 5,248 policyholders in the state of New Jersey
Best car insurance for one or more accidents on record
For a driver in New Jersey age 25 or older, with one or more accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| GEICO | $199 |
| Esurance | $210 |
| Progressive | $223 |
| Allstate | $234 |
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 5,248 policyholders in the state of New Jersey
New Jersey car insurance rates by city
Below is the estimated average annual premium of auto insurance policies per household in New Jersey's most populous cities:
| City | Average annual insurance premium |
| Newark | $1,281 |
| Jersey City | $1,495 |
| Paterson | $1,319 |
| Elizabeth | $1,387 |
| Toms River | $1,544 |
| Clifton | $1,550 |
| Trenton | $1,302 |
| Camden | $1,273 |
| Passaic | $1,355 |
| Union | $1,403 |
| Bayonne | $1,467 |
| East Orange | $1,328 |
| Lakewood | $1,441 |
| Vineland | $1,413 |
| New Brunswick | $1,362 |
| Hoboken | $1,662 |
| West New York | $1,426 |
| Perth Amboy | $1,430 |
| Plainfield | $1,484 |
| Hackensack | $1,461 |
| Sayreville | $1,594 |
| Kearny | $1,511 |
| Linden | $1,532 |
| Fort Lee | $1,573 |
| Atlantic City | $1,239 |
| Fair Lawn | $1,694 |
| Garfield | $1,437 |
| Westfield | $1,852 |
| Rahway | $1,541 |
| Long Branch | $1,440 |
| Englewood | $1,588 |
| Paramus | $1,716 |
| Bergenfield | $1,654 |
| Millville | $1,367 |
| Ridgewood | $1,840 |
| Carteret | $1,514 |
| Lodi | $1,457 |
| Cliffside Park | $1,500 |
| Bridgeton | $1,298 |
| Old Bridge | $1,698 |
| South Plainfield | $1,680 |
| Somerset | $1,652 |
| Summit | $1,803 |
| Roselle | $1,464 |
| Palisades Park | $1,493 |
| North Plainfield | $1,563 |
| Elmwood Park | $1,551 |
| Secaucus | $1,662 |
| Woodbridge | $1,592 |
| Morristown | $1,568 |
Who gets the best cheap car insurance in New Jersey?
As the rates above show, the drivers who are going to see the best rates for coverage in New Jersey are those who have the best credit scores. Car insurance companies will look at lots of different factors when calculating how much you'll pay for coverage, so each one will offer you a different price.
That said, it's important to shop around before making your final decision. To do this, get a few different quotes from different companies and compare them.
When comparing your quotes, you'll want to look past the premium and consider the coverage types and limits. Also consider the deductible, or the amount you'll be responsible for out-of-pocket if you get into an accident. The policy with the most coverage and the lowest deductible is the best.
- More personal finance coverage
- What's the best airline credit card?
- The best cash back credit cards
- Are CDs a good investment?
- When to save money in high-yield savings
- Best rewards credit cards
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: What happens to animals during wildfires