- New Jersey is the fourth-most expensive state in the US for car insurance.
- GEICO, USAA, and Travelers generally offer the best affordable car insurance for drivers with good or better credit.
- It's critical to shop around for coverage in order to get your best rate and save.
- Check out our partner Savvy — a free tool that lets you compare car insurance quotes in minutes »
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 consider your location, age, gender, and driving record to calculate rates. Other factors like credit score, marital status, vehicle type, previous coverage, and miles driven 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 based on market share
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 Market 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, a consumer research company that surveys customers, these are the top ten car insurance companies in Mid-Atlantic region, which includes New Jersey, based on customer rankings:
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.
| Excellent Credit (FICO 800+) | Good Credit (FICO 670-739) | Poor Credit (FICO 300-579) |
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*USAA for active duty military, veterans, and their families
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 2,753 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 2,753 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.
Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.
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