Plymouth Rock, Amica and Travelers lead New Jersey's car insurance market across different driver profiles. Plymouth Rock leads the state with 14 add-ons, perfect affordability and coverage scores. It offers the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey at $66 per month for minimum coverage. Two New Jersey-focused regional carriers appear in the top five: Selective and NJM, both of which hold strong positions in this market despite limited national visibility.
Best Car Insurance in New Jersey for 2026
Updated: April 24, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Plymouth Rock earns New Jersey's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5 with a perfect affordability and coverage score, 14 add-ons and minimum coverage at $66 per month, the lowest among the top-five New Jersey insurers.
New Jersey raised its minimum liability limits to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026, the largest minimum increase since the state's 2023 phase-in began, making this a critical year to verify your policy meets the new requirements.
New Jersey is a choice no-fault state. Drivers select Limited Right to Sue (lower premiums, restricted lawsuit rights) or Unlimited Right to Sue (higher premiums, full tort option), a choice with real financial implications.
HOW I DECIDED ON THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN NEW JERSEY
Mark Fitzpatrick, Licensed Insurance Producer
I analyzed quotes from six New Jersey insurers across every ZIP code in the state. New Jersey's complexity runs deep: it's a choice no-fault state, just implemented a January 2026 minimum increase to 35/70/25, requires personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, includes two regional carriers (Selective and NJM) in the top rankings, and offers a dollar-a-day SAIP program for low-income Medicaid enrollees.
- Affordability is weighted at 60%
- Customer experience accounts for 30%
- Coverage options make up the remaining 10%
Best Car Insurance Companies in New Jersey
| Plymouth Rock Insurance | 4.74 | $94 | 3 | 1 |
| Amica | 4.55 | $119 | 1 | 6 |
| Selective Insurance | 4.46 | $98 | 10 | 2 |
| Travelers | 4.32 | $131 | 2 | 5 |
| NJM Insurance | 4.31 | $112 | 4 | 7 |
Best Overall and Best for Drivers With a Violation
Plymouth Rock Insurance
Plymouth Rock earns the top composite score in my New Jersey analysis, the same result I found in Massachusetts, where it's also headquartered. New Jersey is Plymouth Rock's home market, and that depth shows in how it prices risk here. At $67 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, among the lowest I found in a state with some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country, Plymouth Rock also wins best score for DUI-affected drivers ($78 per month and cheapest), speeding ticket holders ($75 per month), accident-affected drivers ($88 per month) and drivers insuring older cars ($61 per month). New Jersey's no-fault framework, with its choice between limited and unlimited right-to-sue options, makes rate stability after violations matter more than in most states.
Plymouth Rock's 14-add-on menu and 5/5 coverage score are the same strengths it brings to Massachusetts, including tiered endorsement plans with personal property, vehicle systems and comprehensive add-on coverage. On customer experience, Plymouth Rock ranks third among the New Jersey insurers I analyzed, behind Amica and Travelers. Its regional service reputation is strong, though Amica's national J.D. Power standing is the higher benchmark.
- Affordability (60%): 5/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 4.2/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 5/5
Don't pick Plymouth Rock if customer experience is the top priority. Amica holds the highest customer experience score in New Jersey, backed by consistent J.D. Power rankings, at $86 per month minimum coverage for a clean-record adult.
Best for Young and Senior Drivers
Amica
Amica earns the highest customer experience score in my New Jersey analysis, and the profiles it wins reflect where that service quality matters most. Young drivers in New Jersey pay some of the highest rates in the country, with Amica's $176-per-month minimum reflecting a market shaped by dense traffic, high litigation rates and no-fault complexity. Senior drivers pay $83 per month minimum with Amica. Its consistent J.D. Power rankings, positive Reddit sentiment and policyholder praise for fair settlements and responsive communication back up that top service score.
Amica's five add-on menu includes gap insurance and rideshare coverage, fewer than Plymouth Rock's 14 add-ons. For young and senior drivers whose priority is a trusted claims experience over maximum coverage options, Amica's service record is the stronger argument. At $86 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, that's $20 more per month than Plymouth Rock.
- Affordability (60%): 4.6/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 5/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 3.3/5
Don't pick Amica if coverage depth or the lowest rate is your priority. Plymouth Rock's 14-add-on menu with tiered endorsement plans is the most complete coverage offering in New Jersey, and its $66-per-month clean-record minimum is $20 cheaper.
Best Cheap for Drivers With Bad Credit or Low Income
GEICO
GEICO holds the cheapest bad credit and low income rates in my New Jersey analysis — $85 per month minimum for bad credit and $57 per month for low income. In a state where even the most competitive rates are high by national standards, those figures represent the lowest I found for those profiles. For New Jersey drivers with bad credit or limited income whose primary need is the most affordable coverage available, GEICO’s rate advantage is meaningful.
The trade-offs are consistent with what I found in other states: GEICO operates primarily by phone and online, without a local agent network, and consumer reviews nationally flag difficulty reaching live support and unexpected rate changes as recurring issues. Its three add-on menu covers the basics only. In New Jersey’s complex no-fault environment, where choosing between limited and unlimited right-to-sue has real financial consequences, having a knowledgeable local agent to discuss coverage options has more practical value than in simpler insurance markets. For drivers who have made their coverage decisions and simply need the most affordable policy, GEICO delivers that clearly.
- Affordability (60%): 4.6/5
- Customer Experience (30%): 4/5
- Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5
Don’t pick GEICO if you need gap insurance or a local agent to help navigate New Jersey’s no-fault coverage options. Plymouth Rock’s $66 per month clean-record minimum is the lowest of the featured winners and includes 14 add-ons alongside a regional agent network that knows this market.
WHAT IS MY VERDICT?
For most New Jersey drivers, I'd recommend Plymouth Rock. The 4.8/5 MoneyGeek score, 14 add-ons, a $66-per-month minimum and wins across violation profiles make it the strongest all-around pick in one of the country's most complex insurance markets.
Amica is the right call for young drivers and seniors. The 5/5 customer experience score and strong claims record in a state where the choice no-fault system creates more complex claims environments justify the higher rate. GEICO is worth checking specifically for bad credit and low-income profiles. At $57 per month minimum for low income, GEICO offers the lowest rate I found in New Jersey. Low-income Medicaid enrollees should also look at the dollar-a-day SAIP program as a potential alternative.
Best Car Insurance in New Jersey by Driver Profile
New Jersey's profile analysis shows Plymouth Rock leading most violation and clean-record profiles, while Amica, GEICO, and Selective Insurance each win specific categories. New Jersey is a choice no-fault state where the January 2026 minimum increase to 35/70/25 raised baseline costs across all driver types. Credit scoring is allowed in New Jersey, which explains why bad credit rates run much higher than clean-record rates. Travelers wins the bad credit and low income categories with the lowest composite scores in the state for those profiles, even though its overall scoring falls below the top-five threshold.
Driver Profile | Best Provider | Average Monthly Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
Adult drivers (26 to 64), clean record | Plymouth Rock | $67 | $122 |
Young drivers (16 to 25) | Amica | $176 | $315 |
Senior drivers (65+) | Amica | $83 | $147 |
After an at-fault accident | Plymouth Rock | $88 | $166 |
After a speeding ticket | Plymouth Rock | $75 | $139 |
After a DUI | Plymouth Rock | $78 | $144 |
Bad credit | Travelers | $103 | $192 |
Low income | Travelers | $66 | $125 |
New Jersey's January 2026 minimum increase to 35/70/25 raised baseline rates for all driver profiles. Drivers who have not reviewed their policy since 2025 should verify their coverage was updated at renewal to meet the new 35/70/25 liability requirements.
Best Car Insurance in New Jersey by City
Plymouth Rock leads the MoneyGeek score across all 10 of New Jersey's most populous cities. The same combination of perfect affordability and coverage scores that drives Plymouth Rock's state-level ranking holds at the city level. Newark, Elizabeth and Paterson all average $118 per month, among the highest urban rates in this analysis, while Bayonne runs $100 per month. Plymouth Rock's lead is consistent across all 10 cities despite premium variation driven by local claims frequency and theft rates.
City | Best Provider | MoneyGeek Score (/5) | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
Bayonne | Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $100 |
Camden | Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $97 |
Clifton | Plymouth Rock | 4.70 | $113 |
Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $118 | |
Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $113 | |
Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $118 | |
Passaic | Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $114 |
Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $118 | |
Trenton | Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $102 |
Union City | Plymouth Rock | 4.80 | $102 |
Rates vary by ZIP code across New Jersey. The state's density means even neighboring ZIP codes can differ based on local traffic patterns, theft rates and claims frequency. Drivers in Newark, Elizabeth and Paterson pay up to $21 per month more than drivers in Camden for the same Plymouth Rock policy.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in New Jersey
New Jersey is one of the most complex auto insurance markets in the country, with a choice no-fault system, a January 2026 minimum liability increase to 35/70/25, a mandatory PIP requirement and a dollar-a-day SAIP program for Medicaid enrollees. The gap between Plymouth Rock at $66 per month and Travelers at $105 per month for minimum coverage adds up to $468 a year.
- 1
Know the January 2026 minimum increase
New Jersey raised its minimum liability limits from 25/50/25 to 35/70/25 effective January 1, 2026, the second stage of a phased increase that began in 2023. Insurers automatically adjusted policies at renewal, but verify your current policy reflects 35/70/25 before your next renewal date. New Jersey also requires PIP ($15,000 minimum) and UM/UIM coverage. Among major insurers, Plymouth Rock has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey at $66 per month for minimum coverage.
- 2
Understand the choice no-fault system
New Jersey is a choice no-fault state. When you purchase a policy, you select either the Limited Right to Sue option (lower premiums, restricted ability to sue for pain and suffering) or the Unlimited Right to Sue option (higher premiums, full lawsuit rights). The limited option costs less upfront, but drivers with a history of serious accidents or injuries get stronger legal protection from the unlimited option.
- 3
Low-income medicaid enrollees may qualify for dollar-a-day SAIP
New Jersey's Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) is available to low-income drivers enrolled in Medicaid. It provides $250,000 in emergency medical coverage at minimal cost. It doesn't include liability, collision or property damage coverage.
- 4
DUI drivers: Plymouth Rock leads
Plymouth Rock wins on price for car insurance after a DUI in New Jersey, at $78 per month, $12 per month less than the next-cheapest option for that profile.
- 5
Bundle for additional savings
New Jersey's required PIP and UM/UIM coverage pushes baseline premiums higher than most states. Bundling home and auto offsets some of that cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey?
Plymouth Rock offers the cheapest minimum coverage among the top-five ranked New Jersey insurers at $66 per month. GEICO offers the lowest rates for bad-credit ($85 per month) and low-income ($57 per month) drivers in the state.
What are New Jersey's minimum car insurance requirements in 2026?
New Jersey raised its minimum liability limits to 35/70/25 effective January 1, 2026: $35,000 per person for bodily injury, $70,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. New Jersey also requires $15,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. These minimums increased from 25/50/25 under a phased increase that began in 2023.
Is New Jersey a no-fault state?
New Jersey is a choice no-fault state. When purchasing a policy, you select either the Limited Right to Sue option (lower premiums, restricted ability to sue for pain and suffering) or the Unlimited Right to Sue option (higher premiums, full lawsuit rights). This choice affects both your premium and your legal options after an accident.
What is the dollar-a-day insurance program in New Jersey?
New Jersey's Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) provides $250,000 in emergency medical coverage at minimal cost for low-income drivers enrolled in Medicaid. It does not include liability, collision or property damage coverage. SAIP is designed as an entry-level option for Medicaid enrollees who would otherwise be uninsured.
Does New Jersey allow insurers to use credit scores?
Yes. New Jersey permits auto insurers to use credit scores in rate-setting. GEICO offers the lowest bad-credit rate in New Jersey at $85 per month minimum; Travelers wins the best composite score for bad credit at $103 per month.
How did New Jersey's minimum coverage change in 2026?
New Jersey increased its minimum liability limits from 25/50/25 to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026, completing the second stage of a phased increase that began in 2023. UM/UIM minimums were raised to match the new liability limits. PIP remains at $15,000. Insurers automatically adjusted coverage at policy renewal, so no action was required from policyholders.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!