Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey


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Key Takeaways

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Most insurers don’t offer true short-term policies. Buying a six-month policy and canceling early is the most practical workaround.

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The average cost of a three-month car insurance policy in New Jersey is approximately $321 for minimum coverage and $540 for full coverage. Canceling early adjusts costs based on your coverage period.

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If you need temporary coverage in New Jersey but don’t own a car, non-owner car insurance can offer a flexible and convenient solution. If you rent a car, rental insurance can be another option.

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Can You Get Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey?

Shopping for temporary car insurance in New Jersey can feel frustrating since most major insurers don't offer true short-term policies. Here's how to work around this limitation.

If you own a car, you can buy a standard car insurance policy and cancel it early once you no longer need it. If you don’t own a car, options like non-owner or rental car insurance can provide the short-term protection you need.

Cheap Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey

If you're focused on finding the most affordable option, MoneyGeek analyzed rates for one-, three- and six-month car insurance policies in New Jersey. Plymouth Rock insurance offers the lowest average price for a 90-day policy at $201. 

Our estimates assume you purchase a standard car insurance policy and cancel it early. Most insurers don’t charge cancellation fees and will likely refund any unused premium. You can see a breakdown of temporary coverage rates by insurer in the table below.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Coverage:State Minimum Liability Only
Plymouth Rock Insurance$67$201$403
Selective Insurance$68$204$407
NJM Insurance$74$222$445
Geico$82$245$490
Amica$84$252$503
Farmers$99$298$596
Travelers$103$309$618
Progressive$107$321$642
Allstate$125$376$752
Mercury Insurance$134$402$804
State Farm$135$405$810
AIG$136$408$817

Short-Term Car Insurance in New Jersey: Buyer's Guide

No single New Jersey temporary car insurance solution works for everyone. There are several flexible insurance solutions for temporary coverage needs. The key is matching the right option to your specific situation:

Buying a Six-Month Policy and Cancel It Early

Most insurers in New Jersey don’t offer policies shorter than six months, but you can still get temporary coverage by purchasing a standard policy and canceling it early. A six-month minimum coverage policy costs about $642 on average, while canceling after 90 days brings the cost down to around $321. 

Many insurers will refund unused premium months, especially if there’s no cancellation fee. Just be sure to avoid any gaps in coverage, as even a short lapse could lead to higher rates in the future.

Average Cost of Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey
Minimum Coverage$107$321$642
Full Coverage$180$540$1,080
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CAN I GET A CAR INSURANCE DISCOUNT FOR MY CHILD?

If your child attends school less than 100 miles from your home, you'll still be able to save money by shopping around. We compared different insurance providers to help you find the cheapest insurance companies for teens in New Jersey.

Altering New Jersey Car Insurance Temporarily Depending on Your Needs

If you already have a car insurance policy in New Jersey and only need short-term changes, it's probably easier to adjust your existing coverage rather than purchase a new policy. It’s a practical way to stay covered when your driving situation changes for a short period. These adjustments can help you save money and avoid the hassle of canceling and restarting coverage.

When You Should Alter Your Policy Temporarily

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If your child is attending school elsewhere in New Jersey, you can temporarily remove them from your policy or ask for a discount.

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If you plan to keep your car in storage, you can save money by canceling all coverages except comprehensive insurance. Military personnel can also take advantage of USAA's car storage discounts.

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If you let someone else drive your car, you should only add them to your insurance policy if they drive it regularly.

What to Do About Car Insurance if You’re Storing Your Car in New Jersey

If you’re putting your car in storage for a while, you can lower your insurance costs by switching to a comprehensive-only policy or asking your insurer about storage discounts. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-driving risks like theft, vandalism or weather damage, without the added cost of liability insurance.

In New Jersey, a comprehensive and collision policy with a $1,000 deductible costs about $387 per year on average, compared to $1,404 for a full policy that includes liability coverage.

What to Do If You Let Someone Else Drive Your Car

If a member of your household drives your car, they must be insured on your policy. If you let someone from outside your household drive your car, they will be automatically covered by your policy without you needing to make any modifications to your coverage.

Buying Non-Owner Car Insurance in New Jersey

Non-owner car insurance is a good option for drivers who don’t own a car but need to provide proof of insurance to reinstate their license. Non-owner car insurance in New Jersey costs an average of $173 per month for minimum coverage and $211 for full coverage.  For people in New Jersey who don’t own a vehicle but drive regularly, non-owner insurance can be the most cost-effective option.

Full Coverage$211$633$1,266
Minimum Coverage$173$519$1,038

This coverage is particularly valuable for international drivers visiting New Jersey, college students who drive occasionally when home or anyone who regularly borrows cars from friends or family. Non-owner insurance provides liability protection and often includes uninsured motorist coverage, giving you peace of mind when driving borrowed or rental vehicles.

Buying Rental Car Insurance in New Jersey

If you're renting a car in New Jersey, you can buy insurance directly from the rental company, with daily average costs ranging from $59 to $70. Most companies include basic liability and offer optional add-ons like collision damage waivers and personal accident coverage. 

You may not need extra coverage if you already have car insurance or a credit card that includes rental protection. To avoid unnecessary costs, check your existing coverage before buying anything additional.

Company
Total Insurance Cost
Supplemental Liability Cost
Collision Damage Waiver Cost
Personal Accident Insurance Cost

Enterprise

$70

$13

$51

$6

Avis

$59

$18

$31

$10

Hertz

$60

$19

$34

$7

Get Temporary Car Insurance for Rideshare in New Jersey

New Jersey rideshare drivers may be aware that they’re covered by insurance when they accept fares or travel with passengers. However, there is a temporary coverage gap when drivers don’t have a fare. Rideshare insurance can be useful in this situation. However, ridesharing insurance doesn’t exist in all states.

We compared the coverages offered by different insurance companies for this type of policy to help you find the best rideshare insurance in New Jersey.

Temporary Auto Insurance in New Jersey: Bottom Line

In New Jersey, obtaining temporary car insurance typically involves purchasing a standard six-month policy and canceling it early, with companies like Plymouth Rock Insurance offering one-month coverage for approximately $67. Alternatively, non-owner or rental car insurance can provide short-term solutions. In this article, we discussed these options to help you choose the best temporary coverage for your needs.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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Short-Term Auto Insurance in New Jersey: FAQ

Need quick answers about temporary car insurance in New Jersey? Here are the most common questions we hear from drivers.

Can you get temporary car insurance in New Jersey?

Can I usually get a refund if I cancel my car insurance before six months?

Does canceling a policy early affect my driving record or credit?

What’s the best option if I don’t own a car but need insurance temporarily?

Does my New Jersey auto insurance cover rental cars?

Is it legal to drive in New Jersey without car insurance?

Can I pay for car insurance monthly instead of every six months?

What's the difference between monthly car insurance and temporary coverage?

Are there fees for monthly car insurance payments?

Cost of Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey: Our Review Methodology

Finding short-term car insurance in New Jersey feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Most companies don't offer it, and the ones that do charge premium prices. We designed our research to help you understand your real options and costs when you need coverage for just a few days, weeks or months.

Our Research Approach

We gathered 240 car insurance quotes from five providers that offer temporary coverage options in New Jersey, using data from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and Quadrant Information Services. Rather than relying on advertised rates, we collected actual quote data to show you what you'd really pay.

Why This Sample Driver Profile Matters

Our analysis used a 40-year-old male with a clean driving record and good credit who drives 12,000 miles annually in a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. This profile represents the average New Jersey driver seeking temporary coverage: someone between permanent policies, visiting family, or needing short-term protection.

Coverage Levels We Compared

Full Coverage Analysis included:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductible

Non-Owner Car Insurance Analysis used New Jersey's minimum coverage requirements:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP) per person

What This Means for Your Decision

These coverage levels matter because temporary doesn't mean cheap protection. The difference between minimum and full coverage can be $75 per month or more, but full coverage protects you from paying thousands out of pocket if you cause an accident during your short-term period.

Our methodology focuses on non-owner policies because they're often the most practical temporary solution for New Jersey drivers who don't own a vehicle but need occasional coverage.

Learn more about MoneyGeek's car insurance methodology.

Car Insurance in New Jersey: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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