New Jersey Car Insurance Requirements (2024)
Understand the ins and outs of New Jersey Car Insurance Requirements to ensure compliance and protection for your vehicle. From liability limits to personal injury protection, we break down the essential coverage needed in the garden state. Our comprehensive resources and expert advice will help you navigate the intricacies of new jersey's car insurance regulations
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
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UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 23, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Are you a New Jersey resident looking to navigate the complex world of car insurance? In this comprehensive and in-depth guide, we will explore the New Jersey Car Insurance Requirements and delve into various related topics to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex world of car insurance.
Don’t settle for subpar coverage or pay more than you need to. Enter your ZIP code now to compare rates from the best insurance providers in your area and find the perfect car insurance plan that fits your needs and budget.
Read more: What states require car insurance?
Required Coverage
All personal vehicles in New Jersey require the following liability coverage requirements:
- Property Damage
Additionally, New Jersey requires the following coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection
While the bare minimum requirements in the state are covered by a basic policy, it was created specifically with those that do not have many family responsibilities or many real assets. It’s often noted as a good policy for younger drivers who are just getting started driving and need insurance coverage.
It should be noted that under the basic policy, you automatically only have a limited right to sue for additional pain and suffering damages, but if you select at least a standard policy, you will have the option to select either an unlimited right or limited right to sue. The limited right to sue lowers your insurance premiums but also limits you from suing the at fault party for pain and suffering except if you have had one of the below injuries.
- loss of body part
- significant disfigurement or significant scarring
- a displaced fracture
- loss of a fetus
- permanent injury (Any injury shall be considered permanent when the body part or organ, or both, has not healed to function normally and will not heal to function normally with further medical
treatment based on objective medical proof.) - death
Minimum New Jersey Car Insurance Requirements | |||
---|---|---|---|
Basic Policy | |||
Property Damage Liability | $5,000 Limit | ||
Personal Injury Protection | $15,000 Limit | ||
PIP for Permanent or Significant Injury | $250,000 Limit | ||
Standard Policy | |||
Bodily Injury Liability | $15,000 / $30,000 Limit | ||
Property Damage Liability | $5,000 Limit | ||
Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury | $15,000 / $30,000 Limit | ||
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage | $5,000 Limit | ||
Personal Injury Protection | $15,000 Limit | ||
PIP for Permanent or Significant Injury | $250,000 Limit |
Additional insurance coverage can include:
- Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Comprehensive and collision coverage is a good optional insurance coverage to add to your policy to help cover the costs of damages to or replacement of your vehicle if it’s been involved in an accident. Comprehensive coverage is helpful in covering losses from such incidents as a fire or the theft of your vehicle. Check the list of most stolen vehicles in New Jersey. Having this coverage is even more important if your vehicle is listed.
Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility
Establishing proof of insurance and financial responsibility
- Get a basic liability car insurance policy
- Get a standard liability car insurance policy
- Self insurance is an available option to those individuals or companies owning more that 25 vehicles
Required Documentation
In order to provide proof of insurance, you can provide one of the following:
- Insurance ID card provided by your insurance company
- Certificate of self insurance
You must maintain proof of insurance and financial responsibility and present it:
- When asked by a police officer
- Before a car inspection
- When involved in an accident
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility Penalties
If you are unable to show proof of insurance when asked by a police officer, you can face one of the following penalties:
- Fines of at least $300
- Community service
- Time in jail
- License suspension
- Insurance surcharge
New Jersey Insurance Agents
Newark Car Insurance | Jersey City Car Insurance | Paterson Car Insurance | Elizabeth Car Insurance | Clifton Car Insurance | Trenton Car Insurance | Camden Car Insurance | Passaic Car Insurance | Union City Car Insurance | Bayonne Car Insurance | East Orange Car Insurance | Vineland Car Insurance | New Brunswick Car Insurance | Hoboken Car Insurance | West New York Car Insurance | Perth Amboy Car Insurance | Plainfield Car Insurance | Sayreville Car Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to purchase additional coverage beyond the minimum requirements?
While New Jersey only requires drivers to carry the minimum amount of liability coverage, it may be wise to purchase additional coverage to protect yourself financially in the event of an accident. Additional coverage options may include collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Is it mandatory to have car insurance in New Jersey?
Yes, it is mandatory to have car insurance in New Jersey for all registered vehicles. New Jersey requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers damages that a driver may cause to another person or their property while driving. The minimum liability coverage required in New Jersey is $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage.
What happens if I am caught driving without insurance in New Jersey?
Driving without insurance in New Jersey can result in fines, suspension of your driver’s license, and even impoundment of your vehicle.
Can I purchase car insurance from any provider in New Jersey?
Yes, it is mandatory to have car insurance in New Jersey. The state’s mandatory car insurance law requires all drivers to have liability insurance, which covers damages and injuries to other drivers and their property if you are at fault in an accident.
Can I cancel my car insurance policy at any time in New Jersey?
Yes, you can cancel your car insurance policy at any time in New Jersey. However, you may be subject to penalties or fees if you cancel before the end of your policy term.
Will my car insurance rates go up if I am involved in an accident in New Jersey?
Your car insurance rates may go up if you are involved in an accident in New Jersey, especially if you are found to be at fault for the accident.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.