Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in New Jersey

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for a bad driving record?

NJM, Plymouth Rock Assurance, Travelers are the cheapest options. NJM has the lowest annual rate at $1,820 per year.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
NJM	$1,318	$1,820
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,570
Travelers	$1,706	$2,791
Progressive	$2,187	$3,081
GEICO	$1,563	$3,170
Allstate	$2,294	$3,453
Farmers	$2,254	$4,173
State Farm	$2,153	$6,271

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How much is high-risk car insurance in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $3,399 per year. However, you may secure coverage from NJM for as low as $1,820 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in New Jersey, NJ is $3,449

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
NJM	$1,318	$1,430
GEICO	$1,563	$2,197
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,573
Travelers	$1,706	$2,965
State Farm	$2,153	$3,586
Progressive	$2,187	$3,730
Farmers	$2,254	$4,984
Allstate	$2,294	$5,169

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in New Jersey?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, NJM offers the most affordable rate at $1,732 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in New Jersey for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
NJM	$1,318	$1,732
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,141
Progressive	$2,187	$2,654
Travelers	$1,706	$2,738
GEICO	$1,563	$3,171
Allstate	$2,294	$3,439
Farmers	$2,254	$4,399
State Farm	$2,153	$8,623

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Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, NJM offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,732 per year or $144 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in New Jersey how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
NJM	$1,318	$1,732
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,201
Travelers	$1,706	$2,486
Progressive	$2,187	$2,960
Allstate	$2,294	$3,264
Farmers	$2,254	$3,863
State Farm	$2,153	$4,395

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in New Jersey?

NJM has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,732 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
NJM	$1,318	$1,732
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,460
GEICO	$1,563	$2,684
Travelers	$1,706	$2,738
Allstate	$2,294	$3,280
Progressive	$2,187	$3,298
Farmers	$2,254	$4,578
State Farm	$2,153	$4,983

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, NJM provides the lowest premiums for drivers with poor credit, averaging $2,259 per year or $188 per month. Even with a low credit score, you can still find affordable auto insurance.

While your credit score doesn't reflect your driving ability, it can impact your car insurance rates and place you in a higher-risk category. Insurers view lower credit scores as an indicator of increased risk based on statistics showing that these drivers are more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in New Jersey.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
NJM	$1,318	$2,259
Progressive	$2,187	$3,650
GEICO	$1,563	$3,655
Travelers	$1,706	$3,816
Allstate	$2,294	$4,212
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$4,216
Farmers	$2,254	$4,472
State Farm	$2,153	$8,957

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey after an accident?

NJM has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,430 a year. GEICO also has affordable rates at $2,197 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record typically pay higher insurance rates than those with a clean record. While car insurance rates may increase after one accident, multiple accidents can increase rates even more.

This table shows rates for drivers with a clean record, one at-fault accident and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
NJM	$1,318	$1,430	$2,025
GEICO	$1,563	$2,197	$2,684
Plymouth Rock Assurance	$1,737	$2,573	$3,433
Travelers	$1,706	$2,892	$4,422
State Farm	$2,153	$3,586	$6,564
Progressive	$2,187	$3,730	$5,141
Farmers	$2,254	$4,984	$9,860
Allstate	$2,294	$5,169	$5,964

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in New Jersey?

Allenhurst has the cheapest car insurance rates in New Jersey, averaging $3,137 a year. However, the most expensive city is Fairview, with average insurance rates of $4,370 annually.

Where you live in New Jersey also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Allenhurst	$1,784	$3,137
Matawan	$1,868	$3,284
East Brunswick	$1,878	$3,317
Pleasantville	$2,026	$3,574
Trenton	$2,138	$3,921
Bloomfield	$2,193	$3,930
Hoboken	$2,308	$4,101
Jersey City	$2,331	$4,168
Clifton	$2,344	$4,250
Garfield	$2,371	$4,310
Fairview	$2,511	$4,370

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in New Jersey?

Finding affordable car insurance in New Jersey is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in New Jersey?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: