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

NJM offers the cheapest average rate in New Jersey for drivers with a poor driving record at $1,820 per year. Plymouth Rock Assurance and Travelers also rank among the more affordable insurers for high-risk drivers.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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

The average cost of high-risk car insurance in New Jersey is $3,399 per year. Depending on your driving history and insurer, you may be able to find rates as low as $1,820 annually.

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 one in a school zone, will increase 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.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in New Jersey, NJ is $3,449
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
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?

NJM offers the cheapest average rates after a DUI in New Jersey 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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

What is the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey with multiple tickets?

NJM is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $1,732 a year or $144 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

This table shows New Jersey drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

tip iconExpert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on your insurance than one major violation.

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

NJM has the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in New Jersey at $1,732 per year. Reckless driving convictions often result in substantial premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. increases and fewer coverage options.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

tip iconExpert's 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?

The cheapest New Jersey insurer for bad credit is NJM, with rates averaging $2,259 per year or $188 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects New Jersey car insurance.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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

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

NJM has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in New Jersey at $1,430 per year. GEICO also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

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

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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

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

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

Allenhurst has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in New Jersey at $3,137 annually. In comparison, Fairview has the highest average premiums at $4,370 per year.

Where you live in New Jersey matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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

High-risk drivers in New Jersey can reduce insurance costs by comparing quotes and avoiding additional violations. Many insurers reward safer driving habits over time with lower premiums.

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.
  • Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for completing the class, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing it.
  • 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 New Jersey 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

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170+

insurance companies analyzed

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34,000+

ZIP codes examined

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$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:

  • Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
  • Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
  • Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • A clean driving record
  • 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

  • DUI
  • Reckless driving
  • Multiple speeding tickets
  • Bad credit
  • One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in New Jersey

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in New Jersey?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.

Yes, your rates should decrease over time if you avoid additional tickets, accidents or claims.

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