Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in New Jersey will find the lowest rates from NJM, Plymouth Rock Assurance and Travelers. Among these, NJM provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,820 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you’ll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain 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?

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.

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 high-risk for insurance 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.

Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey with 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.

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

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.

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

Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey with a reckless driving conviction

NJM offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,732 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with 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

Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey with bad credit

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.

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

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in New Jersey

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 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

Cheapest car insurance in New Jersey by city

In New Jersey, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Allenhurst, averaging $3,137 annually. On the other hand, Fairview has the highest rates at $4,370 a 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 to reduce car insurance rates in New Jersey for a bad driving record

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

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.

  • 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

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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
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