More than one million drivers in New Jersey affected by new car insurance laws
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
New Jersey has historically had one of the lowest minimum car insurance requirements in the country. In August 2022, the New Jersey Legislature approved a bill to increase the minimum coverage limits in two phases, meaning New Jersey drivers will have more financial protection behind the wheel, but at an added cost to already-high average premiums. Bankrate explains what is happening to New Jersey’s car insurance requirements and how these changes will affect New Jersey drivers.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
- New Jersey’s minimum car insurance limits will increase in two phases: first in January 2023 and then again in January 2026.
- Estimates of the expected premium increase for affected drivers range from $99 to $200 per year per vehicle.
- Approximately 1.1 million to 1.2 million vehicles will be affected by this change, which accounts for 22 to 30 percent of New Jersey policyholders.
New Jersey’s current minimum coverage limits
A plan to increase NJ liability insurance was approved in August 2022 and will take place in two phases. The first phase was effective on January 1, 2023, and the second phase will take effect on January 1, 2026.
It is important to note that New Jersey has two minimum car insurance coverage options, a basic and a standard policy. A representative from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) told Bankrate that “[t]he changes in the law apply to standard policies; the law does not apply to basic policies. There are 53,000 basic auto insurance policies in New Jersey.” Drivers who choose the basic car insurance option will not see any changes to their coverage. The changes will only apply to drivers carrying the standard minimum car insurance coverage.
| Coverage type | Prior standard minimum limits | 2023 standard minimum limits | 2026 standard minimum limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $15,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $30,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 |
| Property damage liability (per accident) | $5,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Personal injury projection | $15,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury (per person) | $15,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury (per accident) | $30,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 |
| Underinsured motorist bodily injury (per person) | $15,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Underinsured motorist bodily injury (per accident) | $30,000 | $50,000 | $70,000 |
Why the minimum coverage limits are changing
With car insurance rates already increasing, why is New Jersey changing its minimum car insurance limits and further driving up costs? New Jersey’s minimum liability insurance was previously among the lowest in the country, although the state did require more coverage types than many other states. Mark Friedlander, Director of Corporate Communications at the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), noted that:
New Jersey liability limits have not been raised since 1972…an increase to the state’s liability minimum requirements is well past due.
He also noted that prior limits may be insufficient to cover accidents based on average claim cost data, and that the increase in limits was “broadly supported by the insurance industry.” As vehicle and medical costs increase, minimum car insurance limits offer less coverage than ever before, causing more financial risk to policyholders.
However, not all industry experts support the approved changes. While the 2023 changes better align New Jersey’s minimum coverage limits with other states, expert opinions are not as favorable toward the 2026 changes.
Friedlander said that Triple-I supports the initial minimum limit increase in 2023 but opposes the second phase. “According to estimates from New Jersey auto insurers,” he said, “approximately 75 percent of all bodily injury liability claims and more than 90 percent of all property damage liability claims could be settled at or below the new Jan. 1, 2023 limits.” The Triple-I feels that:
The 2026 increase is not justified by average industry loss data and is out of step with the rest of the country.
Friedlander said the second coverage increase “will only result in increased premiums for drivers, likely leading some to forego insurance coverage.”
Effects on New Jersey drivers
Industry experts estimate that the minimum limit changes will affect between 22 and 30 percent of New Jersey drivers. According to a representative from the NJ DOBI, “1.1 million to 1.2 million vehicles have the current minimum coverage,” referring to the limits prior to 2023, and will see their limits increase with the new law. The second phase will likely affect more drivers since it increases limits even further.
When questioned about the impact on premiums, the experts estimated increases from $99 to $200 per year per vehicle for the first phase of changes. However, the cost of car insurance is highly personalized and depends on a number of underlying factors, including your driving history, the age of the drivers on your policy, the type of car you drive and the optional coverage selections you choose. If you are affected by the minimum coverage changes, your premium impact could be higher or lower than the estimates.
Regarding the timing of the changes, the new minimum limits will be effective on January 1 of either 2023 or 2026 (depending on the phase) for new policies and at the next renewal for existing policies. This means that, if you’re buying a new policy on or after the January 1 date and you want minimum coverage, you’ll have to purchase the higher limit. Existing minimum coverage policies will transition to the new limit at their renewal date. If you have a current minimum coverage policy that renews in June of each year, you will still have the lower limits until your next June renewal date, when the limits will increase to meet the limits set forth by the new law.
Drivers may still need more coverage
Even with the higher required limits, drivers may find that minimum limits still do not provide sufficient financial protection. Inflation rose rapidly in 2022 and still has not normalized, which means claims are costing more. Unfortunately, this could mean that inflation is leaving drivers underinsured. If you’re unsure if your coverage is enough to protect your finances, talk to an insurance agent about your current situation.
How to offset increased costs
If you find yourself being affected by a premium increase, whether due to the law changes or inflation, there are steps you can take to potentially save money on car insurance:
- Compare quotes: Shopping around and comparing quotes from several companies is one of the best ways to find a competitive price. Every company has a different rating method, which means premiums will vary even for the same coverage.
- Utilize discounts: Most car insurance companies offer at least a few discounts that could help you lower your bill. Common savings opportunities include bundling your auto and home insurance, opting for paperless statements or taking part in a telematics program.
- Drive safely: Accidents and tickets increase car insurance rates substantially, so maintaining a clean driving record can help keep your premium down over time. You may even earn an additional safe-driver discount.
Insurance industry experts weigh in
“The resulting back-to-back premium increases could lead to a much higher uninsured motorist rate in the Garden State, which will have a negative impact on every driver. We disagree that a second phase increase (Jan. 1, 2026) was necessary.”
— Mark FriedlanderDirector of Corporate Communications at the Insurance Information Institute
“With inflation reaching a 40-year high and the cost of everything skyrocketing, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) has been concerned with the potential cost increases associated with this new law, particularly for those who are on a fixed income and may now be forced to choose between paying for basic necessities such as gas, rent, groceries, etc. or insurance. Some consumers may have no choice but to opt to forego insurance altogether, a result which would be in no one’s best interest and could raise the uninsured rate in New Jersey — currently the lowest in the nation at 3.1 percent.”
— Alison CooperVice President of State Government Relations for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association
The bottom line
New Jersey’s minimum car insurance coverage limits prior to 2023 were among the lowest in the country and may not have been sufficient to cover average claims costs. Increasing the minimum limits could help solve this issue but will also likely increase premiums for a state with an already higher-than-average cost of insurance. This may cause some drivers to opt out of coverage altogether. Additionally, even the new minimum limits may not provide enough financial protection for all drivers. Will New Jersey’s new minimum coverage limit solve one problem only to create another?
Related Articles
