Car Insurance New Jersey

Moving to New Jersey? You would either be really well prepared, or lost among all the matters that require your attention. At CoverHound, we know that moving out of state can be a hassle, so we have prepared for you some useful information about auto insurance in New Jersey.

State Minimum

A common misconception about auto insurance minimum coverage is that, it is the same for all states. That is not true. Auto insurance in New Jersey requires you to have a minimum liability coverage of $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage to protect yourselves from lawsuits. It is a benefit to understand what are the changes to your minimum coverage when moving states.

SR22

SR22 is a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR) - isn’t a type of car insurance, but a verification that you’re maintaining car insurance liability coverage. You would be required to possess a SR22 if you are caught driving without insurance, driving under influence (DUI), committing repeat traffic offenses or if you get too many tickets within a short period of time.

It is also important to check if your current SR22 is valid in NJ. It may be waived because you have met regulations enforced by the state that you were previously in, and an affidavit is most commonly required in order to get the waiver. However, you may also be required to receive a new SR22 based upon New Jersey’s financial responsibility laws.

Personal Injury Protection

Auto insurance in New Jersey requires policyholders to have $15,000 coverage for PIP. The $15,000 PIP only covers the Named Insured, but speak to your insurance agents if you wish to purchase PIP for your passengers.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is required in New Jersey. You are required to have a minimum of $15,000/$30,000 for uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury and $5,000 for uninsured motorist property damage. Accidents happen when you least expect it, but with the right coverage, you will be protected.

No Fault State

New Jersey is one of the twelve states that are “no fault states”. So what is a no fault state? It means that in an accident, none of the parties involved will be at fault. Your automobile insurer will pay the medical bills for you and your companions independent of who was at fault for the accident.

However, New Jersey has a “choice” in the no-fault law. Motorists may reject the lawsuit threshold and retain the right to sue for any auto-related injury, as stated by Insurance Information Institute.

Other Useful Tips

When moving states, it is important to make sure that you are continuously insured. Cancel your auto insurance only after you have obtained new coverage in New Jersey. It is also important to ensure that your current auto insurance is valid in NJ and most states have up to 90 days for you to register your vehicle.

If you have existing tickets, DUIs and claims in the last 5 years, it is important to be honest with the insurance agents when purchasing a new policy. Unfortunately, moving states does not grant you a clean slate as your driving history is tagged to you even after you have moved to New Jersey.

The complexity of the insurance industry can really be mind boggling but at CoverHound, our dedicated agents are here to guide you through this process.