HomeAuto InsuranceNew Jersey › State minimum

Minimum Car Insurance Required in New Jersey

The minimum car insurance required in New Jersey, penalties for driving uninsured, and whether the state minimum is enough coverage.

Short answer: New Jersey sets a legal minimum liability limit to drive; it covers damage you cause to others, not your own car or injuries.
Updated August 2026

The New Jersey state minimum is 35/70/25 ($35k bodily injury per person, $70k per accident, $25k property damage).

These limits exist to cover damage you cause to other people — they do not repair your own car or cover your own injuries. New Jersey is a no-fault state, so your own PIP pays your medical bills regardless of fault.

Driving without at least the required coverage in New Jersey can mean fines, license/registration suspension, reinstatement fees and SR-22 filing — and if you cause a crash while uninsured you are personally liable for the damage.

Because the minimum is only a floor, many New Jersey drivers step up to 100/300/100 and add collision/comprehensive if their car has value. The average New Jersey driver pays about $1,573/yr (NAIC, 2023). Verify the current limits directly with the New Jersey Department of Insurance before relying on them — laws change. New Jersey Dept. of Insurance →

New Jersey minimum car insurance FAQ

What is the minimum car insurance required in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires at least 35/70/25: $35k bodily injury per person, $70k per accident and $25k property damage. Minimums are the legal floor, not necessarily enough coverage.

What happens if I drive without insurance in New Jersey?

Penalties can include fines, suspension of your license and registration, reinstatement fees and an SR-22 requirement — plus personal liability for any crash you cause.

Is the state minimum enough coverage in New Jersey?

It is the legal minimum, not a recommendation. A single serious accident can exceed these limits, leaving you to pay the difference, so many drivers carry higher liability and add collision/comprehensive.

CR
Written by the CompareRatesHQ Editorial Team. Our editors research insurance requirements and rates against public sources (state Departments of Insurance, NAIC, U.S. Census, FEMA) and label all figures as estimates. See our editorial policy.
Updated August 2026

← Back to New Jersey car insurance

Compare quotes & saveGet free quotes