Updated April 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Drivers with DUI convictions, multiple at-fault accidents, uninsured driving citations, or license suspensions typically must file SR-22 proof of insurance with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The SR-22 filing period typically runs 3 years from the violation date, and any lapse in coverage during this period restarts the requirement.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New Jersey?
High-risk auto insurance premiums in New Jersey are driven by violation type, years since the incident, location, and carrier appetite for non-standard risk. A DUI conviction typically increases rates by 70–150% over clean-record premiums, while at-fault accidents and suspended license reinstatements add 40–90%. Urban areas like Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City carry higher base rates due to accident frequency and theft rates, compounding the high-risk surcharge.
What Affects Your Rate
- Violation type: DUI increases rates 70–150%, reckless driving 50–90%, at-fault accidents 40–70%
- Years since violation: rates drop 15–25% each year after the first year post-violation
- Location: Newark, Paterson, and Jersey City average 20–35% higher premiums than suburban counties due to accident density
- SR-22 filing requirement: adds $100–$250/mo to base premium for 3 years
- Carrier type: non-standard insurers price high-risk profiles 20–40% lower than standard market declinations
- Coverage level: full coverage costs 30–50% more than liability-only for the same high-risk profile
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Sources
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission — SR-22 and Financial Responsibility Requirements
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance — Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Standards
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners — High-Risk Auto Insurance Market Data