New Jersey Auto Insurance Agents

If you live in New Jersey and are searching for a highly qualified auto insurance agent to assist you in putting together a comprehensive, yet affordable policy, look no further!

New Jersey Auto Insurance agents are fully qualified professionals whose job is to make buying auto insurance easy and enjoyable for their customers. They are also able to compare coverage and prices from many different sources- including most of the leading, well-respected insurance companies in the country. This allows them to formulate the right auto insurance policy for each individual client in terms of coverage and cost.

By knowing what to ask and thoughtfully listening to your questions and concerns, a good agent can put together a policy which is just right for you- one that protects you and your property as well as your assets. A trusted professional agent will stand by you when you have to submit a claim and will work hard to ensure that your policy is up-to-date and continues to meet your needs and personal situation. Circumstances can change over time and it is the business of a good agent to adapt your policy to any such changes.

If you would like to receive a quote from a qualified agent, please use our Agent Locator. It offers an extensive list of professional agents in your local area.

Compare Auto Insurance in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) is the state agency which oversees and upholds consumer protection laws dealing with insurance. As a New Jersey resident, these consumer laws afford you certain rights when it comes to auto insurance. There are four basic tenets which protect consumers:

• Whenever you request auto insurance quotes, agents have up to 5 days to fulfill that request. This keeps agents from delaying your purchase of auto insurance.
• If you are denied auto insurance coverage, the insurance company must give you the reason for the denial in writing.
• Agents are required to provide you with three different coverage options, known as Insurance Scenarios. This applies whether you are already insured and just want more information as well as when you are looking for new coverage.
• You are allowed to change policies and coverage amounts at any time during the life of your policy. If you reduce the cost of your premium, you are allowed a refund on the difference. Be sure to request this refund.

If you are deemed responsible for an auto accident which results in injury to another person or persons, bodily injury liability coverage provides funds for accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Car insurance comes in two types in the State of New Jersey: Standard Auto Insurance and Basic Auto Insurance. Standard is the most popular and contains the following minimum amounts as required by law:

• $15,000 total for bodily injury coverage, per person
• $30,000 total for bodily injury coverage, per accident
• $5,000 total for property damage, per accident
• $15,000 total Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This insurance coverage protects you when you are involved in an accident, no matter who is at fault. It pays a portion of the costs such as accident-related medical expenses and lost wages.

New Jersey also mandates that all drivers carry both Uninsured Motorist coverage and Underinsured Motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist covers your own bodily injuries if you are the victim of a hit-and-run or are hit by a driver who is at fault but has no insurance. Underinsured motorist pays the difference between the uninsured motorist coverage and the at-fault driver's liability coverage. The minimum coverage amounts for each are:

• $20,000 total, per person
• $40,000 total, per accident

It's important to remember that these amounts are strictly the minimum which the State of New Jersey requires to maintain legal coverage. Many times, these minimum numbers are woefully inadequate to fully cover damages which occur in an accident for which you are found legally responsible. To avoid having to pay the cost difference out-of-pocket, you may want to consider choosing higher amounts of insurance coverage when you purchase your own policy.

Your auto insurance agent is a knowledgeable and trusted source for information regarding your state's minimum requirements. Your agent can also offer sound and practical advice when it comes to selecting other types of auto insurance coverage to protect yourself financially. These may include Collision Coverage or Comprehensive Coverage, for example.

For answers to any other questions, please contact:

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance

Tips to saving money on your insurance premiums

• Maintain a clean driving record. This can add up to big savings when buying auto insurance.
• If you have a teenage driver in the family, ask about a good student discount.
• Raise your deductible. Remember, the higher your deductible, the lower the cost.
• If you're purchasing a new vehicle, get an insurance quote before you buy. Insurance prices can vary dramatically depending on the make and model of the car you purchase.
• Bundle your insurance policies. Purchasing life, home, auto and other insurance policies from one company can earn you up to 10% off the total cost of your premiums.
• Improve your credit score. Many insurance companies use your credit score to determine the amount of your premium. Before applying for insurance, obtain copies of your personal credit report from the three major credit bureaus and check them for accuracy. Report any errors or out-of-date information directly to the reporting bureau.

By taking advantage of these money-saving tips and working with a professional insurance agent, you can be confident that you are getting the lowest possible rate on your auto insurance policy!