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New Jersey Minimum Car Insurance and Penalties for Driving Without It
The short answer
New Jersey requires either a standard policy with liability of at least $35,000/$70,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a basic policy with $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $5,000 property damage liability, where $10,000 bodily injury liability is only optional.
New Jersey at a glance
| Minimum liability | New Jersey requires either a standard policy with liability of at least $35,000/$70,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a basic policy with $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $5,000 property damage liability, where $10,000 bodily injury liability is only optional. |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | A standard policy must include personal injury protection (PIP) with at least $15,000 in medical expense coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at least equal to the liability minimums. A basic policy includes $15,000 PIP but no uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. |
| First offense for driving uninsured | A first offense carries a fine of $300 to $1,000, community service set by the court, and a one-year suspension of your driving privileges, which can be reduced or eliminated if you show proof of insurance at the hearing. The MVC also bills a $250 insurance surcharge each year for three years ($750 total). |
| Repeat offense | A second or later offense carries a fine of up to $5,000, 14 days in jail, 30 days of community service, and loss of driving privileges for two years; after that, getting a license back is at the discretion of the MVC Chief Administrator. |
| Fee to restore after a lapse | $100 restoration fee for each privilege affected (driving and registration), plus the $250 yearly surcharge for three years. |
Penalties depend on the court and your record; your citation or notice decides what applies to you.
FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires either a standard policy with liability of at least $35,000/$70,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a basic policy with $15,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $5,000 property damage liability, where $10,000 bodily injury liability is only optional.
What happens if you drive without insurance in New Jersey?
A first offense carries a fine of $300 to $1,000, community service set by the court, and a one-year suspension of your driving privileges, which can be reduced or eliminated if you show proof of insurance at the hearing. The MVC also bills a $250 insurance surcharge each year for three years ($750 total).