What Used Cars Are the Cheapest to Insure in New Jersey?
Want to know the cheapest pre-owned vehicle to insure in New Jersey? We researched insurance quotes in the state to save you the effort!
This article covers insurance basics for the state of New Jersey and tips to save money on premiums. We also found the best insurance companies and answered frequently asked questions!
New Jersey Cheapest Used Cars to Insure
Using a basic driver profile, we assessed 45 vehicles from the 2021 production year featured in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) 2021 Top Safety Picks+ list. We found these pre-owned vehicles to be the cheapest to insure in New Jersey.
1. 2021 Crosstrek by Subaru
The cheapest used car to insure in New Jersey is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. A full-coverage policy for this four-door wagon is $163 a month, compared to the state average of $139 a month for a full-coverage policy. A liability-only plan costs $74 monthly.
The Subaru Crosstrek is on the IIHS Top Safety Pick list because of its curve-adaptive LED projector headlights with high-beam assist and optional front crash prevention features.
2. 2021 Outback by Subaru
The 2021 Subaru Outback is the second cheapest used car to insure in New Jersey. The four door wagon costs $172 a month for full coverage insurance, compared to the state average of $139 a month. A liability-only policy costs $78 monthly.
The outback earns 33 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged version of the model achieves 30 mpg when highway driving.
3. 2021 Legacy by Subaru
Finally, the third cheapest used car to insure in New Jersey is the 2021 Subaru Legacy. It costs $174 a month for full-coverage insurance for the small four-door sedan, nearly $34 more a month than the average New Jersey insurance policy costs. Liability-only insurance costs $78 a month.
The 2021 Subaru Legacy gets 27 mpg when city driving and 35 mpg on the highway.
The 45 Cheapest Used Vehicles to Insure in New Jersey
We ranked 45 vehicles from the IIHS Top Safety Pick list based on the cost of full coverage insurance, arranged in ascending order. We also provided the cost of liability-only policies.
| Year | Make | Model | Full Coverage | Liability Only |
| 2021 | Subaru | Crosstrek | $163.60 | $74.98 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Outback | $172.31 | $78.55 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Legacy | $174.14 | $78.55 |
| 2021 | Kia | Soul | $175.42 | $85.11 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Forester | $177.03 | $88.65 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-3 | $177.83 | $86.42 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-30 | $178.05 | $88.65 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Trailblazer | $180.37 | $85.11 |
| 2021 | Subaru | Ascent | $182.96 | $85.11 |
| 2021 | Hyundai | Nexo | $188.67 | $96.64 |
| 2021 | Hyundai | Palisade | $190.94 | $87.88 |
| 2021 | Honda | Insight | $191.58 | $86.42 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Camry | $196.24 | $88.87 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-5 | $196.58 | $98.41 |
| 2021 | Volkswagen | ID.4 | $199.57 | $98.41 |
| 2021 | Honda | Accord | $200.77 | $88.87 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Murano | $204.13 | $97.88 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 6 | $204.81 | $90.06 |
| 2021 | Mazda | 3 | $205.55 | $96.80 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Highlander | $205.64 | $99.36 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC40 | $207.28 | $101.81 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V60 | $208.74 | $101.81 |
| 2021 | Kia | K5 | $209.78 | $97.88 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Rogue | $210.00 | $101.81 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Altima | $211.22 | $94.74 |
| 2021 | Ford | Bronco | $211.41 | $100.21 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC90 | $211.54 | $99.36 |
| 2021 | Chrysler | Pacifica | $212.95 | $98.41 |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC60 | $214.17 | $105.76 |
| 2021 | Acura | TLX | $213.87 | $96.64 |
| 2021 | Honda | Odyssey | $215.88 | $106.05 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S60 | $217.11 | $100.93 |
| 2021 | Mazda | CX-9 | $218.66 | $105.76 |
| 2021 | Toyota | Sienna | $218.79 | $106.05 |
| 2021 | Volvo | V90 | $222.38 | $93.84 |
| 2021 | Nissan | Maxima | $222.79 | $90.06 |
| 2021 | Genesis | G70 | $225.81 | $93.84 |
| 2021 | Volvo | S90 | $226.18 | $93.84 |
| 2021 | Mitsubishi | Outlander | $232.16 | $112.84 |
| 2021 | Lexus | ES | $235.05 | $96.64 |
| 2021 | Ford | Explorer | $235.46 | $113.66 |
| 2021 | Audi | Q5 | $243.88 | $99.36 |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | GLE Class | $243.76 | $106.05 |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | C Class | $244.51 | $98.41 |
| 2021 | Audi | A6 | $282.74 | $96.64 |
Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance Costs
Liability-only coverage insurance is cheaper than full coverage. That’s because it only covers damage you may cause, while full coverage also insures your vehicle against damage resulting from external factors, such as other drivers.
Displayed in the table below are the average annual costs of car insurance in New Jersey:
| Full-coverage policy | Liability-only policy |
| $1,674 | $1,018 |
The Best New Jersey Car Insurance Companies
The three best automobile insurance companies in New Jersey are NJM Insurance, Travelers, and Farmers Insurance.
We identified which insurance companies in New Hampshire have a market share higher than 2%. We then evaluated these insurance companies using the NAIC complain index figures. Companies with lower complaint index figures indicate fewer complaints and happier claimants.
You can see all of the rankings below.
| Insurance Company | Market Share | Percent of Total Complaints | Complaint Index |
| NJM Insurance | 13.1% | N/A | 0.24 |
| Travelers | 3.63% | N/A | 0.68 |
| Farmers Insurance | 2.78% | N/A | 1.40 |
| State Farm | 7.66% | N/A | 1.42 |
| Progressive | 11.6% | N/A | 1.45 |
| Allstate Corp. | 10.48% | N/A | 1.48 |
| USAA | 3.89% | N/A | 1.73 |
| Berkshire Hathaway Inc. | 21.79% | N/A | 2.56 |
| Plymouth Rock | 7.77% | N/A | 2.81 |
| Liberty Mutual | 6.98% | N/A | 3.08 |
The Complaint Index data are national numbers from the NAIC.
Tips to Lower Insurance Premiums in New Jersey
Drivers in New Jersey can follow these tips to maximize discounts and minimize insurance premiums:
- Lower your premiums by choosing a basic plan with liability-only coverage.
- Improve your credit score to save up to $3,700 on your yearly premium.
- Compare policy options from different companies, and don’t rush your decision.
- Research policies regularly before renewing your car insurance.
Research Methodology
We used an in-state address to help drivers in New Jersey find the cheapest used vehicles to insure. This makes our information relevant and accurate for drivers in New Jersey. We applied an in-state address and a basic driver profile and input the 45 vehicles through an insurance quote generator.
Basic Driver Profile
- 35-year-old-male with a bachelor’s degree
- Single and employed full time
- Homeowner but did not bundle policies
- Owns the vehicle rather than leases or finances it
- Has been with the current insurance carrier for five or more years
We used vehicles on the IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ 2021 list. The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit organization that collects safety data for cars on the market.
We used the following limits for liability-only quotes:
- $100,000/$300,000 liability limits
- $100,000 property damage limits
- $10,000 personal injury protection
For the full-coverage quotes, we included the following coverages with the liability selections:
- $1,000 deductible on collision coverage
- $1,000 deductible for comprehensive coverage
- $50/$1,500 rental reimbursement
- $100 roadside assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest SUV to insure in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the cheapest SUV to insure is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. A full coverage policy is $163 a month.
Are older cars cheaper to insure?
Older cars are cheaper to insure because they’re cheaper to purchase, maintain, repair, and replace than new cars. Lower financial risk for the insurance company also means lower premiums for the policyholder.
However, vintage or classic cars are typically more expensive to insure, as their parts are harder to source.
How much liability insurance is required in New Jersey?
New Jersey mandates that drivers have an insurance policy with a bodily injury limit of $15,000 per person per accident, a total limit minimum of $30,000 per accident, and a minimum property damage coverage of $5,000.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in New Jersey?
The penalties for driving without insurance in New Jersey are harsh. Fines for first-time offenders range from $300 to $1,000, and the driver’s license is revoked for one year.
Second offenders face fines up to $5,000, the suspension of their license for two years, and a mandatory 14-day jail term and 30 days of community service. To reinstate their license, offenders need to submit proof of payment for any outstanding tickets and prove they have acquired insurance.
What is the basic insurance for a car?
The basic insurance for a vehicle is liability insurance. These policies provide coverage for damage caused by the insured driver. If you are leasing a car, lenders may require you have full-coverage plan with comprehensive and collision insurance.
What car has the highest insurance rates?
The most expensive cars to insure are brand-new cars from luxury makers. Manufacturing costs and expert laborers drive up the cost of insurance. Repairing and replacing these cars is costly, and that price increases the cost to insure these vehicles.
References
- (2023.) In 41 States, Drivers with Poor Credit Could Save $1,000 Plus A Year. Value Penguin. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/shopping-around-car-insurance-study
- (2023.) Defenses to Driving Without Insurance. New Jersey Traffic Law Center. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.newjerseytrafficlawcenter.com/info-guide/defenses-to-driving-without-insurance-2/
- (2023.) Consumer Insurance Complaint Indexes. NAIC. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://content.naic.org/
- (2023.) How Much is Car Insurance in New Jersey? MoneyGeek. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/average-cost-car-insurance-new-jersey/
- (2023.) 2021 Top Safety Picks. IIHS. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2021
- (2023.) Car Insurance Laws in New Jersey. Nationwide. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.nationwide.com/personal/insurance/auto/state/new-jersey/coverage/
- (2023) Suspensions and Restorations. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Retrieved April 27, 2023 from https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/license/suspension.htm
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
