Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey (2024)

GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive are the cheapest temporary car insurance companies in New Jersey.

A.M. Steinbach
Written byA.M. Steinbach
A.M. Steinbach
A.M. SteinbachInsurance Writer
  • Full-time writer for 5+ years

  • Two-time Emmy Award nominee

A Harvard graduate, Mark has worked as a freelance personal finance and tech writer. He’s also written for Saturday Night Live.

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Updated December 11, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates in New Jersey

Drivers in and around New Jersey have found policies from CSAA, Mercury, State Farm, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from New Jersey within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from New Jersey within the last 10 days. Last updated on December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from December 11, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Some New Jersey drivers may only need temporary car insurance in certain situations, such as for a quick weekend trip or a weeklong business trip.

A standard car insurance policy typically lasts six to 12 months. New Jersey drivers pay average rates of $127 per month for standard liability and $212 for full-coverage car insurance, which exceeds the national averages of $105 for liability and $202 for full coverage.

Here’s what you need to know about your temporary car insurance options in New Jersey.

Quick Facts
  • Popular pay-per-mile and usage-based options, like Hugo and Mile Auto, aren’t available in New Jersey.

  • One way to get temporary car insurance is by canceling a standard policy early, which most insurers allow. But you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

  • Some low-income drivers in New Jersey can qualify for the state’s Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) program, which costs $365 per year, or $1 per day.

Best temporary car insurance in New Jersey

Most New Jersey auto insurers don’t offer temporary car insurance with terms of less than six months, but you still have options. Many insurers will let you cancel your standard policy early without a fee.

Here are three of the best short-term car insurance coverage options in New Jersey.

GEICO: Best for overall value

User Reviews
4.0
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$108/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$171/mo
4.0
Best choiceBased on 10384 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO

Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (5,706)

Sarah

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

Don't Choose Any Other Company But These Guys

I've been with GEICO for over 10 years. I once called them to remove my ex-husband from my policy. They removed his truck, but not him as a driver. Later, he got a DUI and I was the one who was penalized. If I could've given negative stars, I would have. I used to recommend GEICO to all my friends, but not anymore.

Ladeana

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

The agents are always very pleasant and helpful. However, I've been struggling to pay due to a recent price increase.

The agents are always very pleasant and helpful. However, I've been struggling to pay due to a recent price increase.

Mamie

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

Go Geico for Great Work!

They are considerate, confidential, and they get the job done.
See all GEICO reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

GEICO offers some of the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey. Canceling a standard policy early is one way to get temporary car insurance. Fortunately, GEICO won’t charge a cancellation fee if you decide to end your policy early.[1]

GEICO also offers non-owner car insurance, which is a useful option for drivers who need car insurance on a temporary basis.

Pros
  • Low rates

  • Offers non-owner insurance

Cons
  • No pay-per-mile insurance option

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in New Jersey

State Farm: Best for non-owner insurance

User Reviews
4.1
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$198/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$315/mo
4.1
Best choiceBased on 9165 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (5,036)

Charles D

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Not Good, That's for Sure

Your prices are way too high.

Donna

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Every year when I receive my statement, I call and inquire if there are any ways I can get it for less. So far, every year they have found some type of discount that I wasn't aware of, and I really appreciate that about them. When I call the office, no matter who I speak to, they are knowledgeable about the business and know what to do. They are always pleasant and welcoming.

Every year when I receive my statement, I call and inquire if there are any ways I can get it for less. So far, every year they have found some type of discount that I wasn't aware of, and I really appreciate that about them. When I call the office, no matter who I speak to, they are knowledgeable about the business and know what to do. They are always pleasant and welcoming.

Jack

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

I was very happy until my rates skyrocketed

They raised my rates so much that I switched insurance companies and saved hundreds with the same or better coverage.
See all State Farm reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

If you’re borrowing a car from a friend or driving a car you don’t own, you might want non-owner insurance. If so, State Farm is a popular option. While State Farm is one of the more expensive insurers in New Jersey, the company’s wide selection of coverage makes it a good choice for drivers seeking flexibility.

Pros
  • Offers non-owner insurance

  • Rideshare and rental coverage available

Cons
  • No pay-per-mile insurance option

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in New Jersey

Progressive: Best for discounts

JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.4 /10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$208/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$353/mo
How drivers feel about Progressive

Drivers appreciate the professional service and accident forgiveness but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
How drivers feel about Progressive

Drivers appreciate the professional service and accident forgiveness but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Reviews (5,864)

John

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

Fast Claims

They offer good self-service.

John

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

Progressive is the Worst

The cost is ridiculous and there's no local agent.

Patricia

December 11, 2024

Verified Review

Flood Nightmare

Very poor service. I had to repeatedly call and never received a return call. Despite my persistence, it took from August to December to get my case settled. It was a simple matter.
See all Progressive reviews
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.82
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Why we picked this company

Progressive is a great option for New Jersey drivers looking to save on coverage through discounts. The company has helpful driver-based discounts for safe drivers, good students, college students, and homeowners. It also rewards drivers for how they receive quotes and buy coverage, with discounts for online quotes, paperless policies, and automatic payments.

Potential policyholders can also use the Progressive Name Your Price tool to learn how much coverage they can buy with the amount of money they’re willing to spend each month.

Pros
  • Offers non-owner insurance

  • Below-average number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in New Jersey

  • May charge a policy cancellation fee

  • We chose the best temporary car insurance companies above by comparing several New Jersey insurers’ IQ Scores, average rates, selection of insurance products, customer service record, J.D. Power scores, AM Best scores, and online customer reviews. For temporary insurance, we placed a special focus on short-term coverage options and cancellation fees.

Cheapest short-term car insurance in New Jersey

While New Jersey drivers pay above-average car insurance premiums, you can still find affordable car insurance. Rates start as low as $85 per month for liability-only insurance. Factors like your age, vehicle type, marital status, coverage level, ZIP code, driving record, and more affect your rates.[2]

The table below outlines the cheapest car insurance companies in New Jersey. The following insurers either offer a form of short-term insurance, including non-owner car insurance, or don’t have coverage cancellation fees.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Sunday, December 1 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance Company
Average Quote: Liability Only
GEICO$108
State Farm$198
Progressive$208
Travelers$256
Allstate$325
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in New Jersey

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Options for temporary car insurance

If you need car insurance only on a temporary basis, you have options. You can choose from pay-as-you-go car insurance, non-owner car insurance, pay-per-mile car insurance, and rental car insurance depending on your unique needs.

Pay-as-you-go car insurance: Best for safe drivers

Pay-as-you-go car insurance uses telematics to track your driving behavior and mileage. Your car insurance costs will be lower if you drive fewer miles and practice safe driving habits. With distracted driving on the rise, telematics has become a popular way for drivers to lower the chance of an accident or claim.

Pay-as-you-go car insurance usually has a base rate plus additional costs based on mileage. In some cases, your car insurance rates may rise if your mileage increases or if you don’t drive safely. Some drivers also might not want their insurer collecting their driving data. Telematics programs are voluntary and may be a good idea for low-mileage drivers.[3]

Non-owner car insurance: Best for borrowing a vehicle

Non-owner car insurance offers liability coverage whenever you drive a vehicle you don’t own. For instance, if you’re borrowing a friend’s car for a few days or renting a car, non-owner car insurance might fit your needs.

Non-owner car insurance has a six-month or 12-month policy term. It’s 37% cheaper than standard liability-only car insurance and 69% cheaper than full-coverage car insurance, according to Insurify data. Several major auto insurance companies offer non-owner car insurance, including GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, and Allstate.

If you regularly borrow a car or use car-sharing services like Zipcar, a non-owner car insurance policy might come in handy. While non-owner policies have standard policy terms, they’re significantly cheaper than standard policies. This makes a non-owner policy the right financial choice for drivers who need insurance on a periodic basis.

Pay-per-mile car insurance: Best for low-mileage drivers

In recent years, brands like Mile Auto and Hugo have started offering pay-per-mile auto insurance. With Mile Auto, drivers send in their odometer readings at the end of the month. Then, the company determines rates based on how many miles policyholders drove.

Pay-per-mile car insurance is a good idea for low-mileage drivers. These auto policies are also more privacy-friendly, as your insurer isn’t tracking your driving behavior — just your mileage.

Unfortunately, very few car insurance companies offer pay-per-mile insurance. Hugo and Mile Auto aren’t currently available in New Jersey. Allstate’s pay-per-mile program, Milewise, is only available in six states.

Stored car insurance: Best for occasional drivers

Many car insurance companies offer a significant discount to drivers who store their vehicles for long periods of time. For example, USAA offers major discounts to deployed policyholders who won’t drive their vehicles for a while.

Some car insurance companies offer a separate car storage insurance product, which is essentially a comprehensive-only policy that protects your stored car in the event of severe weather or vandalism. Talk to an insurance agent for more information on stored car insurance.

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Pros and cons of temporary car insurance

Deciding on the right type of auto coverage to meet your needs as a driver is important. You’ll have to consider how frequently you drive, your annual mileage, how you like to pay for car insurance, and more.

Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of temporary auto insurance to consider.

Pros
  • Helps you out in short-term driving situations

  • Cheaper than a standard policy

  • Flexible options, from non-owner insurance to pay-as-you-go coverage

Cons
  • Many insurers don’t offer temporary insurance

  • Few one-day insurance options

  • You may still end up buying more coverage than you need

Temporary car insurance in New Jersey FAQs

New Jersey drivers have options when it comes to temporary car insurance. Here are some answers to questions you might have about temporary car insurance in New Jersey.

  • Can you get temporary insurance in New Jersey?

    Standard car insurance policies in New Jersey are six to 12 months long. New Jersey drivers can get temporary insurance by canceling a standard insurance policy early, purchasing non-owner car insurance, or purchasing pay-per-mile car insurance.

  • How can you get $1-a-day insurance in New Jersey?

    Low-income drivers in New Jersey may qualify for the state’s Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP) program, which costs $365 per year and covers medical expenses after an accident. This isn’t a temporary insurance policy, and drivers must pay the $365 premium up front in one or two installments.[4]

  • Is temporary car insurance legit?

    Only a few legit car insurance companies offer temporary policies. Most companies sell coverage only in term lengths of six or 12 months. If a company is offering policies with a shorter time frame, do your research to make sure the company isn’t a scam. Checking customer reviews and the Better Business Bureau website can give you some answers.

  • What is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey?

    NJM is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey, with an average rate of $85 per month for liability-only car insurance. Other cheap insurers include CSAA and Plymouth Rock, with respective average monthly liability rates of $87 and $92.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. GEICO. "How to Cancel Your GEICO Car Insurance Policy."
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Pay-as-you drive auto insurance (telematics)."
  4. State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. "Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP)."
A.M. Steinbach
A.M. SteinbachInsurance Writer

A.M. is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who's worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches over 250,000 daily readers. Since 2019, he's written for Insurify, breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable prose.

A.M. has been a contributor at Insurify since December 2022.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

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