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Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
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Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
Updated
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Table of contents
New Jersey Manufacturers (NJM) offers the cheapest premiums for liability-only car insurance for people in New Jersey with a driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge. Getting a DWI — also called driving under the influence (DUI) — can make it difficult and expensive to find car insurance. Some companies might even deny you coverage because they view you as a high risk.
If you find yourself in this difficult situation, here’s the information you need to compare car insurance companies in New Jersey if you have a DWI.
A DWI will cause your car insurance premiums to go up, and in some cases, your insurer might drop you altogether.
New Jersey is a no-fault state, which means you file any injury claims with your insurer, no matter who caused the accident.[1]
Getting a subsequent DWI within 10 years can result in more serious fines and consequences.
Cheapest car insurance quotes after a DWI in New Jersey
NJM is the cheapest insurer for drivers with a DWI in New Jersey. The following table highlights other insurance companies in New Jersey offering the cheapest liability insurance rates.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
---|---|
CSAA | $129 |
NJM | $139 |
Bristol West | $224 |
Mercury | $236 |
Progressive | $333 |
State Farm | $344 |
GEICO | $367 |
Travelers | $444 |
Allstate | $565 |
How a DWI affects car insurance rates in New Jersey
Your driving record is one of the factors insurers use to determine your car insurance rates.[2] A clean record typically results in lower rates. If you get a DWI or other serious traffic violations, your premiums will go up. In some cases, your insurer might choose not to renew your policy because it views you as a high-risk driver.
Below, you can see how average liability rates change with and without a DWI.
With DWI | Without DWI | |
---|---|---|
Average driver | $229 | $148 |
How to get car insurance with a DWI in New Jersey
If you get a DWI in New Jersey, you may find it more challenging to find an insurer, and you’ll pay higher premiums. If you’re looking for car insurance with a DWI, consider the following steps to help you get the most affordable rate:
Research insurance companies
Shop around to see which New Jersey insurance companies offer insurance to drivers with a DWI. Compare companies on factors like coverage and discounts.
Compare quotes
Once you’ve narrowed your options, compare quotes from at least three different insurers to find the best policy for you.
Look for discounts
To help you save money on your monthly premiums, see which companies offer insurance discounts, such as multi-car or bundling discounts.
Keep a clean record
Do your best to keep a clean driving record by practicing safe driving. Getting an additional DWI in New Jersey can result in additional license loss, fines and fees, community service, and even prison time.[3]
DWI laws in New Jersey
The amount of time a DWI stays on your driving record varies between states. In New Jersey, a DWI can stay on your driving record indefinitely. But the state also has a “step-down” rule for DWIs. If you don’t get another DWI within 10 years, a new DWI is treated as a first offense. If you get another DWI within 10 years of your first one, you’re subject to additional consequences.
When convicted of a DWI in New Jersey, you face several consequences, including the loss of your driver’s license, fines and fees, a possible prison term of up to 30 days, participation in the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC), and the use of an ignition interlock device.
When you get a DWI, many states require that you get an SR-22, a certificate of financial responsibility proving you meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements. This isn’t required in New Jersey. But all drivers are required to carry the state’s mandatory minimum coverage. Failure to present your insurance can result in fines. Driving without insurance can also result in fines, community service, license suspension, and additional insurance charges.
Minimum car insurance requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey drivers must meet the minimum coverage requirements to drive legally in the state. The basic minimum coverage for each driver includes:[4]
Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident
Personal injury protection: $15,000 per person, per accident; up to $250,000 for certain injuries
Bodily injury insurance: Optional $10,000 for all persons, per accident
New Jersey is a no-fault state, which means insurance will cover your medical expenses whether you were at fault or not.
DWI car insurance in New Jersey FAQs
Searching for car insurance when you have a DWI can feel complicated. If you still have questions about DWI car insurance in New Jersey, check out the following answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey after a DWI?
New Jersey Manufacturers, California State Automobile Association (CSAA), and Plymouth Rock are some of the cheapest New Jersey car insurance companies for drivers with a DWI, according to Insurify research.
But insurance rates can vary based on factors like your age, gender, and the type of car you drive. That’s why it’s important to get quotes from multiple insurers before deciding on the best policy for you.
How long will a DWI affect your car insurance premium?
New Jersey has a “look-back” period of 10 years. This means a past DWI conviction can affect the consequences of a subsequent DWI for 10 years. So, it’s possible for a DWI to affect your insurance premiums for a decade.
How much is DWI insurance in New Jersey?
It depends. How much you pay for DWI insurance in New Jersey will vary based on several factors, including the car insurance company you choose, the type of insurance, your driving record, your age, gender, and the type of car you drive.
How long does a DWI stay on your record in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, a DWI can stay on your record indefinitely, as it’s considered a traffic offense rather than a criminal offense. The “look-back” period, which is the time that a past DWI conviction can affect the consequences of a subsequent DWI, is 10 years.
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
- 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.
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Sources
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. "Insurance Requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. "Suspensions and Restorations - Penalties."
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. "Standard Auto Insurance Policy."
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Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
)
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.