Temporary Car Insurance in New Jersey (2026)
GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive are the cheapest temporary car insurance companies in New Jersey.
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Written byA.M. Steinbach
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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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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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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Reviewed byDavid Marlett
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David MarlettAdvisor
David Marlett is the Managing Director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He is a professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.
David has taught courses in Risk Management and Insurance for the last 25 years, starting at Florida State University while in the doctoral program. Prior to graduate school, David worked as a commercial lines underwriter for USF&G in Tampa.
He serves as a resource on insurance issues and is a frequent media contributor. He has been quoted by a wide range of outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and NPR.
David has been reviewing articles for Insurify since March 2025.
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Table of contents
Table of contents
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 $181 per month for standard liability and $256 for full-coverage car insurance, which exceeds the national averages of $99 for liability and $175 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. | 9.2 /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. | $253/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. | $293/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 14,564 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (7,199)
John
Verified Review
Excellent
Reviewed in Florida on January 2026
Good company, easy to renew policy, good value for cost compared to other major insurers.
Herminio
Verified Review
GEICO is the best
Reviewed in New York on January 2026
An amazing company. I am extremely satisfied.
Jerry
Verified Review
Senior Abuse on Premiums!
Reviewed in Wisconsin on January 2026
They doubled my premiums! Horrible now! No, no accidents nor any claims. Just picking on senior citizens to take advantage of! Too sad, I've had them for years!
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
637NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59A.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 | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.3 /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. | $345/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. | $398/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 14,173 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
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
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (6,893)
Clayton
Verified Review
Awesome
Reviewed in California on January 2026
Meets my current needs.
Daniel
Verified Review
Pay Monthly
Reviewed in Georgia on January 2026
The only good thing is I can pay by the month with no added monthly fees!
Paul
Verified Review
Thinking of switching carriers
Reviewed in Texas on January 2026
They don't seem to have their act together, as multiple times I have received cancellations when I was current with my policy. Also, the rates always increase by large amounts, even though my driving record is spotless. I still haven't received a new bill, though my policy expires in 3 weeks.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
657NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84A.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. | 622 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.7 /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. | $176/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. | $317/mo |
How drivers feel about Progressive
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
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
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Reviews (7,850)
John
Verified Review
Blind Decisions
Reviewed in Florida on January 2026
They initially offered a low first payment, but then increased it to a level higher than my budget. There were many mistakes in the paperwork and rewrites. They also asked me to insert a tracker in my car. I was criticized for pulling hard into a turn, which I did to avoid another speeding car cutting into my lane. They also said I brake too hard, but they couldn't see that I was avoiding someone jumping a red light into my right of way. These are judgments they make about things they can't see. I would advise not to accept their Snapshot. They misjudge what they can't see, and as a result, they decide to raise rates and damage an excellent driving record.
Charles
Verified Review
If you have a ticket or a minor incident, they will completely take advantage of you, resulting in a major price increase.
Reviewed in Colorado on January 2026
If you have a ticket or a minor incident, they will completely take advantage of you, resulting in a major price increase.
Loren
Verified Review
Play Fair
Reviewed in Oklahoma on January 2026
Consideration for miles driven in a 6-month period. Personally, I drive less than 600 miles in 6 months. Less exposure should translate into cost savings.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
622NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.97A.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 $108 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: Monday, January 19 at 11:00 AM PST.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $176 |
| GEICO | $253 |
| Liberty Mutual | $302 |
| State Farm | $345 |
| Travelers | $446 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ 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
Liability-only quotes start at $108 per month
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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?
CSAA is the cheapest car insurance company in New Jersey, with an average rate of $108 per month for liability-only car insurance. Other cheap insurers include NJM and Plymouth Rock, with respective average monthly liability rates of $148 and $154.
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 500+ 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
- GEICO. "How to Cancel Your GEICO Car Insurance Policy."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: Pay-as-you drive auto insurance (telematics)."
- State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. "Special Automobile Insurance Policy (SAIP)."
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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.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
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
David MarlettAdvisor
David Marlett is the Managing Director of the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center. He is a professor in the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance at Appalachian State University and holds the IIANC Distinguished Professorship. David also serves on the Board of Directors for the Invest program and previously chaired the Loman Advisory Committee for the CPCU Society.
David has taught courses in Risk Management and Insurance for the last 25 years, starting at Florida State University while in the doctoral program. Prior to graduate school, David worked as a commercial lines underwriter for USF&G in Tampa.
He serves as a resource on insurance issues and is a frequent media contributor. He has been quoted by a wide range of outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, Reuters, and NPR.
David has been reviewing articles for Insurify since March 2025.