New Jersey car insurance Laws

When it comes to obtaining car insurance in New Jersey, you have options. New Jersey offers several avenues for you to fulfill the state's car insurance requirements. Read more to learn about rates, policy options, and how to get the best car insurance quotes in New Jersey.

Car Insurance Requirements in NJ

In order to comply with New Jersey's car insurance laws, you must choose a car insurance policy. Basic and standard policies are available; you should choose whichever policy best suits your insurance and financial needs.

Basic Policy

The Basic policy option is the more affordable insurance package; however, it offers limited coverage, including:

• $5, 000 of property damage liability (PDL) per accident. This covers damage you may have caused to someone's property in a car crash.
• $15, 000 of personal injury protection (PIP) per person, per accident. This coverage pays for injuries you suffer in a car crash.
• Up to $250, 000 for very severe injuries, such as permanent brain injuries.

NOTE: Bodily injury liability (BDL) coverage is not included in the Basic policy; however, policyholders are offered the option to purchase $10, 000 of BDL coverage.

Standard Policy

The Standard policy option has a higher premium but offers more extensive coverage.

With the Standard policy, you get a minimum of:

• $15, 000 of bodily injury liability (BDL) insurance per person, per accident. This coverage will pay for injuries to anyone not in your car if you cause a car crash.
• $30, 000 of BDL for multiple injured people per accident.
• $5, 000 of PDL per accident.
• $15, 000 of PIP per person in a car accident.
• Up to $250, 000 of PIP for severe or permanent injuries.

Right to Sue

If you choose to purchase the Standard policy, you will have to make a decision on your right to sue if you are injured in a car accident.

Regardless of which right to sue option you choose, you will not be eligible to sue for medical expenses or loss of income, as both of those will be covered by your PIP; you can only sue for pain and suffering.

Unlimited Right to Sue

If you choose the unlimited right to sue option, you can sue a person who caused an accident you were injured in.

Because this is option offers broader rights to sue, it comes with a higher premium.

Limited Right to Sue

If you choose the limited right to sue option, you agree to only sue a person who causes a car accident if you suffer any of the following injuries:

• Loss of a body part.
• Significant disfigurement.
• Significant scarring.
• Displaced fractures.
• Loss of a fetus.
• Permanent injury.
• Death.

The limited right to sue option is the more affordable of the right to sue options, and is the only option available in the Basic policy plan.

PIP and Health Insurance

You have the option of making your health insurance the primary source of medical insurance after a car accident. If you are on Medicaid or Medicare, this option is not available to you.

If you choose to have your health insurance as your primary insurance over personal injury protection (PIP), your health insurance will pay for your medical care after an accident up to your policy's limits. Your PIP will help pay for further costs.

Choosing this option will lower your car insurance premium. However, before you make this decision, make sure your health insurance covers injuries due to car accidents.