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New Jersey car insurance minimums 2026
For New Jersey Standard Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, minimum bodily injury liability is $35,000 per person and $70,000 per accident, while the Standard Policy property damage minimum is $25,000.
Reader goal
Understand the new legal minimum and prepare for renewal changes.
What this page helps you decide
- Confirm whether your renewal shows at least 35/70/25.
- Review matching UM/UIM limits and total premium impact.
- Compare quotes before accepting a renewal shock.
- Avoid treating minimum coverage as recommended coverage.
Primary sources checked
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: Standard Policy
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: 2026 Auto Insurance Buyer's Guide
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance: Basic Auto Insurance Policy
The higher legal floor does not prove that every premium will double. Pricing depends on the insurer, driver, vehicle, location, selections, and renewal filing.
State-specific next step
Verify the rule before changing coverage
Use the official state insurance department and your current policy documents, then compare limits on the same basis.
Review your limitsNew Jersey raised the minimum bodily-injury liability limits for Standard Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The change is real; claims that every driver's premium will double are not supported by the law.
The 2026 Standard Policy minimums
| Coverage | Minimum from Jan. 1, 2026 | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $35,000 | Standard Policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date |
| Bodily injury per accident | $70,000 | Standard Policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date |
| Property damage per accident | $25,000 | Standard Policy minimum |
The amounts are published by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and its 2026 Auto Insurance Buyer's Guide.
The Basic Policy still exists
New Jersey's official consumer page continues to describe a Basic Policy. It lists $5,000 of property damage liability and an optional $10,000 bodily-injury limit for all persons per accident, along with other restricted choices. A Basic Policy is not the same product as the Standard Policy and may leave substantial gaps. Do not say it was abolished when the regulator still publishes it.
What the law does not tell you
- It does not set one premium increase for every driver.
- It does not mean 35/70/25 is sufficient for every household.
- It does not replace the need to review PIP, UM/UIM, collision, comprehensive, deductibles, and tort options.
- It does not make Basic and Standard Policies interchangeable.
Why your renewal price can differ
A renewal premium can reflect the new minimum limits along with insurer filings, territory, vehicle, drivers, claim history, discounts, deductibles, selected options, and other rating factors permitted under New Jersey rules. Compare the old and new declarations line by line before attributing the entire change to one statute.
New Jersey renewal checklist
- Confirm whether the policy is Basic or Standard.
- Record old and new bodily-injury and property-damage limits.
- Check PIP selections, health-insurer coordination, deductible, and tort option.
- Review UM/UIM limits and any written selections.
- Request matched quotes at the same limits before comparing insurers.
- Use the 2026 New Jersey Auto Insurance Buyer's Guide for official definitions and choices.
Bottom line
The 2026 change raises the Standard Policy liability floor. Review the renewal, but do not assume the legal minimum is a recommendation or that the law alone explains the full premium.
New Jersey-specific educational information, reviewed against official sources on August 10, 2026. Confirm your policy with DOBI or a licensed New Jersey producer.
