Car Insurance in Ridgewood, NJ

Vehicle owners in Ridgewood need car insurance. A good auto policy can shield you from significant financial losses whether you have a minor fender-bender in a parking lot, get rear-ended at a stoplight on Goodwin Avenue, cause a multi-vehicle collision on Route 17, or anything in between.

Finding the best and most affordable car insurance is easy when working with a local independent agent. These agents can help you compare customized car insurance quotes from some of the area’s top insurance providers. Contact an independent insurance agent in Ridgewood to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Ridgewood, NJ?

Car insurance rates in New Jersey tend to be higher than the average national rate.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• New Jersey’s average annual car insurance cost: $1,595

Of course, an average rate can only give you a general idea of how much coverage will cost you. Rates can vary significantly from one driver to the next because insurance companies base their premiums on several factors such as:

• Information about your vehicle, like its make, model, and year
• Information about you, like your age, gender, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Information about any other licensed drivers in your household
• Your insurance claims history and credit score
• Whether you are purchasing a basic or standard auto insurance policy
• The types and amounts of coverage you want to buy
• The size of your deductible

Comparing quotes from multiple insurance providers lets you choose the policy offered at the best price. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.

You may be able to save even more money if you are:

• Insuring multiple vehicles
• A safe driver
• A student with good grades
• A member of the US armed services
• Bundling your car insurance with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance

Ask about these and other potential car insurance discounts when you contact insurers to obtain quotes.

Is Car Insurance Required in Ridgewood, New Jersey?

The state law in New Jersey mandates that all vehicle owners have a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

The New Jersey Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act of 1998 allows residents to save money on their coverage by purchasing a basic car insurance policy instead of a standard car insurance policy.

Basic policies cost much less than standard policies because they have fewer coverage requirements. However, their coverage is minimal and is intended only to help people with limited funds and few assets.

What Does a Basic Car Insurance Policy Cover in Ridgewood, NJ?

Ridgewood residents who can’t afford a standard policy can comply with state law by purchasing a basic car insurance policy. These policies only provide the following coverage:

• Personal injury protection insurance (PIP): This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. A basic policy provides:
  • PIP coverage per person: $15,000
  • PIP for specific severe injuries like irreversible brain damage: $250,000
• Liability insurance: This covers other people’s property damage if you are at fault for a collision. A basic policy provides:
  • Property damage liability coverage per accident: $5,000
  • Bodily injury liability coverage: This is not required, but you have the option to purchase up to $10,000 in coverage per accident

If you are involved in a severe collision and only have a basic insurance policy, you may owe a lot of money. Therefore, these policies are only a good idea if you do not have the financial means to pay for a standard policy.

What Are the Coverage Requirements for a Standard Car Insurance Policy in Ridgewood, NJ?

Basic coverage is limited, so most Ridgewood residents purchase a standard car insurance policy instead. A standard policy must meet or exceed the following coverage requirements:

• Personal injury protection insurance (PIP): This covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • PIP coverage per person: $15,000
  • PIP coverage for specific severe injuries: $250,000
• Liability insurance: This covers other people’s property damage and any medical bills that go beyond what their PIP coverage can pay for if you are at fault for a collision. Your policy must provide, at a minimum:
  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
  • Property damage liability coverage per accident: $5,000
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UM): This can cover your property damage and any medical bills that exceed what your PIP insurance can cover if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured. Your UM coverage amounts must match your liability coverage amounts, which means your policy needs to provide, at a minimum:
  • UM bodily injury insurance per person: $15,000
  • UM bodily injury insurance per accident: $30,000
  • UM property damage coverage per accident: $5,000

If you want to purchase even more liability coverage than your insurance provider offers, you can supplement your auto insurance with an umbrella insurance policy. This is an affordable way to boost your liability coverage by a million dollars or more.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Ridgewood, NJ?

You can expect your car insurance provider to offer several coverage options in addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above. Some of the policy options you may want to consider include:

• Physical damage coverage: This is optional by law but is typically required by lenders if you are financing your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:
  • Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Gap insurance coverage: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event, but you still owe more for it than it is worth.
• Rental car reimbursement coverage: This covers the cost of renting a car while you are having your own repaired for damage sustained in a covered event.
• Windshield and glass replacement coverage: This can cover the cost of replacing the safety glass in your car’s windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is cracked or damaged.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This covers the cost of a service call if your car breaks down and you need professional assistance or a tow, such as for a flat tire or an overheated engine.

An independent agent can help you determine whether any available coverage options are of good value to you.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Ridgewood, NJ?

Driving without insurance is illegal in New Jersey. If caught, you can face several consequences, including:

• Fines ranging from $500 to $5,000
• An annual surcharge of $250 for three years (for a total of $750)
• The revocation of your driver’s license for up to two years
• The requirement to complete up to 180 hours of community service
• Incarceration for up 14 days
• Vehicle impoundment with a $100 fee to retrieve it from the pound
• Nine points added to your driver’s license
• Higher car insurance rates

Despite these harsh penalties, New Jersey has an above-average rate of uninsured drivers.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
• Percentage of New Jersey drivers who are uninsured: 14.9%

Fortunately, you have uninsured motorist insurance if you carry a standard New Jersey car insurance policy. This means that if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, you will be able to receive immediate compensation for your injuries and property damage without needing to sue the at-fault driver.

Does Ridgewood, NJ Have a High Auto Theft Rate?

The average auto theft rate in New Jersey is lower than the national rate, and in Ridgewood, the rate is even lower. Residents of this city report an average of 4 stolen cars a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• New Jersey’s auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.24
• Ridgewood’s auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 0.52

Though your risk of car theft is low in Ridgewood, you should be aware that if your car is stolen, you can only receive compensation from your insurance provider if your policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.

Comprehensive coverage can pay to repair your car if it is lost or damaged due to non-collision events like floods, garage fires, and windstorms.

If you are financing or leasing your car, you probably have this optional insurance already. If not, you may want to ask how much it would cost to add comprehensive coverage to your car insurance policy.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Ridgewood, NJ?

The best car insurance companies in New Jersey are the providers that have a strong track record of consistently providing their policyholders with excellent coverage, responsive customer service, rapid claims processing, and competitive rates.

Independent agents in Ridgewood have relationships with many of the area’s most highly rated insurance providers. This means you can rest assured that any policies these agents recommend for your review come from companies you can rely on if you need to file a claim.

How Can an Independent Agent in Ridgewood, NJ Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance?

If you are looking for an ideal car insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, look no further than a local independent agent. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company, so they are free to shop around to find the coverage you want at the most affordable price.

It won’t cost you anything to work with one of these experienced insurance professionals. Arrange an obligation-free consultation with an independent insurance agent in Ridgewood when you are ready to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.