New Jersey Manufacturers Group (NJM) offers liability, medical expenses, underinsured and uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive car insurance coverage. Its unique discounts and its commitment to teen driving safety are commendable.
NJM (New Jersey Manufacturers) is a regional carrier in the Northeast part of the United States and has been writing insurance policies for over 100 years. Although they only offer personal insurance policies in five states, they have great ratings for both customer service and claims satisfaction.
Until recently, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance was available only to members of certain groups. NJM dropped those restrictions in 2018 and now offers auto, homeowners, condo, renters, and umbrella insurance to anyone in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. NJM sells personal policies directly to customers rather than through agents. You can purchase one online or by phone.
While NJM is incorporated as a stock company, it operates more like a mutual insurance company. Its stock is held in trust, and it pays out dividends and premium credits to policyholders in New Jersey, though those payments aren’t guaranteed.
NJM offers a variety of coverage options from auto and home to boat and watercraft, as well as commercial lines.
NJM car insurance coverage
When you’re shopping for car insurance coverage, it’s important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle.
Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance.
NJM can provide the standard car insurance offerings you would expect with any car insurance policy, including:
Liability car insurance
If you’re legally liable for another person’s injuries or property damage from an accident you caused, liability car insurance pays for others’ expenses resulting from the incident, such as medical bills and car repairs. Liability insurance also pays your legal costs if you’re sued.
Comprehensive insurance
If your car is damaged by something other than an accident, comprehensive coverage can pay for repairs or the actual cash value of a totaled or stolen car. For example, problems covered include car damage resulting from an animal collision, fire, hail, vandalism or flooding.
Collison and comprehensive coverage are typically required if you have a car loan.
Collision insurance
If you crash into an object, such as another car or a pole or fence, collision insurance pays to repair or replace your car if damaged or destroyed, regardless of fault. If your car is totaled, the maximum payout is the value of the vehicle right before the accident, minus your deductible.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance
Suppose your vehicle was struck by a driver who wasn’t carrying any insurance (or had too little). In this case, uninsured motorist coverage will pay for you and your passengers’ medical bills if you are injured.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle but is not available in all states.
New car replacement
If your car is totaled or stolen within 12 months after you buy it, NJM’s new-car replacement coverage will pay what it costs to replace it, less your deductible. To qualify, you must be the vehicle’s original owner and it must have had fewer than 1,000 miles on it at the time of purchase and 15,000 miles on it at the time of the claim.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
If you or your passengers are injured in a crash, PIP insurance can pay for your medical bills, lost wages and more, regardless of who was at fault. PIP is required in some states, optional in other states and not available in some states.
Medical Payments Insurance (MedPay)
Medical payments (MedPay) insurance pays your medical bills if you, a family member, or a passenger in your car gets injured in an accident. It covers expenses such as ambulance rides, X-rays, surgery, hospitalizations, and rehabilitation.
Other coverage types from NJM car insurance
- Pet injury coverage: NJM will pay up to $1,000 for medical expenses for your dog or cat if it’s injured in a car accident covered by your policy. This is available if you buy comprehensive or collision coverage from NJM.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: If you need transportation because your vehicle is damaged in an accident or by a problem covered under your policy, rental reimbursement coverage will help pay for a car rental, Uber or other transportation costs.
- Roadside assistance: This benefit provides 24/7 help if you break down and need work done on your disabled car or need a tow to a repair shop due to an emergency covered by your policy. It also provides jump-start, lockout, flat tire change, and gas delivery services. You can choose among two options: reimbursement up to $75 for each emergency or one that reimburses up to $125 per emergency.
- Trailer or camper body coverage: This type of coverage acts as collision and comprehensive insurance for a trailer or camper. If there is damage to the body of your trailer or camper, this coverage can pay for repairs or replacement.
- Transportation expense reimbursement. NJM gives you three temporary transportation options when your car is being repaired as a result of a covered loss: You can take a taxi, use a rideshare company or rent a car. The insurer will reimburse you up to $100 a day, $4,000 in total, depending on your selected coverage.
NJM car insurance discounts
New Jersey Manufacturers Group offers several discounts, but availability may change based on location. You may be able to earn a discount on your NJM car insurance policy by:
Defensive driving (NJ)
The defensive driving discount is available for those who take a defensive driving class or online course approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The discount applies to liability, personal injury protection (PIP), and collision premiums for up to three years.
Driver training discount (CT, MD, NJ, and PA Only)
The driver training discount is available if you provide the necessary eligibility paperwork, which you can do through your online account or by email.
Electronic payment discount
You can get an easy discount by signing up for automatic electronic payments.
Full coverage
If you carry both collision and comprehensive insurance, you’ll receive a discount.
Good student discount
This discount is available to high school and college students, and you can qualify in a few different ways, like being on the honor roll or dean’s list or earning at least a B average or a 3.0 GPA.5
Home and auto bundle
You can save on your policy if you add auto insurance to your NJM homeowners, condo, or renters insurance.
Mature driver
If you’re over a certain age and take a qualified course, you’re eligible for a discount, but documentation is required.
Multi-vehicle discount
If two or more vehicles are insured through NJM on the same policy, you’ll receive a discount.
New car discount
You may be rewarded with a discount if your car is two model years old or newer.
Paid in full discount
Like many insurers, if you pay your NJM bill in full, rather than monthly, you’ll receive a discount.
Paperless discount (CT, MD, OH, and PA Only)
Receive a discount for getting your documents electronically.
Vehicle safety equipment discount
If your vehicle has an anti-theft or vehicle recovery device, anti-lock brakes, or passive restraints, you’re eligible for a discount.
Cost of NJM Car Insurance
NJM car insurance rate comparison for good drivers
NJM has the cheapest car insurance rates for good drivers in New Jersey, among the insurers in our analysis.
| Company | Average annual rate in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| NJM | $1,370 |
| Geico | $1,661 |
| Progressive | $1,744 |
| Allstate | $1,973 |
| State Farm | $2,026 |
NJM car insurance rate comparison for drivers with a speeding ticket
A speeding ticket in New Jersey is bound to result in a hike in your insurance premiums. If you have a speeding ticket, NJM is likely among your best bets for a low price.
| Company | Average annual rate in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| NJM | $1,545 |
| Geico | $1,876 |
| Progressive | $2,201 |
| Allstate | $3,009 |
| State Farm | $3,519 |
NJM car insurance rate comparison for drivers who caused an accident with injury
If you cause a car accident that results in an injury to others, you’ll most likely see your rates go up. NJM is a good place to check for low quotes.
| Company | Average annual rate in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| NJM | $1,370 |
| Geico | $2,222 |
| Progressive | $2,758 |
| State Farm | $3,321 |
| Allstate | $3,364 |
NJM car insurance rate comparison for drivers with a DUI
A DUI conviction will result in higher car insurance rates at renewal time. If you have a DUI on your record, try quotes from NJM and Progressive.
| Company | Average annual rate in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| NJM | $1,545 |
| Progressive | $1,978 |
| Geico | $2,929 |
| Allstate | $3,590 |
| State Farm | $7,866 |
NJM car insurance rate comparison for drivers with poor credit
Even if you’re an excellent driver, having poor credit can lead to higher car insurance rates. NJM has very competitive rates for poor credit drivers, among the companies in our analysis.
| Company | Average annual rate in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| NJM | $2,135 |
| Progressive | $2,831 |
| Allstate | $2,896 |
| Geico | $3,605 |
| State Farm | $4,286 |
Payment Options
NJM customers can pay for their policy in the following ways:
- Online: Customers can log in to their dashboard to set up automatic bill pay and also make a one-time payment without logging in.
- Online bill pay service: Customers can choose NJM as the payee for their policy and have their bank pay their premium directly for them.
- By phone: By using the automated phone system, customers can pay their bills from their checking, savings, or credit/debit card.
- By mail: Customers can pay their bill through the mail by sending in a check with the policy number on it.
- Payment in full: Customers will receive a discount if they pay their bill in full versus paying monthly.
NJM car insurance pros and cons
Pros
- Highly competitive insurance rates for all types of drivers, not just those with a good driving record.
- Offers a special perk of pet injury coverage if your dog or cat is hurt in an auto accident.
- Drivers for Uber or Lyft can obtain rideshare insurance with NJM.
- NJM has a much lower level of complaints compared to the industry average.
Cons
- Only offered in five states (Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania).
- The defensive driving discount is only available to drivers in New Jersey.
Loss ratio
The loss ratio of a company helps gauge how financially strong it is at any given time. New Jersey Manufacturers Group has a loss ratio of 61.42 %, which is on the lower end among similar insurers. A higher loss ratio of claims/premiums can indicate financial distress, and this is not the case with the company.
According to internal research, its average annual premium is $1,694.00, which is the fifth cheapest out of the 25 companies ranked.
Customer service
New Jersey Manufacturers Group has several ways for customers to get in touch.
The company has a service line that customers can call at 1-800-232-6600 from Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST. There is also an email contact form to which a representative will respond within two business days, and NJM also offers 24/7 claims reporting through their online portal or by calling 1-800-367-6564.
Customers can also mail auto insurance questions to:
- NJM Insurance Group
- 301 Sullivan Way
- PO Box 428
- West Trenton, NJ 08628-0227
Extra features
New Jersey Manufacturers Group has several features that help them stand out from the competition. For starters, online quotes are available, making it convenient for potential customers to compare NJM to other companies. The company also offers gap insurance, which pays for some or all of the difference between the balance of a loan or lease on a vehicle and what NJM is willing to pay to replace the vehicle if it is considered a total loss.
New Jersey Manufacturers Group’s roadside assistance program offers 24/7 service for a flat tire, dead battery, no fuel, or getting locked out of your car. The company also has Transportation Expense Enrollment, where customers can purchase increased limits for rental reimbursement if the vehicle is in a covered loss.
Note: NJM’s transportation expense endorsement is only available for vehicles with physical damage (comprehensive and collision) coverage.
The company also keeps teens safe while driving, offering a free driver safety program called the Teen Driver Safety Program. This is available at no cost to schools in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. It also sponsors several safe driving initiatives, including the Just Drive Pledge, where teenagers pledge to avoid distractions.
There is also the U Got Brains Champion Schools program, in which schools compete for $10,000 to use towards school safety programs.
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