Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free
Question

Is car insurance mandatory in New Jersey if a person no longer uses their car to drive?

My car is broken down and I don't plan on fixing it for quite some time. Do I have to keep insurance on it while it isn't running?

Feb 27, 2026 Whippany, NJ

Answer
Author profile picture
The Zebra
The nation's leading independent insurance comparison site

The Zebra is an independent insurance advisor and quote comparison site with headquarters in Austin, Texas. Utilizing its real-time quote comparison …

New Jersey doesn’t require insurance on a car you no longer drive, but you must return the plates


In New Jersey, you aren't required to maintain insurance coverage on a vehicle you are no longer driving, but the tags for your vehicle will need to be returned to the state. We recommend contacting your local registration office for more information about what to do with tags on an inoperable vehicle.

Ask an Agent
Have a question? We're here to help.
Ask an agent for free

Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.

The Zebra searches all of the top insurance companies, in one place, so you can compare the cost and coverage you need to protect your car, home and other property.

Step 1: Tell us a little about yourself

Choose an insurance product and enter your zip code to get started.

Step 2: Sip your coffee while we find the best quotes

Enter the necessary information and then sit back while we find quotes from 100 top insurance carriers.

Step 3: Compare your quotes

Compare quotes side-by-side to find the right match for you, whether it's home, auto, or more.

Step 4: Let our agents do the hard work for you

Once you pick your policy, our agents are here to get you over the finish line. Then just relax and enjoy your savings.

Compare insurance rates today!

Pin
Shield checkmark No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Related Questions

Other people are also asking...

How can I get cheaper insurance after a reckless driving charge?

Thank you for reaching out to The Zebra. This is a great question, and I'm sure the high rate is getting frustrating after almost three years. Reckless driving is, unfortunately, considered a major violation. However, these violations typically start to fall off your record after a period of time. …
Oct 16, 2025 Central, SC

How can I find the trim designation and VIN number on a car?

Great question!Trim and VIN locations can be hard to find with the wide variety of cars and trucks we have today. Even when you find it, it's not always easy to interpret. Typically if you look at the back of the vehicle it should list the trim; usually on the trunk. For example, if you were to loo…

Will my spouse, or myself, get the best rate for insuring our shared car?

Which spouse is primary usually won’t change your rate much with clean recordsThis is an excellent question! Insurance is very complex, so trying to find the best rate can be a challenge. In this instance with both you and your wife having clean records and being close in age, the rate shouldn't be…
Mar 2, 2026 Saint Paul, MN

What can I do about fixing incorrect information on my driving record?

It really depends on where the accidents are listed. Insurance companies look at 2 different reports to verify your driving history. A MVR is from the DMV and shows incidents where a police officer issued a ticket or wrote an accident report. A CLUE report shows claims filed with previous insurance…
Aug 13, 2024 Swedesboro, NJ