Car Insurance Comparison: New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania

If you're moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, you should consider the consequences for your car insurance.

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By Kristine Lee
Updated January 5, 2022
Edited By Ross Martin

Comparing auto insurance in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

If you're in the process of moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, you might be focused on the big-picture concerns and major expenses: finding a dependable long-distance moving company, getting a home in your new city, and arranging your move across state lines.

Amidst the stress of a big move, it can be easy to overlook the details. Auto insurance is just a detail, but it's a big one. To stay street legal and find cheap rates, plan to update your policy — or purchase a new policy — when you make the move.

Check out our guide to auto insurance in New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania to ensure your interstate move goes smoothly. We'll cover:


  1. Insurance rate comparison
  2. Insurance rates by coverage level
  3. Cheap companies by state
  4. Rates by city
  5. Additional resources


New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania car insurance — average rates

Expect to pay less for auto insurance in Pennsylvania than you did in New Jersey. The average annual auto insurance rate in Pennsylvania is $423 more affordable than the cost in New Jersey. Keep in mind this cost depends on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.


CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA
State Average Annual Rate
New Jersey $1,850
Pennsylvania $1,428


Car insurance prices by coverage level

How much you pay for auto insurance depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and how much protection you want.

With state minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you'll get bodily injury, medical payment, and property damage liability coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.


AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS — STATE MINIMUM COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. PENNSYLVANIA
State Period Premium
New Jersey Annual $881
Pennsylvania Annual $500
New Jersey 6-Month $440
Pennsylvania 6-Month $250
New Jersey Monthly $73
Pennsylvania Monthly $42


Upgrading to full-coverage car insurance will cost more, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive and collision coverages, as well as rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The most notable benefit of full coverage auto insurance is that it insures you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment, full coverage is recommended.


AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS — FULL COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. PENNSYLVANIA
State Time Period Rate
New Jersey Annual $1,679
Pennsylvania Annual $1,372
New Jersey 6-Month $840
Pennsylvania 6-Month $686
New Jersey Monthly $140
Pennsylvania Monthly $114


Cheap auto insurance companies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

A primary determinant of your car insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Auto insurance companies price rates in a variety of ways, resulting in substantial variations in pricing. Your location also plays a role: some car insurance companies only sell policies in certain states, while major insurers’ rates may vary by state.

When moving to a new state, it’s important to find the best cheap auto insurance company in your new state. Get your research started below with our list of the five cheapest auto insurance companies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.


AFFORDABLE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY
Car Insurance Company Average Annual Rate
21st Century $1,089
Travelers $1,168
New Jersey Manufacturers $1,284
Penn National $1,352
Palisades $1,368


See other cheap auto insurance companies in New Jersey.


AFFORDABLE AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Insurer Average Annual Rate
General Casualty $733
Travelers $795
USAA $801
Erie $808
Penn National $824


See more affordable auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania.


Car insurance rates by city in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Though car insurance is legislated at the state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for location-specific factors such as density and the likelihood of a crash. The specific location to which you relocate plays a big part in deciding your premiums.

Reference the below tables to see car insurance rates in major cities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.


AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN NEW JERSEY
City Average Annual Rate
Newark $2,547
Jersey City $2,299
Paterson $2,424
Elizabeth $2,422
Toms River $1,708


See a longer list of insurance rates in New Jersey cities here.


CAR INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN PENNSYLVANIA
City Average Annual Premium
Philadelphia $2,017
Pittsburgh $1,074
Allentown $1,119
Erie $1,093
Reading $1,088


Looking for a different city? View more insurance rates for Pennsylvania cities here.


Additional resources: moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania

When you relocate from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, you’ll encounter a new set of driving laws, different SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, and more. Make sure your move is problem-free with our collection of information on your new state:

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Kristine Lee
Kristine LeeManager, Content and Data

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer.

She is an authority on all things insurance and covers the ins and outs of auto, home, life and renters insurance. Her specialty is in providing data-backed insights and information to help insurance shoppers make informed decisions.

Kristine's insurance expertise and research have been cited by publications such as CNBC, Car and Driver, Business Insider, Yahoo!, The Balance, Nationwide and Elephant.

Learn more about Kristine Lee Right arrow icon

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.

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  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.