The Wise Insurance Shopper

The best information about US auto & home insurance companies on the Web!



  New Jersey Auto & Home Insurance Shopping Guide 2023    

Updated: February 2022


Here are three reasons why most people pay too much for their auto or home insurance and fail to find the company that can save them a lot of money:

1. Many people never shop their auto or home insurance, sticking with the same company and paying their renewal year after year.

2. If people do shop their insurance coverage, they do not check with enough companies, failing to find the company or companies with the best combination of coverage, service, and rates for them.

3. People only get quotes online, instead of speaking with an insurance professional trained to quote them the coverage they need at the best price, with all the discounts they deserve. It is always best to buy insurance from an agent. A good agent can make the difference between loving or hating your insurance company.

How this guide can help you find the best company for you:

Many auto or home insurance customers do not know all the companies available in their state or their recent complaint records, making it unlikely they will find the company with the best rates, coverage & service for them. Some of the best companies are not very well known because they do little advertising. The objective of this guide is to show you all the major companies offering auto and/or home insurance coverage in New Jersey and the three-year auto & home insurance complaint record for each company. Links are provided to the website for each company so you can contact an agent near you or get a price quote online if available. None of the hyperlinks on my website are affiliate links and I receive no financial compensation from any insurance company.

Will you be eligible for all these auto and home insurance companies?

Insurance companies have different eligibility criteria, so not everyone may qualify for all the companies shown in this guide. However, everyone can benefit by shopping, even if they have recent claims or other factors making them ineligible for some companies. If you do not qualify for many of the companies in this guide due to recent claims, property condition/location, driving record, or other factors, there should still be agents representing companies listed in this guide who can help you. Please email me at help@smartshopyourcarinsurance.com to let me know if none of the agents or companies listed in this guide can help you or there are any errors in this guide.

The Major Auto and Home Insurance Companies in New Jersey

If you are looking for a company available in New Jersey with a much better than average auto and home insurance complaint record, scroll down to check out these companies:

Cincinnati Insurance

NJM Insurance

Plymouth Rock Assurance (Palisades Group)

Here are the biggest & best auto and home insurance brands in New Jersey you may or may not know, listed in alphabetical order:

1. Allstate Insurance

Allstate is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is one of the largest auto & home insurance companies in almost all US states. Founded in 1931, Its corporate office is in Northfield Township, IL. Allstate offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

Allstate owns these additional brands, also selling auto and/or home insurance: Encompass, Esurance, and National General. Esurance is not available in NJ.

2021 market share for Allstate Insurance:

Allstate is the fourth largest auto insurer and the largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Allstate Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Allstate Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Allstate has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Allstate Insurance:

Allstate sells its insurance through its own network of Allstate agents with offices located in communities throughout New Jersey. Allstate insurance may also be available from select independent insurance agencies in the state appointed to represent the company. There may be a discount for buying online from Allstate, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Allstate Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.allstate.com/


2. Cincinnati Insurance

Cincinnati Insurance Companies is another group of insurance companies offering personal insurance products in many US states, but is not known to many people, as it does little advertising. Established in 1950, Cincinnati Insurance is headquartered in Fairfield, OH. Cincinnati Insurance offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Cincinnati Insurance:

Cincinnati Insurance is not among the ten largest auto insurers or ten largest home insurers in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Cincinnati Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Cincinnati Insurance is consistently much better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.

How to buy a policy from Cincinnati Insurance:

Cincinnati Insurance sells its insurance exclusively through a small group of select independent insurance agencies with offices located in New Jersey. You cannot get a price quote online from the Cincinnati Insurance website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.

Check out the Cincinnati Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.cinfin.com/


3. Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance Group is a heavily advertised group of insurance companies, fairly well-known for auto and home insurance, available in many US states. Founded in 1928, Farmers home office is in Los Angeles, CA. Farmers offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

In recent years, Farmers Insurance Group has acquired additional insurance companies, still operating as separate brands, such as Foremost, 21st Century, and Bristol West. Farmers Insurance Group itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group.

In 2020, Farmers purchased Metlife Auto & Home and renamed these former Metropolitan companies as Farmers companies, some now available direct from the company under the brand name of Farmers GroupSelect, marketed as a group benefit through employers. Former Metlife Auto & Home agents may now be Farmers agents and independent agents formerly representing Metlife Auto & Home may now represent Farmers. Metlife Auto & Home insurance policyholders by now should be aware of the rebranding and how Farmers new ownership impacts them.

2021 market share for Farmers Insurance:

Farmers Insurance Group is the tenth largest auto insurer and the tenth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Farmers Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Farmers Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Farmers has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Farmers Insurance:

Farmers sells its insurance through its own network of Farmers agents with offices located in communities throughout New Jersey. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from the Farmers website or any other website.

Check out the Farmers Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.farmers.com/


4. GEICO Insurance

GEICO, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, operates in almost all US states, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Established in 1936, GEICO is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD. GEICO underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, such as homeowners insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. So, for example, if you buy homeowners insurance from GEICO, your home is not insured by GEICO, but by another company GEICO represents as an agent.

Since April 2022, GEICO ceased doing walk-in and phone sales in these states: AK, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, KS, LA, MA, NJ, NM, NY, WI, WV. Residents of these states can still get a price quote and buy a policy online from GEICO.

2021 market share for GEICO Insurance:

GEICO is the largest auto insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for GEICO Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto insurance complaint record for GEICO is not consistently better than the industry average. Since most GEICO customers do not have an agent to help them if they have a service problem, you should consider other companies instead of GEICO (if you do not have a good GEICO agent available to you), unless the price savings with GEICO is so much, it is worth it to you to chance service or claims problems you will need to handle on your own.

How to buy a policy from GEICO Insurance:

In New Jersey, GEICO at this time is quoting and selling policies only online through its website linked here:

https://www.geico.com


5. Hartford Insurance

Hartford Insurance is a group of insurance companies available in most US states, but is not as well-known, as it does not advertise as much as other major competitors selling auto and home insurance. Founded in 1810, Hartford Insurance is headquartered in Hartford, CT. Hartford offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

Hartford has a popular insurance program for drivers 55 years old or older, in partnership with AARP. Membership in AARP is required to be eligible for the Hartford/ AARP auto and home insurance program.

2021 market share for Hartford Insurance:

Hartford is not among the ten largest auto insurers or the ten largest home insurers in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Hartford Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Hartford is not consistently better than the industry average. If Hartford has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Hartford Insurance:

Hartford sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout New Jersey. There may be a discount for buying online from Hartford, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Hartford Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.thehartford.com/


6. Homesite Insurance

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Homesite Insurance sells homeowners, condominium, and renters insurance direct to the public through its website and by phone. Homesite partners with GEICO & Progressive to allow these companies to offer Homesite insurance to their auto insurance customers. Liberty Mutual, through its Comparion Insurance Agency, also may offer Homesite insurance. Homesite is available in most US states.

In 2013, American Family Insurance purchased Homesite Insurance. Homesite continues to operate as a separate brand, but the Homesite website links to another American Family subsidiary website and separate brand, called CONNECT, for auto insurance quotes. Homesite does not offer its own vehicle insurance.

2021 market share for Homesite Insurance:

Homesite is the sixth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Homesite Insurance:

The 2019-2021 home insurance complaint record for Homesite is not consistently better than the industry average. It is recommended to check recent customer reviews online before choosing Homesite Insurance to insure your home. You can click this link to see Homesite Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website. Since you will not likely have an agent to help you if you have a problem, you may not want to choose Homesite unless there is a significant price savings or much better coverage.

How to buy a policy from Homesite Insurance:

Homesite Insurance can be purchased direct from the company through its website or by phone and from its partner companies. Most Homesite partner companies (GEICO and Progressive are the largest) do not have personal agents to service your policy. If you are going to buy Homesite Insurance, buy it from a personal agent if possible. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from Homesite.

You can find an agent in New Jersey representing Homesite at the Comparion Insurance website listed under Liberty Mutual Insurance below.


7. Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual Insurance Group is a heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for auto and home insurance, available in most US states. Founded in 1912, the Liberty Mutual home office is in Boston, MA. Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

Liberty Mutual also owns Safeco Insurance, which operates as a separate brand, and is sold through independent insurance agencies. In 2022, Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto Insurance, which is also available through independent agents in many states. Safeco and State Auto are not available in New Jersey.

2021 market share for Liberty Mutual Insurance:

Liberty Mutual is the seventh largest auto insurer and the fourth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Liberty Mutual Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Liberty Mutual is not consistently better than the industry average. If Liberty Mutual has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Liberty Mutual Insurance:

Liberty Mutual sells its insurance direct from the company and through its own group of Liberty Mutual agents operating from sales offices in one or more New Jersey communities. Liberty Mutual agents also represent other auto & home insurance companies through Comparion Insurance Agency, a national agency owned by Liberty Mutual. There may be a discount for buying online from Liberty Mutual, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Liberty Mutual website to learn more about the company and get a price quote online:

https://www.libertymutual.com/

But a Liberty Mutual agent may be able to get you the lowest rate!

Find a Liberty Mutual agent in New Jersey at the Comparion Insurance website:

https://www.comparioninsurance.com/


8. New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM)

NJM sells its personal insurance direct to the public through its website and by phone, but may also be available from a small group of NJM exclusive agents, according to the NJM website. NJM auto & home insurance is available only to Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania residents. Founded in 1913, NJM is headquartered in West Trenton, NJ. NJM has traditionally marketed its auto & home insurance as an employee benefit through partnering with a wide group of companies.

NJM offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. NJM partners with American Modern Insurance to offer classic / antique car, motorcycle, recreational vehicle (ATVs, etc.), and watercraft / boat insurance.

2021 market share for NJM Insurance:

NJM Insurance is the third largest auto insurer and the third largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for NJM Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for NJM is consistently much better than the industry average.

How to buy a policy from NJM Insurance:

Contact NJM to get a price quote from its website or by calling the company. Before buying, ask if there is an exclusive agent you can contact to buy from and have as an agent to service your policy. Get a quote or learn more about NJM at their website linked here:

https://www.njm.com/


9. Plymouth Rock Assurance (Palisades Group)

Palisades Safety & Insurance Association was founded in 1992 by Plymouth Rock Assurance to expand its operation into New Jersey. In 2003, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association acquired Prudential Property & Casualty Insurance Company of New Jersey and renamed it High Point. In 2007, Lancer Casualty Company was acquired by High Point and renamed Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey. Palisades Group also includes Palisades Safety & Insurance Association, Palisades Insurance Company, Palisades Property & Casualty Insurance Company, the High Point companies, and Rider Insurance Company (insuring motorcycles & ATVs). In 2011, the Palisades Group companies were rebranded and are now a part of Plymouth Rock Assurance.

Palisades Group operates in New Jersey only and offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. Teachers in NJ may be eligible for discounted rates through its Teachers Insurance Plan of NJ.

2021 market share for Plymouth Rock Assurance:

Plymouth Rock Assurance/Palisades Group is the sixth largest auto insurer and the eighth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Plymouth Rock Assurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for the Palisades Group companies is consistently better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.

How to buy a policy from Plymouth Rock Assurance:

Plymouth Rock Assurance/Palisades Group sells its insurance through independent insurance agencies and from select Prudential financial representatives with offices in communities throughout New Jersey. There is no discount or lower rate for getting a price quote from the Plymouth Rock Assurance website or any other website.

Check out the Plymouth Rock Assurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.plymouthrock.com/


10. Progressive Insurance

Progressive, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, but is also available from most independent insurance agencies, operates in almost all US states. Established in 1937, Progressive is headquartered in Mayfield, OH.

Like GEICO, Progressive underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. However, in 2015, Progressive bought controlling interest in American Strategic Insurance (ASI), which it now uses as its primary home insurer. If Progressive sells you a policy not underwritten by Progressive or ASI, they are acting as an agent and not as your insurance company. For example, Progressive represents Homesite Insurance and sells its homeowners insurance. If Progressive sells you a Homesite homeowners insurance policy, Progressive is your agent and Homesite is the insurance company insuring your home.

2021 market share for Progressive Insurance:

Progressive is the second largest auto insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for ASI & Progressive Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for ASI & Progressive is not consistently better than the industry average. If Progressive has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue. If you choose to buy direct from Progressive, your price savings needs to be significant, for it to be worth you having to fix claims or service problems on your own. Check out recent Progressive customers reviews online to see what problems may come up when you buy direct. Click this link to see Progressive Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.

How to buy a policy from Progressive Insurance:

If you want to find the best price with Progressive, you want to get a price quote direct from the company and from a local independent insurance agent representing Progressive. It may be counter-intuitive, but an agent may have the best rates for you. Also, the agent represents other companies that may have better rates for you than Progressive. Always check with an agent first, then check to see if there is a lower rate for buying direct saving you enough money to be worth not having an agent.

Check out the Progressive Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.progressive.com/


11. State Farm Insurance

State Farm is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is the largest auto & home insurer in many US states. Founded in 1922, the headquarters for State Farm is in Bloomington, IL. State Farm offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

In 2021, State Farm purchased GAINSCO, a nonstandard auto insurance company operating in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. GAINSCO continues to operate as a separate brand and is available through independent insurance agencies appointed to represent GAINSCO. State Farm agents may not yet offer GAINSCO nonstandard auto insurance. State Farm itself does not offer nonstandard auto insurance, which insures drivers with a poor driving record, too many claims, or other circumstances making them ineligible for standard auto insurance.

2021 market share for State Farm Insurance:

State Farm is the fifth largest auto insurer and the second largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for State Farm Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for State Farm is not consistently better than the industry average. If State Farm has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from State Farm Insurance:

State Farm sells its insurance through its own network of State Farm agents with offices located in communities throughout New Jersey. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or getting a quote online from the State Farm website.

Check out the State Farm Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.statefarm.com/


12. Travelers Insurance

Travelers Insurance is a group of insurance companies available in most US states and is not as well-known as other brands, as it does not advertise as much as some other major auto and home insurance companies. Founded in 1853, Travelers Insurance is headquartered in New York City, NY. Travelers offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Travelers Insurance:

Travelers is the ninth largest auto insurer and the fifth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for Travelers Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Travelers is not consistently better than the industry average. If Travelers has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Travelers Insurance:

Travelers sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout New Jersey. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or getting a quote online from the Travelers website.

The best way to get a price quote for Travelers Insurance:

Check out the Travelers Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.travelers.com/


13. USAA Insurance

USAA is a group of insurance companies providing financial services to active US military & veterans. Established in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, TX. USAA insurance and banking products are not available if you do not meet its membership requirements.

To be considered for USAA insurance, you must be eligible for membership in USAA, most commonly by being a current military member or honorably discharged veteran, immediate family member of someone in the military, or a former policyholder. .

USAA offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. For some common types of personal insurance, USAA partners with other companies. For example, USAA partners with Progressive for motorcycle insurance. Be sure to know which company is actually insuring you before buying insurance from USAA.

2021 market share for USAA Insurance:

Despite its restricted membership, USAA is the eighth largest auto insurer and the ninth largest home insurer in New Jersey.

Complaint record for USAA Insurance:

Contrary to its long reputation for superior service, the 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for USAA is not consistently better than the industry average. Since you will not have an agent to help you if you have a problem, be sure to see what USAA customers are saying about the company online before choosing USAA. You can click this link to see USAA Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.

How to buy a policy from USAA Insurance:

The only way to buy a policy or get a price quote is from the USAA website or calling the company. USAA sells direct and does not use agents. Learn more about USAA and its eligibility requirements at their website linked here:

https://www.usaa.com/?wa_ref=pub_global_home


Chubb is the seventh largest home insurance company in New Jersey, available from a select group of independent insurance agents throughout the state, insuring high value homes only and specializing in the personal insurance needs of high net worth individuals and families. If this sounds like you, you can find out more about Chubb at its website linked here:

https://www.chubb.com/us-en/


Do not make this mistake when shopping for auto or home insurance:

Most insurance shoppers do not check with enough companies and do not contact any independent agents. There are more auto and home insurance companies available in New Jersey. Some companies, not among the companies with the largest auto or home insurance market share in the state, were not included in this shopping guide. These companies include large US brands you may know, like Nationwide Insurance or Safeco, as well as some smaller, regional companies with better than average complaint records you may not have heard of, such as the Andover Companies, Narragansett Bay Insurance Company, and Preferred Mutual Insurance Company. Many of these companies, including Andover, Nationwide, Narragansett Bay, Preferred Mutual, & Safeco, are available through independent agents across New Jersey. The agents you find through the Chubb, Cincinnati, Comparion (Liberty Mutual), Hartford, Plymouth Rock Assurance, Progressive, & Travelers websites are independent agents representing other companies. Make sure you check with agents representing each of the companies listed in this shopping guide to help you find the insurance agent with the best combination of coverage, service, and price for you.

There are a few more important auto and home insurance companies, not available through most independent agents, you can find out about here in my supplemental auto & home insurance guide.

Why can you rely on my guides to help you find the best insurance companies for you? Check out my webpage explaining the sources of the information I use in my auto & home insurance guides, how I use the information, and what it should mean to you, to help you best use this guide.