New Jersey had a homeownership rate of 64.2% in 2022, which is just below the national average of 65.7%. 1 2 Homeowners in New Jersey face unique risks, as the state’s location on the country’s eastern coast makes it prone to hurricanes and intense storms called nor’easters. Homeowners insurance is key to protecting your home against these disasters.
The average annual cost of homeowners insurance in New Jersey is $1,207 for $300,000 in dwelling coverage with a $1,000 deductible, according to Insurify data. But it’s possible to get a policy at a lower cost.
Here’s what you should know about comparing home insurance rates in New Jersey to help you find the right coverage at the right price.
The average cost of homeowner’s insurance in New Jersey is $1,328 for $300,000 in dwelling coverage with a $500 deductible.
Selective Insurance, Cumberland Insurance, and US Coastal offer some of the cheapest home insurance in New Jersey.
New Jersey is prone to floods, nor’easters, and tropical storms or hurricanes that can lead to insurance claims.
Best home insurance companies in New Jersey
Many trusted home insurance companies provide coverage to New Jersey residents. The companies highlighted below provide affordable dwelling and personal property coverage, as well as solid customer service, for a fair price.
Best insurer for cheapest rates: Selective Insurance
Selective Insurance offers many policy options, including homeowners insurance, flood insurance, auto insurance, and business insurance. Owners of the 953,000 small businesses in New Jersey3 might consider this company to get their homeowners insurance policy and professional coverage from the same insurer to qualify for additional discounts.
Offers many types of personal and business coverage
Network of independent local agents can provide in-person support
Premiums are higher than some competitors
Low ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website
Best insurer for new builds: Cumberland Insurance Group
Cumberland Insurance Group offers a special coverage discount for new construction homes. With 2,507 permits for the construction of new private housing units authorized in December 2023, thousands of Jersey residents can take advantage of this opportunity to save extra on insuring their new space.4
In-person support available from local agents throughout New Jersey
Multiple opportunities to earn discounted rates
Premiums aren’t the lowest in the state
Only available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
Best insurer for coastal homes: US Coastal
US Coastal offers insurance in New Jersey and New York. Cabrillo Coastal General Insurance Agency administers policies, and the company is dedicated to helping people in hurricane-prone areas find coverage. New Jersey’s 7.1 million coastal residents might want to consider this company for its sophisticated pricing techniques and innovative claims-handling process that help protect them against storms at an affordable rate.
Large network of 200 adjusters
Expertise in high-risk areas
Premiums are higher than some competitors
Available in only 12 states
Best insurer for specialty coverages: Chubb
Based in New Jersey, Chubb is the largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company in the world, with an A++ rating from AM Best for financial stability. Chubb provides a number of insurance products, including home, renters, condo, co-op, auto, travel, boat, and natural disaster coverage. The insurer also offers bespoke coverage options for home offices, farms, and ranches. Chubb offers premium homeowners coverage through Chubb Masterpiece. The insurer has a low 0.12 rating on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index, compared to the 1.00 average.
Chubb Masterpiece offers a premium level of coverage for high-net-worth homeowners with significant assets
Adjusters respond to claims within 24 hours and can issue payment within 48 hours
Coverage available in all 50 states
Involved in 2023 class action citing misleading home premium discounts
Must get a quote through an agent
Coverage may not be right for lower-value homes
Cheapest home insurance in New Jersey
The cheapest home insurer in New Jersey is Travelers, which offers average monthly premiums that are less than half of the state’s overall average.
But several other companies also offer affordable coverage in the Garden State, as you can see in the table below.
Cost of homeowners insurance in New Jersey
The average monthly premium for New Jersey homeowners is $1,328 for a policy with a $500 deductible that offers $300,000 in dwelling coverage, Insurify data shows.
But costs vary based on your coverage needs. Average premiums for homeowners who need only $200,000 in dwelling coverage are just $852, while homeowners who need $500,000 in coverage pay an average of $1,752 per year.
Dwelling coverage limits are just one of many different factors that affect average homeowners insurance premiums. Your location, the age of your home, the types of homeowners insurance coverage you purchase, and home safety features also influence insurance prices in New Jersey.
Cost of homeowners insurance by dwelling coverage amount
When you buy homeowners insurance, you must buy a certain amount of dwelling coverage. The insurer pays up to that amount to repair or replace your home after a covered loss. The more dwelling coverage you need, the larger a potential payout would be — and the higher the premiums you’ll pay because of the added risk to the insurer of a large claim.
The table below shows how much you can expect to pay for a policy in New Jersey with a $1,000 deductible, based on your dwelling coverage amount.
Cost of homeowners insurance by deductible
You’ll have to pay a deductible when you make a covered homeowners insurance claim. If you have a $500 deductible and your house suffers $1,500 in damage, you’d pay the first $500 in repairs and your insurer would cover the rest.
The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums will be because insurers won’t pay as much for a covered claim. On the other hand, a lower deductible results in higher premiums. But if a disaster happens, you won’t be out as much money.
The table below shows average yearly home insurance costs based on deductible amount with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
How to get cheap homeowners insurance in New Jersey
You can take steps to save on homeowner’s insurance premiums in New Jersey. Here are some tips to help you get cheap home insurance coverage in the Garden State:5
Bundle multiple insurance policies. If you buy several insurance products from the same company — such as homeowners insurance, condo insurance, or auto insurance — you’ll typically get discounts on both policies. Generally, the more policies you can bundle, the greater the savings.
Shop for coverage. Getting quotes from several home insurance companies allows you to find the one offering the lowest price for your situation. You can shop for quotes online. Just be sure you’re choosing the same types of homeowners insurance coverage with each insurer to compare similar policies.
Install safety or security devices. Having safety and security devices in your home, like smoke detectors and alarm systems, makes the chances of a large claim less likely, so they result in reduced premiums. Installing them can be one of the best ways to reduce costs since they also make your house safer.
Keep your home systems upgraded. New roofs, new windows, and new HVAC systems can all result in lower premiums because they reduce the chances of a large claim. Keeping your home updated is a good choice, as it helps you get affordable insurance and protects your property’s value.
Increase your deductible. While you’d have to pay more if a covered event happens, you can reduce your monthly premiums by choosing a policy with a higher deductible. Think carefully about how much you can afford to pay out of pocket if you have to make a claim, and choose a policy with the highest deductible you’re comfortable with.
How much homeowners insurance do you need in New Jersey?
If you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to buy homeowners insurance. Your lender can help you determine how much dwelling coverage you need.6 This protects against covered damages to your home’s structure.
A standard home insurance policy will also cover your personal property, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough coverage to protect against losses or damage to items such as your furniture or electronics. Creating an inventory of your personal items can give you a good estimate of how much coverage to get.
Your insurance agent can also help you figure out how much liability coverage to include in your policy so that your assets are safe if someone is hurt at your home and makes a claim against you. You’ll also want to make sure you have additional living expenses coverage, which can help pay for expenses like hotel stays if you can’t live in your home while it’s being repaired.
It’s important to know exactly what your home insurance policy covers so you can put all the protections in place that you want. For example, all standard homeowners insurance policies in New Jersey exclude flood insurance. If your home is in a flood zone or you’re worried about water damage from storms, you’d want to look into flood coverage as one of your add-ons.
What are some of the biggest risks when owning a home in New Jersey?
These are some of the biggest potential dangers that New Jersey homeowners face:
New Jersey homeowners insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for home insurance in New Jersey, the additional information below may help as you research coverage options.
How much is home insurance in New Jersey?
Home insurance in New Jersey costs an average of $1,207 per year with a $1,000 deductible and $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That rate increases slightly to $1,328 per year with a $500 deductible and $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurify data.
Which company has the cheapest homeowners insurance in New Jersey?
With an average monthly premium of just $69, Travelers has the cheapest homeowners insurance in New Jersey. But the cheapest home insurance company for you will depend on many factors, including your ZIP code, the age of your home, your deductible amount, and the coverage levels you choose.
Does New Jersey require homeowners insurance?
No. Home insurance isn’t required by law in New Jersey or in any other state, but your lender will require home insurance if you have a mortgage on your home. Even if your home is paid off, having home insurance is a good idea. If you don’t have it, you’ll be on the hook financially for any damages or home repairs.
What does a standard New Jersey home insurance policy cover?
A standard New Jersey home insurance policy will cover your home’s structure, personal belongings, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if you can’t live in your home while it’s being repaired due to a covered disaster.9 Talk to your insurance agent about what coverage levels are right for you, and ask whether you should consider any add-on coverages.