What You Need To Know About New Jersey Car Insurance Laws

What You Need To Know About New Jersey Car Insurance Laws

In New Jersey, all drivers are required to carry car insurance. There are several options available to you when you are shopping for your policy. Having a good insurance policy in place can offer you the protection that you need if you are involved in a car accident. At Elmer’s Auto Body, we have been helping Garden State residents with processing your insurance claims so that you can get your needed repairs completed on your vehicles.

Auto insurance requirements in New Jersey

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Under the laws of New Jersey, all vehicles must have personal injury protection, liability and uninsured and underinsured motorists protection coverage in place. At a minimum, motorists who opt for the standard automobile insurance policies must have $15,000 bodily injury coverage and $30,000 maximum per accident. The minimum coverage for property damage liability in the state is $5,000. People must also carry a minimum of $15,000 in personal injury protection. The state also requires you to have a minimum of $15,000 per person of underinsured and uninsured motorists bodily injury coverage with $30,000 per accident. You must also have at least $5,000 worth of uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage for property damage. If you suffer very serious injuries, your policy may pay up to $250,000.

Standard Policy

The Standard policy option has a higher premium but offers more extensive coverage.

With the Standard policy, you get a minimum of:

  • $15,000 of bodily injury liability (BDL) insurance per person, per accident. This coverage will pay for injuries to anyone not in your car if you cause a car crash.
  • $30,000 of BDL for multiple injured people per accident.
  • $5,000 of PDL per accident.
  • $15,000 of PIP per person in a car accident.
  • Up to $250,000 of PIP for severe or permanent injuries.

Basic Policy

There is also a basic automobile policy available in the state, but it offers less coverage. With this policy, you will have coverage of $5,000 in property damage liability per accident. You will also have personal injury protection of $15,000 per person up to a maximum of $30,000 per accident. Finally, if you suffer very serious injuries in an accident, your basic coverage will pay up to $250,000.

The Basic policy option is the more affordable insurance package; however, it offers limited coverage, including:

  • $5,000 of property damage liability (PDL) per accident. This covers damage you may have caused to someone’s property in a car crash.
  • $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) per person, per accident. This coverage pays for injuries you suffer in a car crash.
  • Up to $250,000 for very severe injuries, such as permanent brain injuries.

NOTE: Bodily injury liability (BDL) coverage is not included in the Basic policy; however, policyholders are offered the option to purchase $10,000 of BDL coverage.

Limited tort vs. full tort

When you purchase your insurance coverage, you will have the option to choose either limited tort or full tort with the standard insurance policy. If you choose the full tort option, you will be able to file a lawsuit against a negligent party for the pain and suffering that you were caused in the accident. The limited tort option doesn’t allow you to sue the negligent party for pain and suffering unless your injury was especially severe or catastrophic.

Getting help with insurance claims

If your vehicle was damaged in an accident, you will need to have it repaired. It is important for you to understand your insurance policy. Elmer’s Auto Body is able to help you to file your claim with the insurance company so that you can get the repairs that you need. Call us today to schedule your appointment.

Understanding Car Accident Repair Cost Averages

Understanding Car Accident Repair Cost Averages

After an accident, once you know everyone is okay, your thoughts turn to the damage to your vehicle. Not knowing what to expect when it comes to the cost of repairs can be stressful. On top of that, you may be concerned about what will happen with their insurance, wondering about deductibles, how it will affect premiums and how much of the repair will be covered. Gaining an understanding of how repair costs are determined can help ease your concerns while also providing you with information that will confirm the quotes you are given are fair and accurate.

Minor Damages

If your vehicle has minor damage it is possible that modern technology will allow technicians to repair the damage with no need for paint. Elmer’s Auto Body offers paintless body repair that uses no body filler and no sanding. This means there is no need for painting which saves you time and money. In some cases, your repair may cost as little as $500.

Minor Damages Requiring Paint

If just one panel of your vehicle is damaged, like a bumper or fender, you may still see a relatively small repair bill. Although painting will be necessary, labor may be less intensive which can also save time and money. Estimates should average as low as $500 or as much as $1,500 although some estimates could be higher depending on the panel that is damaged.

Damage to Multiple Panels

If the damage is to more than one panel of the vehicle, costs can rise rather quickly. At minimum, you should expect a $1,500 estimate but it could go as high as $4,000. The body shop will need to replace or repair the panels. If they can be repaired, there will probably be body filler and sanding which means the technicians will need to paint. If the entire car cannot be painted, they can use computer systems that will match the paint on the rest of the car.

Damage that Can Affect Drivability

If your car has sustained damage that is not only cosmetic but also affects how your car drives will lead to extremely expensive repair bills. Depending on how severe the mechanical damage is, you could be facing a repair bill that will start at $4,000 but will more than likely be significantly higher.

Damage That Leaves Your Car Undrivable

If your car cannot be driven at all, you will more than likely see cost estimates that start as high as $6,000 or more. A car that has been damaged to the point it cannot be driven will require auto body technicians and mechanics who have extensive experience repairing such damage. This means their labor costs will be much higher, but they will be more likely to return your car to its pre-damaged condition. It is possible that when your insurance company receives your estimate, they may decide to “total” your car. A car is totaled when the cost to fix the vehicle exceeds the value of the car. In New Jersey, insurance companies use a total loss formula. This means that the cost of repairs plus scrap value must equal what the car was worth prior to the accident. If this should happen, the insurance company will not repair your car but pay you for the value instead.

If your car has been damaged in a collision, contact Elmer’s Auto Body to set up an appointment. You can reach us by phone or by filling out the easy form online.