According to the most recent statistics from the NJ Department of Transportation, Garden State drivers were involved in a whopping 278,413 crashes in 2018. Bergen County alone saw a total of 29,459 of those crashes. If you’ve been a New Jersey driver for any length of time, you know that the state’s highways can be dangerous places. And it’s no surprise that as one of the nation’s most densely populated states, the risk of experiencing a collision can run high, especially in areas of high density. It could be argued that New Jersey collision insurance is an important consideration in the Garden State because the stakes are a bit higher.
What is collision insurance for?
Collision insurance in NJ can help you cover physical damage that your car sustains in accidents from rollover crashes to parking lot fender-benders to hitting stationary objects like trees or mailboxes.
While it’s not a state-mandated auto insurance coverage, it can be a beneficial addition to your auto policy. Learn more about what it covers, how it may be helpful, and how it fits into your overall auto insurance protection plan.
What does it cover?
Most covered situations in which your car is damaged by a crash with a stationary object or another car will be handled by the collision portion of your auto insurance. However, any damage you may cause to someone else’s car is usually covered by the property damage portion of your liability coverage. Collision insurance covers damage that your car sustains, while property damage liability covers damage that you may cause.
It’s also good to remember that collision doesn’t cover wear and tear or mechanical breakdown. It also won’t cover damage from theft, vandalism, fire, flood or hitting an animal — those situations typically fall under comprehensive coverage.
Why do I need collision insurance?
Collision coverage, like comprehensive coverage, is not mandatory for most vehicles. However, you will typically need to add it to your policy if you financed the purchase of your car or you lease your vehicle. If you have a loan for your car and are currently paying it off, your lender still technically owns the car and may require that you carry collision coverage.
If you financed or leased your car and opt to forgo collision coverage, lenders may, in some situations, purchase the coverage for you, add the cost to your loan/lease and increase the amount of money you pay for your vehicle. You can save money by getting a collision quote and purchasing it on your own.
Even if you don’t have a vehicle loan or lease, it can be a smart purchase. If you’re not required to purchase the coverage, the decision to buy it will be different for everyone. Your accident history, where you typically drive and how much time you spend behind the wheel are all factors that can affect your decision. A major factor for your decision will be the current value of your car relative to your ability to replace or repair it out of pocket following a collision. If you drive an older car that would not cost much to replace, you may have reason to forego buying collision coverage. If your vehicle still has a high value and a more expensive replacement or repair cost, you will want to look more closely at adding collision coverage to your policy. Our licensed sales professionals and local agents can help you evaluate the costs and benefits of collision coverage.
Plymouth Rock Assurance® and Plymouth Rock® are brand names and service marks used by separate underwriting, managed insurance, and management companies that offer property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Insurance in New Jersey is offered by Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey on behalf of High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Palisades Insurance Company, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association and their affiliates. Each company is a separate legal entity that is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each separate company.
Call 855-993-4470, get your free quote online or find a local agent to see how Plymouth Rock Assurance can help you find the best auto insurance bodily injury coverage. If you need additional information, please visit our Contact Us page.
