The vehicle model requiring insurance is a large factor when shopping for the best cheap auto insurance for felons. Vehicles with high performance features, poor safety ratings, or a history of substantial liability claims will cost more to insure than safer, lower-performance models. The next table illustrates auto insurance premiums for a handful of the most cost-effective automobiles to insure.
| Vehicle | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Ford Escape Limited 4WD | $1,612 |
| Honda CR-V EX 2WD | $1,629 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 2WD | $1,662 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 2.5 Station Wagon | $1,769 |
| Toyota Prius | $1,807 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan SE | $1,818 |
| Chevrolet Impala LTZ | $1,851 |
| Toyota Camry SE | $1,859 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD | $1,884 |
| GMC Sierra SLT Crew Cab 2WD | $1,892 |
| Ford Edge SEL AWD | $1,887 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LT Crew Cab 2WD | $1,917 |
| Toyota RAV4 Sport 2WD | $1,922 |
| Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4WD | $1,961 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LT 2WD | $1,983 |
| Honda Accord EX-L 2-Dr Coupe | $2,010 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | $2,015 |
| Ford Fusion Sport AWD 4-Dr Sedan | $2,013 |
| Hyundai Elantra Blue 4-Dr Sedan | $2,030 |
| Hyundai Sonata GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $2,060 |
| Nissan Rogue S AWD | $2,069 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab Platinum 2WD | $2,068 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LTZ | $2,074 |
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Premium data assumes single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and New Jersey minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in zip code location which can revise insurance rates significantly.
Based upon the rates shown, models like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Ford Explorer, and Volkswagen Jetta will definitely be some of the most affordable vehicles to insure for felons.
One of the more important considerations that determine auto insurance rates is where you keep your car. Areas with a lot of weather claims or more people will most likely have higher rates, whereas areas with less people or fewer weather incidents benefit from having to pay less for coverage.
The next table rates the most expensive places in New Jersey for felons to buy car insurance in. Jersey City is ranked #11 with the annual price of $2,253 for the average insured, which is around $188 each month.
| Rank | City | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark | $2,598 |
| 2 | East Orange | $2,521 |
| 3 | Elizabeth | $2,470 |
| 4 | Union City | $2,450 |
| 5 | West New York | $2,431 |
| 6 | Paterson | $2,400 |
| 7 | Passaic | $2,371 |
| 8 | Kearny | $2,358 |
| 9 | Hoboken | $2,307 |
| 10 | Clifton | $2,276 |
| 11 | Jersey City | $2,253 |
| 12 | Bayonne | $2,251 |
| 13 | Camden | $2,155 |
| 14 | Fort Lee | $2,144 |
| 15 | Perth Amboy | $2,102 |
| 16 | Linden | $2,099 |
| 17 | Atlantic City | $2,044 |
| 18 | Hackensack | $1,921 |
| 19 | Plainfield | $1,918 |
| 20 | Trenton | $1,896 |
| 21 | Sayreville | $1,882 |
| 22 | New Brunswick | $1,875 |
| 23 | Vineland | $1,860 |
| 24 | Lakewood | $1,819 |
| 25 | Toms River | $1,725 |
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Information shown are comparative as the specific area where the vehicle is garaged can affect premium rates noticeably.
Does full coverage make sense?
Saving on auto insurance is important to most vehicle owners, and an effective way to find cheap insurance for felons is to only buy liability insurance. The example below visualizes the comparison of car insurance rates with full coverage and liability only. The rates are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $500 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are factored in.
On average, comp and collision coverage costs $2,257 per year over and above liability only. Many drivers may wonder if you should buy full coverage. There is no written rule of when to drop physical damage coverage, but there is a broad guideline. If the yearly cost for physical damage coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s assume your vehicle’s replacement cost is $9,500 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $8,500 after you pay the deductible. If you are currently paying more than $850 annually for full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are some cases where dropping full coverage is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to carry full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should not buy liability only.
Driving violations and accidents
The easiest way to maintain the best auto insurance rates for felons is to drive carefully and avoid accidents and traffic violations. The chart below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault claims influence insurance prices for each different age category. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
The data above shows the average cost of auto insurance in New Jersey per year with no violations or accidents is $1,939. Add in two speeding tickets and the average cost jumps to $2,757, an increase of $818 each year. Then include one accident along with the two speeding tickets and the yearly cost of auto insurance for felons increases to an average of $3,573. That’s an increase of $1,634, or $136 per month, just for not being attentive to the road!
Selecting the best insurance company is difficult considering how many companies there are to choose from in New Jersey. The ranking data listed below may help you choose which insurers to look at to insure your vehicles. These rankings only include the largest companies in the United States, so companies that focus mainly on New Jersey business are not taken into consideration for the list.
Top 10 Major Auto Insurance Companies in Jersey City Ranked by A.M. Best Rating
- GEICO – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- USAA – A++
- Allstate – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Mercury Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- The Hartford – A+
- Esurance – A+
Top 10 Major Auto Insurance Companies Overall in Jersey City
- Mercury Insurance
- The Hartford
- Progressive
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Farmers Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- USAA
- GEICO
- 21st Century
Tips to find economical insurance for felons
The list below summarizes a few penny-pinching ideas that can help Jersey City drivers find more affordable coverage.
- Do not get tickets or violations
- Save money by insuring your home and auto with the same company
- Prevent rate increases by staying accident-free
- Safe vehicles generally have lower rates
- Having too many claims will increase rates substantially
- Compare rates regularly to ensure the best deal
The last tip in the list is incredibly significant, as we hit on in this article. Coverage rates change constantly, so drivers shouldn’t be resistant to switch to a new company if a lower price can be found. Having brand loyalty is commendable, but it’s not recommended if that loyalty ends up costing several hundred dollars every year. It only takes a couple minutes to compare rates and find cheaper car insurance for felons in Jersey City.