New Jersey Manufacturers Auto Insurance Review

Pros Explained

• High customer satisfaction ratings: New Jersey Manufacturers Group has high customer satisfaction ratings, including being rated #4 in customer service by JD Power for the mid-Atlantic region. 
• Online quotes available: New Jersey Manufacturers Group allows potential customers to obtain quotes online, giving them the option to see what coverage may cost them and more easily compare to competitors.
• Unique discounts: New Jersey Manufacturers offers several unique discounts, including defensive driving, mature driver, and driver training discount. 

Cons Explained

• Only available in a few select states: New Jersey Manufacturers Group only provides personal insurance in five states: Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
• Roadside assistance costs additional: Roadside assistance is available 24/7 for certain qualified incidents, but it will cost either $75 or $125 per emergency, and no deductible applies to the coverage. 
• No online purchase option: Policies can only be purchased over the phone or through an agent. 

Introduction

New Jersey Manufacturers Group offers eight types of auto insurance coverage, including liability, medical expenses, underinsured and uninsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, classic and collector car, motorcycle and ATV, and boat and personal watercraft insurance. You can add roadside assistance coverage to any auto policy and file claims 24/7 via its online portal.

Company Overview

New Jersey Manufacturers Casualty Insurance Company was founded in 1913. It was originally created to provide workers with workers’ compensation. Since then, its offerings have expanded to include auto, homeowners, condo, renters, and personal umbrella insurance. New Jersey Manufacturers Group only offers personal coverage in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Types of Coverage

New Jersey Manufacturers Group offers eight types of auto insurance coverage, but coverage types and levels may vary by state.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage through NJM may pay out if you injure someone in an accident or damage their car or another form of property to compensate them for the damages and injuries you caused. It can also pay for a lawyer if you are sued.

Medical Expenses

This type of coverage, also known as MedPay, may cover your medical expenses after an accident.

Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist

If you get in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for the damages, this policy may pay what you’re owed. Property damage may be included, depending on coverage type and state.

Collison

This basic insurance may pay to repair or replace your vehicle after damage from a collision with another vehicle or object. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance through NJM helps pay for damage that collision insurance doesn’t cover. This could be from theft, vandalism, flooding, fire, a broken windshield, or a collision with an animal.

Classic and Collector Car

Offered through American Modern, a nationwide specialty insurance provider for classic or collector cars, this coverage includes exotics and muscle cars, restorations, race cars, tractors, military vehicles, and more.

Motorcycle and ATV

This policy from American Modern will cover your motorcycle, dirt bike, ATV, snowmobile, or golf cart, among a few other vehicles. With motorcycle and ATV insurance, you may be eligible for homeowners and multi-bike discounts.

Boat and Personal Watercraft 

This policy includes liability and physical damage insurance for watercraft up to 64 feet in length, 120 m.p.h., and $1 million in value. The insurance cost will vary depending on factors like location, boat size, and type of boat, but discounts are available. American Modern offers this insurance.

Discounts

New Jersey Manufacturers Group offers several discounts, but availability may change based on location.

Defensive Driving (NJ)

The defensive driving discount is available for those who take a defensive driving class or online course approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The discount applies to liability, personal injury protection (PIP), and collision premiums for up to three years.

Driver Training Discount (CT, MD, NJ, and PA Only)

The driver training discount is available if you provide the necessary eligibility paperwork, which you can do through your online account or by email.

Electronic Payment Discount

You can get an easy discount by signing up for automatic electronic payments.

Full Coverage

If you carry both collision and comprehensive insurance, you’ll receive a discount. 

Good Student Discount

This discount is available to high school and college students, and you can qualify in a few different ways, like being on the honor roll or dean’s list or earning at least a B average or a 3.0 GPA.

Home and Auto Bundle

You can save on your policy if you add auto insurance to your NJM homeowners, condo, or renters insurance.

Mature Driver 

If you’re over a certain age and take a qualified course, you’re eligible for a discount, but documentation is required. 

Multi-Vehicle Discount

If two or more vehicles are insured through NJM on the same policy, you’ll receive a discount. 

New Car Discount

You may be rewarded with a discount if your car is two model years old or newer.

Paid in Full Discount

Like many insurers, if you pay your NJM bill in full, rather than monthly, you’ll receive a discount. 

Paperless Discount (CT, MD, OH, and PA Only) 

Receive a discount for getting your documents electronically. 

Vehicle Safety Equipment Discount

If your vehicle has an anti-theft or vehicle recovery device, anti-lock brakes, or passive restraints, you’re eligible for a discount. 

Payment Options

 New Jersey Manufacturers Group customers can pay for their policy in the following ways:

• Online: Customers can log in to their dashboard to set up automatic bill pay and also make a one-time payment without logging in. 
• Online bill pay service: Customers can choose NJM as the payee for their policy and have their bank pay their premium directly for them.
• By phone: By using the automated phone system, customers can pay their bills from their checking, savings, or credit/debit card. 
• By mail: Customers can pay their bill through the mail by sending in a check with the policy number on it.
• Payment in full: Customers will receive a discount if they pay their bill in full versus paying monthly. 
  

Loss Ratio

The loss ratio of a company helps gauge how financially strong it is at any given time. New Jersey Manufacturers Group has a loss ratio of 61.42 %, which is on the lower end among similar insurers. A higher loss ratio of claims/premiums can indicate financial distress, and this is not the case with the company. According to internal research, its average annual premium is $1,694.00, which is the fifth cheapest out of the 25 companies ranked.

Extra Features

New Jersey Manufacturers Group has several features that help them stand out from the competition. For starters, online quotes are available, making it convenient for potential customers to compare NJM to other companies. The company also offers gap insurance, which pays for some or all of the difference between the balance of a loan or lease on a vehicle and what NJM is willing to pay to replace the vehicle if it is considered a total loss.

New Jersey Manufacturers Group's roadside assistance program offers 24/7 service for a flat tire, dead battery, no fuel, or getting locked out of your car. The company also has Transportation Expense Enrollment, where customers can purchase increased limits for rental reimbursement if the vehicle is in a covered loss. Note: NJM’s transportation expense endorsement is only available for vehicles with physical damage (comprehensive and collision) coverage.

The company is also involved in keeping teens safe while driving, offering a free driver safety program called the Teen Driver Safety Program, available at no cost to schools in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The company also sponsors several safe driving initiatives, including the Just Drive Pledge, where teenagers pledge to avoid distractions, and the U Got Brains Champion Schools program, in which schools compete for $10,000 to use towards school safety programs.

Customer Service

New Jersey Manufacturers Group has several ways for customers to get in touch. The company has a service line that customers can call at 1-800-232-6600 from Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EST. There is also an email contact form to which a representative will respond within two business days, and NJM also offers 24/7 claims reporting through their online portal or by calling 1-800-367-6564. Customers can also mail auto insurance questions to: 

NJM Insurance Group
301 Sullivan Way
PO Box 428
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0227

Customer Satisfaction 

New Jersey Manufacturers Group has done an exceptional job of providing an overall positive customer service experience. It allows customers to make and manage their claims online 24/7, has high rankings from industry experts, plus strong customer service reviews. 

Satisfaction Ratings

J.D. Power ranked NJM fourth for customer satisfaction among auto insurers in the mid-Atlantic region in 2022, and third-party review sites rank them highly, as well. New Jersey Manufacturers Group was given an A+ (Superior) rating by AM Best, which gives insurers a letter grade based on their financial strength. An A+ is only one step down from the highest ranking of A++. 

Complaint Index

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) compiles consumer complaints about insurance and then compares this information to the industry average. The average complaint score is set at one, and NJM was given a rating of 0.24 by NAIC in 2022, meaning that it has less than the average amount of complaints against it. 

Account Management

New Jersey Manufacturers Group customers have an online dashboard to log into to make claims, view existing claim details, view and print their ID card, view policy documents, upload documents to their accounts, and pay bills. Customers can also call the customer service department if they prefer to speak to a representative. 

How New Jersey Manufacturers Group Compares to Other Auto Insurance Companies

New Jersey Manufacturers Group is known for its low premiums and was ranked the cheapest provider out of 10 companies offering coverage in New Jersey. Its average premiums were also in the five cheapest out of 25 companies ranked, but NJM is only available in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, making it less accessible than most competitors.  

Final Verdict

With its high customer satisfaction, low average prices, and unique discounts available, NJM is an excellent choice for those looking for competitively priced auto insurance coverage. The company lets customers obtain quotes and make claims 24/7 via its online dashboard. The company is known for its financial strength and positive customer service reviews, further helping its case as a top competitor. The biggest drawback is that coverage is only offered in five states, but if you live in one of those, NJM could be one of the best options for affordable auto insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NJM Insurance Group Legit?

Yes. NJM insurance group is a legitimate company founded in 1913 and offers personal insurance for customers in five states: Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Is NJM Good With Claims?

Yes. NJM is good with claims. It offers 24/7 online service for filing claims and it is ranked highly for its financially strength and ability to sort out and pay claims. The company has positive customer ratings, as well.

What Is NJ Manufacturers' AM Best Rating?

New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company earned an A+ (Superior) from AM Best Rating in April 2023, the most recent rating available.

Is NJM Insurance Cheap?

New Jersey Manufacturers Group insurance policies vary in cost depending on the type of insurance and add-ons, like umbrella coverage, you purchase. Its auto insurance policies are affordable, but you must live in one of the five states where NJM offers coverage.

Methodology 

Investopedia is committed to providing readers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of auto insurance companies. All of our reviews are based on extensive research and analysis of each company’s coverage, customer service, pricing, years in business, accreditation, and more. To rate providers, we developed an auto insurance review methodology that compares the auto insurance coverage types, additional features, discounts, account management, and other features.