NJM Insurance auto insurance

Overview

NJM Insurance Group is a West Trenton, New Jersey insurer that began in workers' compensation and now sells auto, homeowners, condo, renters and umbrella insurance to individuals. It ranked #20 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $1.74 billion in auto premiums and a 0.47% national share.

NJM is a direct writer: personal policies are sold online and by phone, supported by a small group of exclusive agents rather than an independent agency network. Personal auto is available only to residents of Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company says it operates in a mutual fashion for the exclusive benefit of its policyholders. Carol Voorhees, a 29-year NJM veteran, became president and CEO in July 2025, the first woman and tenth chief executive in the company's history.

History

New Jersey Manufacturers Casualty Insurance Company was founded in 1913 to provide workers' compensation to New Jersey businesses, fulfilling Woodrow Wilson's campaign pledge to give injured workers medical care and partial wage replacement. In 1921 NJM formed a subsidiary to offer commercial and personal auto and homeowners coverage, initially to employees of its commercial customers. Its home office moved to its 100-acre West Trenton campus in 1966.

For most of its history, NJM's personal policies were limited to people with a qualifying connection to its business customers. In 2018 NJM removed those membership restrictions and opened auto, homeowners, renters and umbrella coverage to all New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents. It expanded personal lines to Connecticut in 2020 and to Ohio and Maryland in 2021. Business lines are sold through independent agents in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Policies are underwritten by NJM Insurance Company and its subsidiaries.

Auto insurance coverage

NJM's standard policy includes liability, collision, comprehensive (which NJM calls "other than collision"), uninsured/underinsured motorist and, depending on the state, personal injury protection or medical payments. Policies with both collision and comprehensive automatically include limited pet coverage, new car replacement (see new car replacement) and limited vehicle customization coverage. Gap insurance and roadside assistance are also available.

In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, auto policies involve a choice between full and limited tort options, which affects your right to sue for some injuries; NJM's coverage pages note that this "right to sue" choice can affect uninsured motorist recoveries. See Choice no-fault: New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky for how that system works. NJM's discount terms also refer to a Basic Personal Auto policy, to which the bundle discount does not apply.

Discounts and programs

NJM lists these auto discounts, some limited to certain states:

• Home and auto bundle (not available on Basic Personal Auto policies) and multi-vehicle.
• Good student, for honor roll, dean's list or a B average.
• Full coverage, when you carry both collision and comprehensive.
• New car, for vehicles two model years old or newer.
• Paid in full, electronic payment (not combinable with paid in full) and paperless.
• Vehicle safety equipment, including anti-theft or recovery devices, anti-lock brakes and passive restraints.
• Defensive driving (New Jersey only), driver training (Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) and mature driver (Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania).

NJM does not list a telematics or usage-based discount. It runs a Teen Driver Safety Program and the "Share the Keys" parent-teen licensing program.

Claims

Claims can be filed online or through NJM's Claims Center at 800-367-6564, which takes reports 24/7. NJM's online claims process lets claimants choose a repair shop and set up a temporary rental at the same time. Covered losses on policies with physical damage coverage include temporary transportation reimbursement, which can pay for a rental car, a ride-share service or a taxi; NJM can bill some rental agencies, including Enterprise, directly.

J.D. Power has certified NJM for "An Outstanding Auto Claims Experience" for eight consecutive years. In the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, NJM scored 731, second of 20 insurers behind Erie Insurance; it ranked first in the 2024 study.

Ratings and reputation

NJM says it has held an AM Best financial strength rating of A or higher for more than 90 years (as stated in July 2025). AM Best's detailed rating reports on NJM are available only by subscription.

Customer satisfaction is consistently among the best in its region. NJM ranked first in the Mid-Atlantic in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study with a score of 721, and second in 2026 with 699, five points behind Erie Insurance and well above the regional average of 651.

Who it suits

NJM suits drivers in its five states who want a highly rated claims experience and are comfortable buying directly online or by phone. It is especially worth quoting in New Jersey, its home market. Drivers outside those states cannot buy NJM auto insurance, and those who want an independent agent to compare carriers, or a telematics discount, will need another option.

• Strengths: Second-place J.D. Power claims score in 2025 and first in 2024; first or second in the Mid-Atlantic satisfaction rankings in 2025 and 2026; pet coverage, new car replacement and customization coverage included with full coverage; operates for the benefit of policyholders.
• Weaknesses: Personal auto sold in only five states; no telematics or usage-based discount; several discounts are limited to specific states; personal lines are sold direct, not through independent agents.

How to contact NJM Insurance