If you are shopping for a new car or reviewing your current policy, you may not realize that the safety features on your vehicle can affect what you pay for car insurance in New Jersey. Some discounts are required by law, while others depend on your specific insurer. Knowing what qualifies can help you make smarter decisions when buying a car or updating your policy.
Safety features that New Jersey insurers must discount
According to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, insurers in New Jersey must offer discounts on vehicles with the following features:
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS): Prevent wheels from locking during sudden stops, improving control on wet or slippery roads.
- Airbags and passive restraint systems: Reduce injury severity in a collision by deploying automatically without driver action.
- Anti-theft vehicle recovery systems: Help locate and recover stolen vehicles, lowering the chance of a total loss claim.
If your vehicle has any of these features and you are not already receiving a discount, it is worth asking your insurer directly.
Additional features that may lower your rate
New Jersey law only requires discounts for a handful of features, but many insurers go further. The following technologies have been shown to reduce crashes, and more insurance companies are beginning to reward drivers who have them:
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB): Reduces rear-end collisions by up to 50% and is now standard on many new vehicles.
- Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist: Reduces certain types of crashes by approximately 11%.
- Blind spot monitoring: Reduces lane-change crashes by around 14%.
- Adaptive cruise control: Maintains a safe following distance and reduces rear-end crash risk.
- Electronic stability control (ESC): Helps prevent your car from rolling over or spinning out.
Not every insurer offers an explicit discount for each of these features. Some factor them into how they rate your vehicle overall.
Safety features reduce accidents, but accidents still happen
Even the safest car on the road cannot protect you from a distracted, impaired or reckless driver. If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to contact an attorney before speaking with any insurance company.
Insurance companies try to minimize what they pay out, and anything you say early in the process can affect your claim. Having an experienced lawyer in your corner from the start gives you a better chance of receiving the compensation you deserve.