Bill Would Raise New Jersey Auto Liability Minimums

Assembly Bill 280 would lift required bodily injury and property damage coverage on standard New Jersey auto policies.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Insurance

Bill Would Raise New Jersey Auto Liability Minimums

Live Poll

Would you accept higher car insurance premiums for higher required coverage limits?

Assemblymen Paul Kanitra and Gregory McGuckin introduced Assembly Bill 280 on January 13, 2026, proposing higher auto insurance minimums than the $35,000/$70,000 floor that took effect January 1, 2026. The bill was referred to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

Why it matters

Hospital bills and repair costs can exceed current limits, leaving injured drivers with coverage gaps. The bill reintroduces a measure the same sponsors filed in the previous session.

The current bodily injury minimum is $35,000 per person and $70,000 per accident, with $25,000 required for property damage. The bill's committee outcome and final vote count remain unknown.

The players

Paul Kanitra

New Jersey Assemblyman who co-sponsors Assembly Bill 280 with fellow Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin.

Gregory McGuckin

New Jersey Assemblyman who co-sponsors Assembly Bill 280 and represents the 10th Legislative District.

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance

New Jersey state agency that regulates insurers and told carriers the new minimums apply to all policies issued on or after January 1, 2026.

The details

The bill would raise bodily injury liability floors by $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, and set uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at $50,000/$100,000. It would also set uninsured motorist property damage at $25,000 per accident, except hit-and-run cases, and keep the existing $500 exclusion for property damage from uninsured drivers.

January 1, 2026: Two-step phase-in ended and $35,000/$70,000 minimums took effect.
January 13, 2026: Assembly Bill 280 introduced and referred to committee.

Roadmap

New Jersey's two-step phase-in of auto liability minimums ended on January 1, 2026, setting bodily injury floors at $35,000/$70,000. Assembly Bill 280 would push those floors further to $50,000/$100,000, extending a legislative push to raise coverage requirements.

If enacted, the bill would require drivers to carry substantially more bodily injury and property damage coverage, which could raise premiums for standard policies. Drivers renewing policies should check that current limits meet the $35,000/$70,000 minimum now in effect.

The takeaway

Drivers should review their policy limits now, since the current $35,000/$70,000 minimum is already in effect and higher requirements may follow. Checking coverage before renewal can help avoid gaps if medical or repair costs exceed required limits.