If you are comfortable selecting your own levels of coverage, there are many online insurance carriers that may offer a great deal. That said, there are many nationally known captive-agent carriers that offer a great deal. That said, there are many independent-agent carriers that offer a great deal. You’ll never know until you look around. However, you will find that the big-brand, captive carriers likely train their agents better (though I work for a small-brand, niche market, captive carrier). At any given time, you are likely to find that most companies’ rates vary by a factor of 2 or 3.

The most important consideration to keep in mind is the coverage that you carry for (bodily injury and property damage) liability. If you are at-fault for a wreck, your assets are at risk. That means sum up the value of your home, vehicles, checking/savings, income (yes, wages can be garnished), even personal qualified retirement plans (though the Supreme Court ruled that these accounts cannot be touched, their total value can be attached to a lawsuit). Run the numbers, and 99% of drivers do not have enough liability coverage. Take the value of your income for the next 30 years, for instance…Think $1, $2, or even $3 million dollars of umbrella liability coverage.

A new car might cost you $25,000. What would a new spine cost?

I would strongly urge you to drop the rental car “transportation cost” from your policy. At least find out how much you would save. It probably isn’t much, but you will only use it if YOU are at fault in an accident. If someone else hits you (assuming they are covered), their insurance pays your rental costs.

* Bodily Injury: $50K each person, and $100K each accident;
* Property Damage: $50K each accident
* Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists: Same as above
* Medical Expense Limit: $250K
* Medical Expense Deductible: $1K
* Collision Deductible: $1K; other damage deductible: $1K

I had two cars insured with Liberty Mutual, both have comprehensive coverage. And the annual premium was $1516. Then I switched to Ameriprise from Costco and with the exactly same coverage, the premium I paid was $1252. If you are a Costco member, Ameriprise is worth a look.

My current Civic is a 2004. When I purchased the car, I shopped around a bit, and the results I got were all around the same price.

According to this site (probably not the best source, but I found it quickly), in 2003 the average cost for car insurance in New Jersey was $1,365 compared to the national average of $914.

That being said, it might be a good idea to shop around again, but not until I can devote attention to it, ie., after I find a new place to live.

My family insures for a 7 year old SUV and 3 year old sedan both with full coverage plus a motorcycle for around $1k a year with similar terms to yours (except we have a $1,000 deductible). I’m almost certain you can get a better rate. I can’t imagine just living in Jersey lands you with a rate 3 times what it is everywhere else.