Living in Manasquan means enjoying everything the Jersey Shore has to offer—beautiful beaches, a tight-knit community, and that perfect summer town atmosphere. But it also means dealing with insurance challenges that folks inland don't face. Between New Jersey's unique auto insurance requirements and the very real coastal risks to your home, getting the right coverage isn't optional. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to protect yourself, your family, and your property in Manasquan.
Auto Insurance in New Jersey: What Manasquan Drivers Need to Know
New Jersey operates under a no-fault auto insurance system, which means your insurance pays for your medical expenses after an accident regardless of who caused it. You're required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which handles medical bills, lost wages, and essential services like childcare if you're injured.
Here's where it gets interesting: New Jersey offers two distinct auto insurance options. The Standard Policy gives you unlimited right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident. The Basic Policy costs less but limits your ability to sue—you can only go to court for serious injuries like permanent disability, disfigurement, or death. For 2025, the minimum PIP coverage is $15,000 under the Basic Policy and $250,000 under Standard, though you can adjust these amounts.
Beyond PIP, you need bodily injury liability coverage (minimum $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident) and property damage liability (minimum $5,000). But let's be real—these minimums are dangerously low. If you cause an accident on Route 35 during summer traffic and seriously injure someone, $15,000 won't come close to covering their medical bills. Most insurance experts recommend at least $100,000/$300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.
Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Your Investment on the Coast
Insuring a home in Manasquan is more complex than insuring one in, say, Princeton or Morristown. Your proximity to the Atlantic Ocean puts you in a high-risk zone for wind damage, coastal flooding, and hurricane impacts. This means higher premiums and more careful consideration of what's actually covered.
A standard homeowners policy (HO-3) covers your dwelling, personal property, liability, and additional living expenses if you're displaced. It protects against perils like fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, and theft. But here's the critical part: it does not cover flood damage. Not even a little bit. If a nor'easter pushes ocean water into your home, your standard policy won't pay a dime.
Wind coverage is typically included in coastal New Jersey homeowners policies, but insurers may impose separate wind deductibles—often 2% to 5% of your dwelling coverage. On a $500,000 home, that's a $10,000 to $25,000 deductible just for wind damage. Some insurers offer buydowns to reduce this percentage, but it increases your premium.
Given Manasquan's property values and coastal risks, replacement cost coverage is essential. This ensures your insurer pays to rebuild your home at current construction costs, not the depreciated value. With construction costs still elevated in 2025, make sure your dwelling coverage keeps pace with inflation and local building costs.
Flood Insurance: Not Optional for Coastal Homeowners
If you have a mortgage on a property in a high-risk flood zone in Manasquan, your lender requires flood insurance. But even if you own your home outright or you're outside a designated flood zone, you should seriously consider it. Much of Manasquan sits in FEMA flood zones, and the borough has experienced significant flooding during major storms.
Most flood insurance comes through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers up to $250,000 in building coverage and $100,000 for contents. Premiums under NFIP's Risk Rating 2.0 system (implemented in recent years) are based on your specific property's flood risk, not just the flood zone. Factors include elevation, distance from water, flood history, and property characteristics.
For properties with higher values or those wanting lower deductibles and additional coverage options, private flood insurance is increasingly available. Companies like Neptune Flood, Kin, and others offer policies that can exceed NFIP limits and sometimes cost less for well-elevated homes. Comparing both NFIP and private options is smart shopping.
Other Important Coverage Considerations
Umbrella insurance deserves attention if you have significant assets to protect. An umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond your home and auto policies—typically starting at $1 million. Given Manasquan's property values and the litigious nature of New Jersey, an extra layer of liability protection makes sense. If someone's injured on your property or you cause a serious accident, an umbrella policy prevents a lawsuit from wiping out your savings and future earnings.
If you rent out your Manasquan home or a room through Airbnb or VRBO, your standard homeowners policy likely won't cover you. You need either a landlord policy or a short-term rental endorsement. Don't assume your personal policy extends to commercial activity—it doesn't, and claims can be denied if you're operating a rental without proper coverage.
For renters in Manasquan, renters insurance is inexpensive and essential. It covers your personal belongings and provides liability protection. Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your stuff. A typical renters policy costs $15 to $30 per month and can prevent financial disaster if your apartment floods, burns, or someone gets hurt visiting you.
How to Save Money on Insurance in Manasquan
Insurance in coastal New Jersey isn't cheap, but you can reduce costs without sacrificing protection. Bundling your home and auto insurance with the same carrier typically saves 15% to 25% on both policies. Installing hurricane shutters, impact-resistant windows, or a wind-resistant roof can earn discounts and genuinely protect your home.
Your credit score affects your insurance rates in New Jersey. Insurers use credit-based insurance scores to price policies, so maintaining good credit helps. Security systems, smoke detectors, and newer electrical, plumbing, and heating systems can also lower premiums.
Raising your deductibles on homeowners and auto policies reduces premiums, but make sure you can afford the higher out-of-pocket cost if you file a claim. Shopping around every few years is critical—insurance rates change, and loyalty doesn't always pay. Get quotes from at least three insurers, including both national carriers and regional companies familiar with coastal New Jersey.
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Start by reviewing your current policies. Do you have flood coverage? Are your liability limits adequate? Is your dwelling coverage enough to rebuild at today's construction costs? If you don't have clear answers, it's time to talk with an insurance agent who understands coastal New Jersey risks.
Get multiple quotes and ask questions. What's covered, what's excluded, and what are the deductibles? Understanding your policies now—before you need them—prevents ugly surprises when you file a claim. Living in Manasquan is worth the extra insurance considerations, but only if you're properly protected when storms roll in or accidents happen.
