Rising car insurance rates in New Jersey are adding to the Toll of Commuting.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows a sharp increase nationwide in auto insurance.

A report by the LendingTree service ValuePenguin estimated the average rate increase in New Jersey at 17.2%.

According to Forbes Advisor data, New Jersey’s average annual cost for full coverage is over $2,500 and trails only six states. Even the cost for the minimum required coverage is the third-highest.

Why so much? Gary La Spisa, from the Insurance Council of New Jersey, says it’s driven by insurance company losses.

“Inflationary increases, increases in litigation and increases in legislative mandates,” says Gary La Spisa, the senior vice president of the Insurance Council of New Jersey. “All three of those combined have driven our costs up, and unfortunately, that means we have to pass our costs to you through increased premiums.”

Relief isn’t exactly in sight. New Jersey’s statewide insurance minimums are set to increase on Jan. 1. And as cars grow smarter, repairs cost more.

“The window costs more than it did a year ago, but it costs a lot more than it did five years ago, La Spisa said. “There’s cameras that are attached to those windows. There’s sensors on those bumpers. There’s computers that need to be recalibrated. That’s absolutely a factor.”

To find the best deal, La Spisa advises customers to work with an independent insurance agent, which doesn’t cost the customer. But even shopping around can be difficult, as some insurance companies have limited or even stopped accepting new customers.

La Spisa says almost all carriers offer a discount for passing a defensive driving course.