INSURANCE
SURCHARGE
INSURANCE SURCHARGE FACTS
The
New Jersey Merit Rating Program, created by N.J.S.A. 17:29A-35 requires Motor Vehicle Services to collect insurance surcharges from
motorists whose driving records include certain motor vehicle offenses. The
surcharges that are imposed are in addition to any court-imposed fines and penalties, or any
premium or surcharge fees that are assessed by insurance companies. Surchargeable events
include alcohol and drug related offenses, regulatory offenses such as driving
without a license, driving without valid insurance or driving while suspended,
and accumulating 6 or more points in a period of three years or less. These
surcharges are assessed each year for 3 years. (Please note that point credits
are not considered when assessing surcharges). All surchargeable offenses are
billed as they appear on your motor vehicle record. Motor Vehicle Services does
not have the authority to reduce your surcharge payments or change any
court-reported violations.
DISPUTE OF A SURCHARGE BILLING
If you have a dispute or
question regarding your surcharge billing, including the posting of payments,
the amount of the surcharge assessment, or the timing of the surcharge
assessment, please write;
State of New Jersey
Surcharge Billing Office
Box
4775
Trenton, NJ 08650-4775
Be sure to include your;
Driver License Number and
to mail separately
from any payments.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED SUSPENSION
If
a driver is surcharged, then he will receive an official notice of a proposed
suspension of your driving privileges. The driver will also have to pay the
surcharge bill as of the date of the notice. If the driver fails to pay the
surcharge bill by the date due, then the driver’s license will be indefinitely
suspended. The driver will then have to pay a $50 restoration fee, in addition
to paying the surcharge payment before any driving privileges can be restored.
SURCHARGEABLE EVENTS
DRUNK DRIVING. - A drunk driving charge costs a driver a significant amount of
money in
surcharges. The surcharge for a drunk driving violation is $1,000 a year for
three years. A surcharge of $1,500 a year will be charged for a third or
subsequent violations.
POINT VIOLATIONS. - If a driver accumulates six or more points in a period of
three calendar years or less, then the driver must pay an insurance surcharge
of $100 for the first six points, and $25 for each additional point. The point
surcharge will remain in effect as long as the driver has six points on his
driving records.
Other Surchargeable Events;
- Unlicensed Driver - $100 a year for three years
- Driving While Suspended - $250 a year for three years
- No Liability Insurance - $250 a year for three years
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