Bill hiking minimum car insurance coverage clears Legislature
New Jersey drivers may have to pay more for car insurance under a bill lawmakers passed Wednesday over objections from some Republicans about affordability. The bill would hike the minimum coverage required for standard car insurance policies and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to between $25,000 and $70,000, depending on when a motorist renews their policy. The minimum now required is $15,000. Sponsors of the measure have characterized it as one that would protect consumers, but critics have complained the bill would burden people already struggling with inflation, high gas prices, and other financial stresses. Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) urged his colleagues Wednesday to oppose the bill, which would “put our jackboot on the poor driver of New Jersey.” “This is a really, really bad bill, it's really poorly designed, it's really…