Car Insurance in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the perfect intersection of culture and history. But if you’re going to cross this particular intersection, you need the best car insurance in Santa Fe.
That’s because there is a growing list of things to do in and around the city. Maybe you will scope out those art galleries on Canyon Road or soak up the sounds of the Santa Fe Opera. And when it gets cold, you can always shred some powder over at Ski Santa Fe.
However, you can’t experience all of these awesome Santa Fe sights without a car, and that means protecting yourself with car insurance. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about car insurance in Santa Fe!
Quick Facts
- In 2019, there were eight traffic-related fatalities in Santa Fe.
- The average cost of car insurance in Santa Fe is $107.15 per month.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Santa Fe?
When you look over at your neighbor’s car, it’s only natural to wonder how much he is paying for car insurance. If nothing else, this would give you a better idea of whether you’re paying too much!
While we can’t talk to your neighbor for you, we can report that the average cost of car insurance in Santa Fe is $107.15 per month. This is a good deal compared to the national average cost of car insurance, which is $134.04 per month.
But how does the cost of car insurance in Santa Fe stack up with surrounding cities? Below, we have a breakdown of the average car insurance cost in other major New Mexico cities.
| New Mexico Cities | Monthly Average Rate |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $135.04 |
| Hobbs | $112.92 |
| Las Cruces | $102.27 |
| Rio Rancho | $141.88 |
| Santa Fe | $107.15 |
Santa Fe Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code
If you move from one New Mexico city to another, it can have a major impact on how much you pay for your car insurance. But what if you just move to a different neighborhood?
The truth is that where you live impacts how much you pay for car insurance, right down to the zip code. To give you a better idea of what we mean, here is a breakdown of the average monthly car insurance costs by zip code in Santa Fe.
| Zip Code | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| 87501 | $94.55 |
| 87502 | $143.33 |
| 87504 | $80.48 |
| 87505 | $97.07 |
| 87506 | $106.80 |
| 87507 | $120.00 |
| 87508 | $94.01 |
Santa Fe Car Insurance Rates by Age
Many Santa Fe drivers are surprised to discover that where they live affects the price of their car insurance. But it doesn’t stop there — age plays a major factor as well!
How old you are plays a major role in how much you have to pay each month. To get a better idea of how much you’ll pay over the years, here is a breakdown of the average monthly cost of insurance by age in Santa Fe.
| Age | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Teenagers | $228.08 |
| 20s | $153.12 |
| 30s | $87.03 |
| 40s | $89.50 |
| 50s | $87.71 |
| 60s | $79.80 |
| 70+ | $89.30 |
Unless otherwise specified, we use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by New Mexico. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
Driving Conditions in Santa Fe
Like other cities in New Mexico, the driving conditions in Santa Fe are decidedly mixed. Drivers are unlikely to die due to fatal accidents in the state. But the poor infrastructure of the roads and bridges makes driving more dangerous and more expensive for residents.
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Santa Fe?
In 2019, there were eight traffic-related fatalities in Santa Fe. This was a result of seven different fatal accidents.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Santa Fe?
The infrastructure of a city’s roads and bridges often plays a major role in how safe it is to drive through the city. With that in mind, what is the infrastructure of Santa Fe like?
The general infrastructure is poor, though it could be worse. According to a report by the nonprofit TRIP, 32% of the road pavement in the city are in poor condition, and an additional 19% are in fair condition. Meanwhile, nine bridges in the city are in “poor/structurally deficient” condition. All of this adds up to Santa Fe drivers paying an extra $749 each year in additional vehicle operating costs due to the poor infrastructure.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in New Mexico Today!
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Santa Fe
It’s difficult to determine how much car insurance you need. However, you must always have the bare minimum insurance required by the state. But do you know what those minimums actually are?
At minimum, the state of New Mexico requires liability coverage in the following amounts:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $10,000 per accident for property
We generally recommend you get more than liability coverage to have better protection in the event of an accident.
Factors Allowed in Santa Fe Car Insurance Rates
Previously, we touched on two of the main factors that determine your car insurance premium: your age and your location. But these are not the only factors that insurance carriers in Santa Fe are allowed to consider.
Below, we have a full list of factors allowed to determine your Santa Fe insurance premium:
- Age
- Gender
- Credit score
- Location
- Driving history
- Employment
- Marital status
- Insurance history
If any of these factors change (like you improve your credit or move to a safer neighborhood), let your carrier know. This may result in a lower premium!
Discounts for Car Insurance in Santa Fe
All Santa Fe drivers have one thing in common: They want to pay less for their car insurance. What if you could make that happen with a single phone call?
Every insurance carrier has special discounts they offer to customers to help them get cheap car insurance. You may even qualify for a discount and not know it! Below, we have a breakdown of common discounts that carriers in Santa Fe offer:
-
Good driving discount
-
Anti-theft device discount
-
Good student discount
-
Defensive driving course discount
-
Homeowner’s discount
Don’t forget that to discover all of the benefits your own insurance company offers, you’ll need to pick up the phone and give them a call. And don’t be afraid to shop around to get even better car insurance rates.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Santa Fe?
If you get into an accident without having enough insurance coverage, you may be stuck with some large bills to pay. If you are driving without any insurance at all, it will be much worse!
What happens if you are caught driving in Santa Fe without any car insurance at all? For the first offense, you may pay a fine up to $300 dollars and spend up to 90 days in jail. For the second offense, you may have to pay a fine of up to $1,000 dollars and spend up to six months in jail.
If there are further offenses, the court may potentially assign harsher punishments. As we said before, you’ll still be stuck with bills for any damage you caused while driving without liability coverage.
Get a Quote for Car Insurance in Santa Fe Today!
Now you know the most important things about getting car insurance in Santa Fe. But do you know where to finally get the car insurance rates you deserve? At Freeway, we can help!
Get started with a quote online, visit us at a local office near you, or call us at (800) 777-5620 for a quote.