Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Santa Fe, New Mexico (2023)

State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Santa Fe, with liability-only rates of $29 per month.

Jessica Martel
Written byJessica Martel
Jessica Martel
Jessica Martel

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Updated November 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM PST

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The average monthly cost of car insurance in Santa Fe is $115, lower than the New Mexico average of $125. 

Santa Fe is a vibrant city with a rich history, comfortable weather, and good food. While Santa Fe is the state capital, the city itself has a small geographical footprint, which makes it quite walkable and could result in fewer cars on the road. And as a Sante Fe resident, that means lower car insurance rates for you.

Here’s how to get the best car insurance for you at the lowest price possible in Santa Fe.

Quick Facts
  • The average annual cost for car insurance in Santa Fe is $1,375.

  • Full-coverage insurance in Santa Fe costs $160 per month, while liability-only coverage costs $69.

  • The state of New Mexico allows insurers to consider credit scores as part of the car insurance application process.

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Monthly liability rates start as low as $29

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Best car insurance companies in Santa Fe

The cost of car insurance varies between insurers, as each company uses a slightly different formula to determine insurance rates. Insurance companies can consider factors like your driving record, the car you drive, your marital status, and your age to determine the price of insurance they offer.

Ultimately, the insurance company that’s right for you will depend on your specific situation,

Best insurer for full coverage: State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$29/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$49/mo

For more than 100 years, State Farm has been providing car, homeowners, and life insurance. The company offers a variety of discounts, including good driver and teen driver discounts. Available in all 50 states, State Farm is ranked No. 1 for market share, according to the most recent data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Pros
  • Strong AM Best and S&P Global financial ratings

  • Rideshare insurance available

Cons
  • No gap insurance

  • More expensive for drivers with violations

I feel like I am being way overcharged for my insurance since I have had no accidents or tickets in the last 10 years.

Theresa - September 14, 2023
Verified

I really enjoyed working with them, I just couldn't keep up with the expensive rates.

Becki - September 13, 2023
Verified

I was 5 stars until the recent increase, without any explanation.

Norman - September 13, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Dairyland

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.3
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$66/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$152/mo

Dairyland got its start selling specialty insurance to non-standard drivers. Today, it continues to cater to non-standard drivers and provide auto, motorcycle, and off-road insurance nationwide. Dairyland also sells renters, RV, and life insurance in New Mexico. The company has a high financial stability and credit rating (A+) with AM Best.

Pros
  • Insurance for non-standard drivers

  • Coverage options for motorcycles and off-road vehicles

Cons
  • More complaints than expected with the NAIC

  • Rates tend to be higher than competitors

Not willing to work with me on anything.

Wendy - July 29, 2023
Verified

They have been solid.

Matthew - January 20, 2023
Verified

High prices

Ryan - January 20, 2023
Verified
Read our Dairyland review

Best insurer for military members: USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$35/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$59/mo

USAA has been serving military members and their families for more than 100 years. The company offers several insurance products, as well as banking, investing, and retirement services. Qualifying members can also take advantage of several discounts and savings opportunities, such as legacy discounts for customers whose parents have a USAA auto insurance policy and discounts if you garage your car on base.

Pros
  • Low premiums

  • Ability to save up to 30% with safe driving program, SafePilot

Cons
  • Not available to non-military members

  • No 24/7 customer phone support

They are the best in customer service.

Brenda - September 13, 2023
Verified

Overall poor service, took a safe driving discount away because I wasn’t driving enough.

Kenneth - September 9, 2023
Verified

Great operation since I was a Lt.

raymond - September 7, 2023
Verified
Read our USAA review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Santa Fe

If you get into a car accident and it’s your fault, liability car insurance will cover the medical expenses and damages you cause to the other party. However, liability insurance won’t cover your own medical bills or damages. As such, liability-only insurance is usually the most affordable type of coverage.

The below table shows a list of insurance companies with low quotes for liability-only car insurance in Santa Fe.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
State Farm29
USAA35
GEICO36
Hallmark51
Midvale Home & Auto53
Allstate57
The General58
Progressive62
Dairyland66
Farmers68
Nationwide69
Safeco69
GAINSCO71
Foremost85
Bristol West86
Liberty Mutual90
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Santa Fe

Full-coverage car insurance provides the same protections as liability but also covers damages sustained by your vehicle. Full-coverage car insurance typically includes collision and comprehensive coverages. Collision coverage applies to an accident with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage includes protection for damage caused by fire, earthquakes, hitting a deer, or other acts of God.

The insurers below offer the best quotes for full-coverage car insurance in Santa Fe.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
State Farm49
USAA59
GEICO61
Travelers89
Allstate96
Progressive103
Midvale Home & Auto108
Farmers115
Nationwide121
Safeco121
Hallmark132
The General135
Dairyland152
GAINSCO167
Liberty Mutual175
Foremost182
Bristol West249
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Car insurance requirements in New Mexico

To drive legally in New Mexico, you must have coverage that meets the following minimum requirements:[1]

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability
  • $25,000 per person
  • $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
  • $10,000 per accident

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

An incident can include a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction. Some insurance companies in Santa Fe will refuse you coverage if you have too many incidents on your record. Others specialize in writing car insurance policies for drivers with multiple accidents and are referred to as high-risk or non-standard companies.[2]

Shop for Car Insurance in Santa Fe, NM

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

If you have a speeding ticket on your driving record, you’re likely to pay higher insurance premiums. The amount your insurance will increase depends on your insurer, your location, and how many speeding tickets you have.

Santa Fe drivers with a speeding ticket pay an overall monthly average of $166 for car insurance. The table below provides you a look at quotes from top insurers in Santa Fe for drivers with speeding tickets.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
State Farm7142
USAA8551
GEICO8852
Allstate13982
Progressive14989
Midvale Home & Auto15676
Farmers16698
Nationwide175100
Safeco175100
Hallmark19074
The General19584
Dairyland21995
GAINSCO241102
Liberty Mutual253130
Foremost263123
Bristol West359124
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

If you get in an accident and it’s your fault, you can expect your premium to increase. How much it increases will vary between companies, but you can expect the increase to remain for three years following your insurance claim. If you have multiple accidents or other incidents on your record, your insurance company may decide not to renew your policy.[3]

In Santa Fe, you might pay an overall average of around $174 per month for car insurance if you have an at-fault accident on your record. The table below lists the cheapest insurance companies for Santa Fe drivers with an at-fault accident.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
State Farm7444
USAA8953
GEICO9254
Allstate14586
Progressive15694
Midvale Home & Auto16380
Farmers174103
Nationwide183104
Safeco183104
Hallmark19977
The General20488
Dairyland230100
GAINSCO252107
Liberty Mutual264136
Foremost275128
Bristol West376130
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Alcohol-related fatalities are the largest contributor to traffic deaths in New Mexico, and alcohol is involved in 40% of all fatal crashes.[4] In Santa Fe, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.02% if you’re younger than 21 or 0.08% if you’re older than 21. Driving while under the influence can result in fines, loss of license, higher insurance rates, and possible jail time. 

If you have a DUI on your record, your insurance premiums will rise dramatically, and some insurers may drop you altogether. If you have a DUI on your record, you could pay as much as $197 per month for car insurance, on average.

The table below lists different monthly quotes from companies who insure drivers with a DUI.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
State Farm8450
USAA10160
GEICO10462
Allstate16497
Progressive176106
Midvale Home & Auto18591
Farmers197116
Nationwide207118
Safeco207118
Hallmark22687
The General23199
Dairyland260113
GAINSCO286121
Liberty Mutual299154
Foremost311145
Bristol West426147
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Driver age is one of the key factors that determines the cost of auto insurance. Teenagers and drivers younger than 25 typically pay higher insurance rates, and once you’re in your 30s, you can expect rates to go down. 

However, as drivers age into their 70s, rates begin to rise again since older drivers have higher crash rates than middle-aged drivers and are more likely to need additional medical assistance than younger drivers.

Senior drivers in Santa Fe pay an overall monthly average of $77 for car insurance. This table lists the cheapest car insurance quotes for seniors.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
State Farm2615
USAA3118
GEICO3219
Allstate5130
Progressive5433
Midvale Home & Auto5728
Farmers6136
Nationwide6436
Safeco6436
Hallmark7027
The General7131
Dairyland8035
GAINSCO8837
Liberty Mutual9247
Foremost9645
Bristol West13145
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Teens have crash rates nearly three times as high as drivers 20 and older.[5] As a result, teens also pay some of the highest car insurance rates. Car insurance costs $224 per month overall for teens and young drivers in Santa Fe.

To try to keep insurance costs down, you can look for insurers that offer good student discounts or reward teens who take a driver’s training course. If you have a teen driver, adding them to your policy is also typically cheaper than your teen purchasing their own policy.

Here are the most affordable quotes for teen drivers.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Quote: Full CoverageAverage Quote: Liability Only
State Farm9556
USAA11568
GEICO11970
Allstate187111
Progressive200121
Midvale Home & Auto210103
Farmers224132
Nationwide236134
Safeco236134
Hallmark25799
The General263113
Dairyland296128
GAINSCO325138
Liberty Mutual341175
Foremost354165
Bristol West485167
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Santa Fe

If you’re trying to secure the cheapest car insurance in Santa Fe, a variety of factors can affect the cost of insurance. To find the best value, consider the following tips:

  • Comparison shop. Spend some time researching and comparing various companies to find the best auto insurance rate for your needs.

  • Drive a safer car. The type of vehicle you drive matters. If you own an expensive car or truck, it can cost more to insure. How safe your car is also matters. Some insurance companies offer discounts if you have a car with high-quality safety features.

  • Keep a clean driving record. Speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and other incidents can drive up the cost of insurance. If you want to find the best deal on car insurance, don’t speed, don’t text and drive, and don’t drive under the influence.

  • Improve your credit score. When you apply for car insurance, lenders in Santa Fe might look at your credit score as a way to assess how likely you are to make your payments. A good or excellent credit score can help you secure the lowest rates.

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Santa Fe car insurance quotes by credit tier

The state of New Mexico allows insurers to consider credit scores as part of the car insurance application process. Having a good or excellent credit score can help reduce the cost of car insurance. A poor credit score can make it more challenging to find cheap car insurance, but if you’re willing to shop around, you can still find reasonable coverage.

The chart below lists the average monthly quotes in Santa Fe according to credit tiers.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Is car insurance more expensive in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe customers enjoy lower rates for car insurance than the national average. The annual average for full-coverage insurance in Santa Fe is $1,375, while the national annual average for full coverage is $1,668, according to Insurify’s recent report on car insurance pricing.

The average cost of car insurance in Santa Fe is also lower than the state average. When accounting for liability-only and full coverage, the average monthly cost for insurance in Santa Fe is $115 per month versus an average of $125 across New Mexico.

Car insurance rates vary by city, however, based on population density, crime rates, and weather patterns.

Compared to other state capitals, Santa Fe’s full-coverage insurance rates rank lower. For example, residents in Phoenix pay $237, people in Austin pay $217, and drivers in Salt Lake City pay $190 for full coverage.

More cities in New Mexico

Car insurance rates can also vary between cities in the same state. On average, Santa Fe residents pay $160 per month for full-coverage insurance. The table below highlights how Santa Fe’s full-coverage insurance prices stack up to other cities in New Mexico.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Santa Fe
Clovis$12817%
Farmington$13927%
Hobbs$13928%
Las Cruces$105-4%
Rio Rancho$12313%
Roswell$12111%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Santa Fe car insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about how to find the cheapest car insurance in Santa Fe, the answers below can help.

  • How much is car insurance in Santa Fe?

    The median price for car insurance in Santa Fe is $69 for liability-only coverage and $160 for full coverage. These rates are lower than the national averages and also lower than those in many other cities around New Mexico.

  • Who has the cheapest car insurance in Santa Fe?

    State Farm, USAA, and GEICO have the cheapest car insurance in Santa Fe. But the cheapest insurance company for you will depend on many factors, including your age, ZIP code, type of car you drive, and more.

  • What are the best car insurance companies in Santa Fe?

    State Farm, Dairyland, and USAA rank as three of the top insurers in Santa Fe. State Farm and USAA have top Insurify Quality Scores of 4.4 and 4.3, respectively. All three insurers offer some of the lowest rates in the region, and each has been recognized for its financial stability, discounts, or customer service.

  • What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Santa Fe?

    Many things influence car insurance rates in Santa Fe, including the size of the community, the rate of crime, and the cost of living, which can affect the cost to repair a vehicle when necessary.

  • How much car insurance do you need in New Mexico?

    To drive legally in New Mexico, you must carry insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements for bodily injury liability ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident) and property damage liability ($10,000).

  • Is New Mexico a no-fault state?

    No. New Mexico is an at-fault (or tort) state. This means if you’re in an accident that’s judged to be your fault, the other party may have the right to pursue legal action against you to recover compensation for the damages they suffered.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. New Mexico MVD. "Insurance." Accessed August 24, 2023
  2. Office of Superintendent of Insurance. "Consumer FAQs." Accessed August 24, 2023
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?." Accessed August 24, 2023
  4. NM Department of Public Safety. "DWI Prevention." Accessed August 24, 2023
  5. IIHS. "Fatality Facts 2021 Teenagers." Accessed August 24, 2023
Jessica Martel
Jessica Martel

Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

Featured in

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