New Mexico Car Insurance Laws (2024)
New Mexico car insurance laws require all drivers in the state to be insured. The New Mexico car insurance minimum liability rates of 25/50/10 for bodily injury and property damage coverage. New Mexico uses an electronic reporting system to ensure that all drivers have the required coverage. Read on to learn more about New Mexico’s car insurance requirements.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
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UPDATED: Feb 14, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 14, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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New Mexico car insurance laws require that all drivers carry a minimum amount of car insurance in order to drive legally in the state. Liability insurance is required to protect all drivers on the road from the high costs associated with accidents – whether at fault or not at fault in the accident.
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Mandatory Insurance Coverage
The financial responsibility law in New Mexico requires every driver to carry a liability insurance policy. The policy must meet the following legal minimums:
- At least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- At least $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per incident, to cover multiple people injured
- At least $10,000 in property damage coverage to pay for damage to another person’s vehicle or any other property damaged in an accident
While these are the legal minimums, they are not always enough to pay for the damages in an accident, particularly a serious one with many injuries. As a result, most drivers choose to carry liability insurance above the legal minimum. If you are shopping for insurance in New Mexico, it pays to compare the average cost of auto insurance rates in your state.
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Optional Insurance Coverage
There are many options that New Mexico drivers are not required to carry, but can choose to add to an auto policy in order to provide more protection. In addition to increasing the liability limits, drivers can also select from a list of coverage choices:
- Collision – covers damages to your vehicle in the event that you are involved in an accident where you are found to be at fault. Without this coverage, there is no benefit for damages to your own vehicle in an at-fault accident.
- Comprehensive – coverage that provides for damages to your vehicle that are caused by non-collision sources. This can include theft, vandalism, weather-related damage, and fire.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – covers damages that are caused by an uninsured motorist, or that exceed the limits of the other driver’s policy when they are at fault.
- Towing and Labor – coverage for roadside assistance and towing in a non-collision incident, such as a roadside breakdown.
- Rental Reimbursement – coverage for a rental car while your car is being repaired under a covered loss.
New Mexico insurance companies may offer a wide range of different add-ons and options that you can select to add to your policy for added value and protection.
Proof of Insurance and Driving Uninsured Penalties
New Mexico uses an electronic reporting system to ensure that all drivers have the required coverage. Insurance companies report policy information electronically and will also report any cancellation or lapse in coverage.
If your policy is cancelled, you will receive a notification requesting that you provide proof of a new policy within 30 days, or your vehicle registration will be suspended. You will then have ten days to turn in your plates. Failure to turn in your plates when the registration has been suspended will result in a $1000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.
Drivers are also required to present proof of insurance when registering a vehicle, at traffic stops, and at the scene of an accident on request. Failure to do so may result in penalties. If you are caught driving uninsured in New Mexico, you may be fined up to $300 and face up to 90 days in jail. Your registration will be immediately suspended.
Shopping for New Mexico Auto Insurance
New Mexico ranks at number 33 among all 50 states for the average annual cost of car insurance, placing the state just over $100 below the national average with a rate of $1201, according to a 2017 Insure.com study.
Drivers can shop around in order to find the best deal on insurance. The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance offers a premium comparison guide to assist drivers with choosing the right policy to meet their needs and budget. They also keep records of complaints against insurance companies to help the consumer buy from reputable insurers.
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Insurance for High-Risk Drivers
Drivers who have tickets, accidents, or serious violations on their records may be considered high-risk. This means that insurance companies like Geico and State Farm see them as more likely to get in an accident and will charge higher premiums as a result.
In some cases, a high-risk driver may have difficulty obtaining insurance on the open market. Drivers who have been turned down for insurance by at least 3 companies can apply through the New Mexico assigned risk auto plan, which will assign the driver to an insurance company. These policies will come with higher rates than a standard policy and are considered a last resort to obtain the needed coverage to meet financial responsibility requirements.
Teen Drivers in New Mexico
New Mexico uses a three-stage Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Under this program, teen drivers must pass through all of the stages, meeting all requirements and following all restrictions along the way. Any of the three stages may be extended by 30 days for teens that have certain violations on their record.
Instructional Permit
The first step in the process, this permit allows teens to begin learning how to drive and practicing with supervision. In order to get this permit, the teen must:
- Enroll in or complete a drivers education course
- Pass a knowledge test
- Be at least 15 years old
During this stage, the teen driver may drive only when accompanied by a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has been licensed for at least three years.
Provisional License
Teens can apply for a provisional license at the age of 16, as long as they have met the following requirements:
- Hold a instructional permit for at least 6 months
- Complete and pass an approved driver education course, including a 3-hour DWI section
- Complete 50 hours of driving practice with at least 10 of those hours being at night
- Have a clean record for at least 90 days prior to application
- Pass a road test
With the provisional license, teens can drive unsupervised as long as they adhere to the following restrictions:
- No more than one passenger under the age of 18 unless they are family members or a driver over 21 in the passenger seat
- Driving is not permitted between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a driver over 21 or on approved school, religious, or employment activities
Full License
Teens can graduate to a full, unrestricted license after 12 months with a provisional license, as long as they have had a clean record for 90 days and do not have any pending traffic convictions or drug/alcohol-related charges. All teen drivers are required to carry insurance that meets the financial responsibility law. Most teens are insured on the policy of a parent or guardian. This arrangement can continue (in most cases) even while the teen is away at school, until they have established a permanent resident of their own and obtain their own insurance policy.
Whether you are in Santa Fe, NM or Albuquerque, understanding NM insurance laws, minimum requirements and what your coverage options is the best first step to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum liability rates for car insurance in New Mexico?
New Mexico car insurance laws require a minimum liability coverage of 25/50/10 for bodily injury and property damage. This means you need at least $25,000 coverage for bodily injury per person, $50,000 coverage for bodily injury per accident, and $10,000 coverage for property damage per accident.
Are there any additional coverage options I can add to my auto insurance policy in New Mexico?
Yes, in addition to the minimum liability coverage, you can choose to add optional coverage options to your auto insurance policy in New Mexico. These options may include collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and more. It’s important to review these options and choose the ones that provide the protection you need.
What are the penalties for driving uninsured in New Mexico?
Driving uninsured in New Mexico can result in penalties, including fines and license suspension. If you are caught driving without insurance, you may be fined up to $300 and face up to 90 days in jail. Your vehicle registration will also be immediately suspended. It’s important to carry proof of insurance at all times to avoid these penalties.
How can I shop for auto insurance in New Mexico?
To find the best deal on auto insurance in New Mexico, you can shop around and compare quotes from different insurance companies. The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance provides a premium comparison guide to help you choose the right policy. They also keep records of complaints against insurance companies, which can help you make an informed decision.
What options are available for high-risk drivers in New Mexico?
High-risk drivers in New Mexico, such as those with tickets, accidents, or serious violations on their records, may have difficulty obtaining insurance on the open market. In such cases, they can apply through the New Mexico assigned risk auto plan, which assigns them to an insurance company. These policies often come with higher rates, but they provide the necessary coverage to meet the state’s financial responsibility requirements.
What is the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for teen drivers in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses a three-stage GDL program for teen drivers. The stages include the instructional permit, provisional license, and full license. Each stage has specific requirements and restrictions that teen drivers must follow. It’s important for both teens and their parents or guardians to understand the requirements and restrictions of each stage to ensure compliance with the program.
Please note that the above information is based on the provided content, and it’s always advisable to consult with an insurance professional or refer to the official state resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding insurance laws and requirements in New Mexico.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.