The best way to find low-cost prices for auto insurance rates is to start doing an annual price comparison from different companies in Albuquerque. Rates can be compared by completing these steps.
First, read about car insurance and the modifications you can make to lower rates. Many things that increase rates like high-risk driving behaviors and a less-than-favorable credit score can be eliminated by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Read the full article for additional ideas to prevent high prices and find discounts that may have been missed.
Second, compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct and exclusive agents can only give prices from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can quote rates from multiple insurance companies.
Third, compare the new rate quotes to your current policy premium to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you find a lower rate quote and buy the policy, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
Fourth, tell your current agent or company to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the required down payment along with the signed application to the newly selected company. Be sure to put the new proof of insurance certificate with your vehicle’s registration.
A good tip to remember is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to compare as many companies as feasibly possible. Doing this ensures a level playing field and the best price selection.
Inconceivable but true, 70% of consumers kept buying from the same company for over three years, and approximately 38% of consumers have never compared rate quotes at all. New Mexico drivers could save an average of nearly $474 each year by just comparing rate quotes, but they just don’t want to compare rate quotes.
The following companies have been selected to offer quotes in New Mexico. If your goal is to find cheaper car insurance in New Mexico, it’s a good idea that you get prices from several of them to get the lowest price.
Here’s why insurance is not optional
Despite the high insurance cost for a Mercury Sable in Albuquerque, insurance may not be optional for several reasons.
- Just about all states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means state laws require specific limits of liability coverage if you want to drive legally. In New Mexico these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your vehicle, it’s most likely the lender will require that you have comprehensive coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank may buy a policy for your Mercury for a much higher rate and make you pay for it.
- Insurance safeguards not only your Mercury but also your assets. It also can pay for medical transport and hospital expenses that are the result of an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, comprehensive and/or collision insurance will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially for larger claims. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver overpays as much as $750 every year so smart consumers compare quotes once a year at a minimum to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Auto insurance coverages
Learning about specific coverages of a auto insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Coverage for medical payments
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for expenses for things like rehabilitation expenses, pain medications, nursing services and ambulance fees. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Liability
Liability insurance can cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property in an accident. It protects you against claims from other people. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/10 that means you have a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and $10,000 of coverage for damaged property. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for claims like repair costs for stationary objects, medical expenses and pain and suffering. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as large an amount as possible. New Mexico state law requires minimum liability limits of 25/50/10 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The next chart shows why buying minimum limits may not be adequate coverage.
Comprehensive coverages
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as rock chips in glass, hail damage, fire damage and a broken windshield. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Collision coverage
This coverage covers damage to your Sable resulting from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for things like crashing into a ditch, scraping a guard rail and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible on your Sable to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
This coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Mercury Sable.
Since many New Mexico drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (New Mexico limits are 25/50/10), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.