New Techniques for Buying Santa Fe, NM Auto Insurance for Less Money

Tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as many other New Mexico drivers.

Having so many choices of insurance companies, it can be challenging to choose the most affordable company.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

Companies don’t always list all available discounts very well, so here is a list both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

• 55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Organization Discounts – Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
• Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky.

To see a list of providers with discount auto insurance rates in New Mexico, click here.

Will just any policy work for me?

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions can help discover whether you will benefit from professional help.

• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
• Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
• Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
• Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
• How much liability coverage do I need in New Mexico?
• I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Are insurance agents obsolete?

A small number of people would rather talk to a local agent. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.

To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, the coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will compete for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your house as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.

Picking a company needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
• How are they compensated?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?

Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agencies

When finding a local agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Santa Fe are classified as either captive or independent.

Captive Agents

Captive agents can only place business with one company such as AAA, Allstate and State Farm. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which can be an advantage.

The following are captive agents in Santa Fe that can give you comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance Co – 1611 Calle Lorca # A – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 820-1442
Farmers Insurance Group – 2500 Camino Entrada # A – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 310-4005
Farm Bureau Insurance – 2801 Rodeo Rd – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 473-0028
State Farm Insurance – 2590 Camino Entrada – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 986-8064

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When searching for an agent, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.

Shown below are independent insurance agencies in Santa Fe who can help you get price quote information.

Robert Fiedler Agency – 418 Cerrillos Rd # 23 – Santa Fe, NM 87501 – (505) 955-1803
A and B Insurance Svc – 718 N Saint Francis Dr – Santa Fe, NM 87501 – (505) 982-8703
Jemez Agency Inc – 621 Old Santa Fe Trl – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 424-8049
Silas Garcia Agency and Assoc – 1443 S Saint Francis Dr – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 982-9863
Santa Fe Insurance Svc Inc – 2801 Rodeo Rd # E1 – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 438-0566

To view a complete directory of Santa Fe insurance agents, please view this page.

After receiving positive responses to your questions as well as a affordable price, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.

Misconceptions in auto insurance advertisements

Allstate and Progressive consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you change your coverage to them. How do they all claim to save you money?

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and has excellent credit. A customer who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will be charged higher prices which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. That is why it is so important to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

More detailed New Mexico auto insurance information is available at the New Mexico Insurance Division website. New Mexico consumers can discover disciplinary actions, read industry bulletins, and download brochures.

Other useful links include this page for auto insurance prices in New Mexico and see this list of insurance agents in Santa Fe.

More effort can pay off

While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

We just presented a lot of techniques to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from the smaller companies. Some small companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than their larger competitors like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced on the web as well as from independent agents in Santa Fe, so you should compare both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.