Find Car Insurance in Las Cruces, New Mexico

What You Should Know About Car Insurance in Las Cruces, NM

Although Las Cruces has a history that dates back to the Mexican-American War in the 1840s, it was not incorporated as a U.S. city until 1907. There are many remnants of the past in the city — agriculture is still a strong industry in town, thanks to the nourishing Rio Grande, as is ranching. At the same time, the economy is supported by many advanced industries, including aerospace, through the nearby White Sands Missile Range. Residents can find even more high-end employment in El Paso, Texas, an economic powerhouse located just 45 minutes from town.

The New Mexico State University Las Cruces campus has nearly 15,000 students and has played a role in spurring double-digit decennial population growth in Las Cruces over the past century. Its unique, revamped downtown area is very walkable and has many interesting shops offering both traditional and modern experiences.

Aside from the rural areas, most neighborhoods in the city are suburban, which means you will have to do a lot of driving to get around town. Talk to an expert agent to obtain the best auto insurance at the best price in New Mexico, and enjoy the relaxed vibe in Las Cruces as you cruise through its peaceful streets, knowing you have the protection you need for your vehicle.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Las Cruces, New Mexico?

Las Cruces residents benefit from the fact that insurers do not charge high rates for car insurance in New Mexico. You will pay an average of $346 for a minimum liability policy and $1,591 for full coverage. The U.S. average for these policies is $622 and $2,014, respectively. Rates depend on a multitude of factors, so you will have to contact your agent to get a more personalized quote.

What Does It Mean If New Mexico Is an At-Fault State?

There are two basic approaches for how states treat liability for personal injuries after an accident. Some states have adopted a no-fault policy, where, regardless of who causes a crash, both parties involved in an accident must file a claim with their own insurer to recover expenses related to their personal injuries.

New Mexico is an at-fault state, which means that the insurer of the party that caused the accident must pay for the other party’s personal injury costs. In both types of states, property damages are covered by the responsible party’s insurer.

Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Las Cruces

Your zip code will help determine your rate because of several local factors that insurance underwriters review as they prepare your quote. The following table shows that rates can vary between different cities, even if they are in the same vicinity.

City	Full Coverage Insurance	Liability Insurance Coverage
Las Cruces	$120	$33
Chaparral	$127	$32
San Ysidro	$138	$35
Santa Teresa	$125	$33
Vado	$119	$32

How Bundling Your Car and Homeowners Insurance Can Save You Money in Las Cruces

Your agent may ask you if you would like to bundle your home and auto insurance. Bundling is an industry term for getting multiple policies with the same provider. Bundling is very convenient because it means you sign up with and pay your bills to the same company instead of having to deal with multiple providers. Insurers also give you a discount of 5% to 25% for each policy when you bundle.

Getting the best deal involves comparing prices and bundling discounts for your homeowners insurance and car insurance. It requires a lot of research, which your agent will take care of, so you do not have to. Once they review the quotes from various top-tier carriers, your agent will deliver a package of policies tailored to your needs at the most affordable prices available.

What Types of Car Insurance Discounts are Available in Las Cruces?

Las Cruces residents typically pay lower rates than the national and state average, but you can lower your insurance premiums with these and similar types of discounts:

• Retention discount
• Usage-based (telematics) discount
• Low-mileage discount
• Student discount
• Good driver discount

Notable Car Insurance Laws in Las Cruces

Individual municipalities in New Mexico rely on state legislation pertaining to the insurance industry. All New Mexico residents must abide by the following insurance laws:

What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Las Cruces?

If someone causes an accident while uninsured, unless they have some money in the bank, the people who were damaged might not have any way of getting reimbursed. Therefore, states require all drivers to have a policy in place before driving a car. If you live in New Mexico, you must have at least the following coverages if you want to operate a vehicle:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per accident
• $10,000 liability coverage for property damage

What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Las Cruces?

When you operate a vehicle without coverage, you are exposing yourself to significant liability. A serious accident can easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, in New Mexico, you would be subject to these penalties if caught driving while uninsured:

• A $300 fine
• Up to 90 days in jail
• Suspension of driving privileges
• Revocation of registration
• A $30 reinstatement fee for your registration

What Factors Go Into My Car Insurance Cost in Las Cruces?

Insurers consider quite a few details about your car, your neighborhood, and your driving habits to figure out their risk of insuring you and how much to charge you for a policy. These are some of the factors they consider:

• Type of vehicle
• How many years of experience you have
• Your driving record
• Your claims history
• How many miles you drive

Typical Driving Conditions in Las Cruces

Las Cruces is a pretty big city, encompassing over 75 square miles. Traffic is not particularly heavy most of the time, but drivers tend to drive aggressively at times, as is evident from the city’s accident rate.

It does not usually snow or rain much in Las Cruces, but it does get occasional thunderstorms, which can come with heavy winds or sometimes with a spurt of monsoon-like rain, causing flooding on the roads and otherwise difficult driving conditions.

Sandstorms can be a major issue in the city, with some of them making it impossible to drive. For those who prefer public transit, Las Cruces uses Roadrunner Transit buses to transport residents throughout town for free.

How Many Car Accidents Happen in Las Cruces per Year?

New Mexico commissioned a study in conjunction with the University of New Mexico to track the number of accidents in the state. Based on the report, the following are the total accidents for 2023 in Las Cruces and several other cities in the area:

City	Total Crashes
Las Cruces	3,463
Chaparral	126
San Ysidro	40
Santa Teresa	23
Vado	45

How Many Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Are in Las Cruces?

In 2023, 24.1% of New Mexico’s drivers were uninsured, according to the Insurance Information Institute. If a car crashes into your vehicle, there is a decent chance that the driver is uninsured. As a car owner, you should at least have a conversation with your agent about the cost of securing uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. It may be well worth it to get that extra protection to prevent having to shell out serious cash to repair your vehicle if an uninsured driver crashes into your car.