Auto Insurance Minimums for New Mexico

In the state of New Mexico it is required by law that you have minimum liability coverage in the amount of 25/50/10. This ratio translates to $25K of Liability Bodily Injury coverage per person, $50K of Liability Bodily Injury coverage per accident, and $10K of Property Damage coverage.

The New Mexico Public Relation Commission Insurance Division strongly suggests that you purchase more than just the minimum in addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist protection (UM/UIM).  New Mexico has the highest percentage of uninsured drivers than any other state at 29%.  This means that roughly 360,000 motorists defy state law and put you at risk.  This does not include the thousands of other drivers that are inadequately insured.  25/50/10 may sound like a lot, but adequate coverage can be affordable as long as you take the time to shop around for auto insurance quotes.

Those that decide to drive without insurance face the possibility of a misdemeanor, suspension of their vehicle registration, and fines up to $300.  The average cost of car insurance is $1,815 per year.  This really isn’t that much when you consider the potential emotional and financial strain of the alternative.

Purchasing car insurance is simple.  Using resources like Save Today you can easily find reasonable auto insurance quotes that will give you the protection you need and put your mind at ease.

New Mexico DUI Law

Drunk driving has been a major problem in New Mexico in the past. As such, police are cracking down on drunk drivers with more force than ever. Recently, the state established special check points, where police stop drivers at random in order to test for sobriety.

The blood alcohol content level (BAC) limit in the state of New Mexico is 0.08 or higher. Furthermore, there may be sentence enhancements for those who drive with a BAC of 0.15% or higher.

If you are arrested in New Mexico for drunk driving, you may spend up to three months in jail, and will have to pay a $500 dollar fine. In addition, your license may be suspended for up to six months. For a second DUI offence, you will be sentenced to a maximum of 364 days, pay a $500 dollar fine, be ordered to complete a court ordered substance abuse program, and have your license suspended for a minimum of six months.

New Mexico Teen Driving Laws/Auto Insurance Requirements

Teen driving fatalities in New Mexico are all too common, especially among young men ages 16-20. Because of this, New Mexico follows the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. With this new program, teens earn their licenses via extensive and comprehensive driving education.

In New Mexico, you must be at least 15 years old in order to receive an instruction permit. You must also pass a vision test, pass a written knowledge test and be enrolled in a driver education class that is state approved. In addition, teens must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice behind the wheel, including at least 10 hours of driving at night. Permits must be issued six months before the license is acquired.

Under no circumstances should a teen drive a car with a blood alcohol level of 0.02% (one drink’s worth) or above. To do so is against the law. If caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or above, a teen will be given a DUI, face fines up to $500, be ordered to complete community service and have their license suspended.
Teens must also be insured under an auto insurance policy. Since New Mexico is a tort state, driving without auto insurance is taking a major gamble with your financial future. If you are in an accident and are uninsured, and are proven to be at fault, you must pay for all damages and injuries out of pocket.

It is recommended that teens in New Mexico carry more insurance coverage than the state minimum, as teens are more likely to be involved in vehicle collisions.