Cheapest Car Insurance in Albuquerque (2026 Rates)


Quick Take
blueCheck icon

Central: Most affordable for diverse driver types at $34 monthly for minimum coverage and $110 monthly for full coverage.

blueCheck icon

State Farm: Runner-up for affordability with $51 minimum and $145 full coverage monthly rates. It offers competitive rates for drivers with an accident, drivers with a DUI and drivers with a speeding ticket.

blueCheck icon

GEICO: The most budget-friendly option for young drivers and senior drivers in Albuquerque's insurance market.

Cheapest Monthly Rates by Coverage and Driver Profile in Albuquerque:

Cheapest Car Insurance in Albuquerque by Coverage Type

Central offers the lowest minimum coverage in Albuquerque at $34 per month, which is 32% below the city average. State Farm ranks next at $51 monthly for minimum coverage, coming in 8% under average rates. 

For full coverage, Central continues to lead with an average cost of $110 per month, again reflecting a 32% difference from the city average. GEICO places second for full coverage at $133 monthly, priced 7% lower than average local premiums. 

Because rates vary by ZIP code and driving history, comparing quotes from several insurers can help identify the best option for your situation.

Central Insurance$34$110-32%
State Farm$51$145-8%
Kemper$59$145-4%
Geico$65$133-7%
Progressive$75$1433%

Not in Albuquerque? Read more about the cheapest car insurance or the best provider in New Mexico.

Cheapest Albuquerque Car Insurance for Teen and Young Drivers

Young drivers in Albuquerque often pay higher insurance rates due to limited driving history. Central offers the lowest average premium for drivers ages 16 to 25 at $194 per month, making it the most affordable option for many families. 

GEICO follows at $229 monthly, while State Farm ranks third with an average cost of $316 per month. One way young drivers may lower costs is by staying on a parent’s policy rather than purchasing coverage on their own. 

Completing a defensive driving course can also help reduce premiums by 5% to 15%, depending on the insurer.

Note: Teen drivers must meet New Mexico’s licensing requirements and may be subject to additional state rules related to coverage minimums.

Central Insurance$194$2,332-45%
Geico$229$2,743-35%
State Farm$316$3,798-10%
Nationwide$346$4,156-2%
Farm Bureau$356$4,2721%

Cheapest Albuquerque Car Insurance for Senior Drivers

Seniors in Albuquerque have several ways to keep auto insurance costs manageable. Many insurers offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course, with savings of up to 10% that can remain in place for several years. 

Some companies also provide accident forgiveness options for drivers age 65 and older. Based on current rates, Central offers the lowest average full coverage premium for seniors at $151 per month, followed by GEICO at $161 and Nationwide at $163. 

GEICO also offers age-based discounts and credits for approved driver safety courses, which can help further reduce monthly costs for eligible seniors.

Central Insurance$151$1,811-19%
Geico$161$1,936-13%
Nationwide$163$1,959-12%
State Farm$166$1,987-11%
Kemper$177$2,123-5%

Cheapest Albuquerque Car Insurance by Driving Record

Traffic violations often lead to higher insurance costs, but rates can vary widely by provider in Albuquerque. For drivers with a DUI, State Farm offers the lowest average minimum coverage at $55 per month, followed by Central at $60. 

Drivers with a speeding ticket see the lowest rates from Central at $43 monthly, with State Farm next at $55. After an at-fault accident, Central again has the lowest average minimum coverage at $34 per month, while State Farm’s average cost is $59. 

Because pricing differs by insurer after a violation, reviewing quotes from several companies can help identify more affordable options. Speeding tickets may affect rates for three to five years, while DUIs can influence premiums for a much longer period.

At-Fault AccidentCentral Insurance$34-61%
At-Fault AccidentState Farm$59-33%
DUIState Farm$55-43%
DUICentral Insurance$60-38%
Speeding TicketCentral Insurance$43-45%
Speeding TicketState Farm$55-30%

Albuquerque Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

Car insurance costs in Albuquerque differ based on your ZIP code. The least expensive area, ZIP code 87122, averages $133 per month for full coverage, while ZIP code 87107 has the highest average at $164 per month. 

This creates a $31 difference in monthly costs within the same city. Local theft activity, traffic conditions and accident history within each ZIP code help explain why premiums differ from one neighborhood to another.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Albuquerque
87107$164
87123$161
87114$160
87108$149
87121$146
87102$145
87104$143
87131$140
87106$140
87110$140
Least Expensive ZIP Codes in Albuquerque
87122$133
87115$133
87112$134
87111$135
87109$136
87120$136
87101$137
87113$138
87116$139
87131$140

Choose Your Best Albuquerque Car Insurance Company

Central ranks first in Albuquerque with a MoneyGeek score of 100, driven by its strong affordability and well-rounded coverage options. The insurer offers consistently low rates across multiple driver profiles while maintaining reliable customer experience scores.

State Farm, GEICO, Progressive and Nationwide also rank among Albuquerque’s top providers. Each company offers a mix of competitive pricing, dependable claims support and coverage options that meet the needs of New Mexico drivers.

Central Insurance100131
State Farm84246
Geico83356
Progressive83513
Nationwide79665
Central Insurance

Central: Best Overall

checkmarkpros
  • 24/7 claims department for anytime filing

  • Drive Wise program rewards safe drivers

  • Covers high-risk and SR-22 drivers

closecons
  • No 24/7 customer service availability

  • Slower claim processing than larger insurers

  • Limited online services and digital tools

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Central ranks first in Albuquerque for affordable coverage that fits a wide range of local driving needs. The company offers the lowest rates for young drivers, seniors and drivers with at-fault accidents or speeding tickets, based on current pricing data. 

It provides online account tools and mobile app access that support claims filing and policy management. Coverage options include more than basic liability, with choices such as comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist protection and roadside assistance designed for common driving conditions in the area.

State Farm

State Farm: Best Customer Service

checkmarkpros
  • Fast digital claims tracking and settlement

  • Drive Safe & Save discounts up to 30%

  • Coverage available for high-risk drivers

closecons
  • Higher rates than some local competitors

  • Limited modern insurance options like usage-based pricing

  • Fewer coverage choices than top-ranked providers

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Drivers in Albuquerque who value dependable claims support may find State Farm a strong option, backed by 24/7 digital access through the Pocket Agent mobile app. The company’s network of local agents and multi-policy discounts can help drivers manage coverage needs in areas with higher auto theft activity. 

State Farm also offers accident forgiveness options and a range of coverage add-ons, including roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. These features appeal to drivers who prioritize claims support and broad coverage, even at higher average premiums.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates in Albuquerque

Albuquerque drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in New Mexico. Finding affordable coverage requires comparing quotes from multiple insurers.

  1. 1
    Stack Discounts

    Bundle auto with home or renters (15% to 25% off). Add multi-car discounts (10% to 25% per vehicle). Combine good driver, paperless billing and automatic payment for 30% to 40% total savings.

  2. 2
    Raise Your Deductible

    Move from $500 to $1,000 and save 10% to 15% annually. Choose only what you can afford in cash.

  3. 3
    Shop Annually

    Rates change yearly as companies adjust for Albuquerque's risk profile. Your driving record improves after three years, unlocking lower rates.

Cheap Albuquerque Car Insurance: FAQ

We break down coverage options and costs to help you get the financial protection you need at the best price.

Is car insurance in Albuquerque expensive?

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Albuquerque, NM

Finding affordable car insurance in Albuquerque starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and New Mexico's insurance requirements all shape your premium. Even within city limits, full coverage averages about $140 per month in ZIP code 87131, compared to roughly $164 in ZIP code 87107 and $161 in ZIP code 87123.

We partnered with the New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Albuquerque ZIP code.

Our ratings for the best car insurance in Albuquerque use a weighted score: affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%).

Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across Albuquerque neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


Copyright © 2025 MoneyGeek.com. All Rights Reserved