Updated: May 20, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
MoneyGeek compared quotes from multiple providers in New Mexico and found that State Farm is your top car insurance option. It offers the best and cheapest car insurance for DUI drivers, whether you want full coverage or a state minimum policy.
BestAuto InsuranceAfter a DUIBest Companies for DUI Insurance in 2023
Car insurance companies in New Mexico are private entities and can refuse to cover you if you have a DUI. It’s their legal right, even if all drivers in the state must carry auto insurance.
You can expect significantly higher premiums from providers that do offer car insurance to drivers with DUIs. Having a DUI on your record classifies you as a high-risk driver. A DUI can result in an 87.52% increase in your insurance rates and subjects you to various penalties, such as license revocation, installation of an ignition interlock device and mandatory jail time.
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
State Farm and Progressive offer the cheapest car insurance for DUI drivers nationally and in New Mexico. The same two companies earned the top spots in our ranking as the best car insurance companies in the state.
MoneyGeek analyzed estimates from multiple companies offering full coverage car insurance after a DUI. The most affordable are:
| 1 | CompanyState Farm | Annual Premium$1,121 |
| 2 | CompanyProgressive | Annual Premium$1,329 |
| 3 | CompanyAllstate | Annual Premium$1,451 |
| 4 | CompanyFarmers | Annual Premium$1,585 |
| 5 | CompanyMetLife | Annual Premium$2,236 |
MoneyGeek also evaluated providers in New Mexico offering state minimum car insurance for DUI drivers. The cheapest rates are from:
State minimum policies are your cheapest car insurance options, especially after a DUI. However, they may not fully protect you in case of an accident. It’s best to assess your coverage needs to see what amount of coverage is your best option.
| State Farm | Minimum Annual Premium$550 |
| Progressive | Minimum Annual Premium$686 |
| Allstate | Minimum Annual Premium$793 |
| Farmers | Minimum Annual Premium$890 |
| MetLife | Minimum Annual Premium$1,051 |
Policies that meet New Mexico’s minimum car insurance requirements help you save money on premiums while allowing you to operate motor vehicles. However, expenses after an accident can be high, and you may find that minimum coverage doesn’t provide enough protection. You may end up spending more out of pocket, so it’s best to assess how much car insurance you need before deciding on your coverage limits.
In addition to cost, MoneyGeek considered customer satisfaction and financial stability to determine the best car insurance companies for DUI drivers in New Mexico.
State Farm and Allstate came out on top. Whether you’re looking for a state minimum policy or one with full coverage, these two are your best options.
MoneyGeek’s analysis found that State Farm and Allstate top the list of the best car insurance companies for DUI drivers in New Mexico. They’re excellent providers of full coverage car insurance.
Drivers with clean records pay $1,044 per year for full coverage car insurance, but $1,121 if they have a DUI, an increase of 7.30%.
State Farm is one of the most widely-available providers in the country. You can pay for your premium and file a claim through the company’s website or mobile app. However, while other insurers offer a deductible modification or better car replacement coverage, State Farm does not.
You’ll spend $1,451 per year on average for full coverage car insurance from Allstate if you have a DUI. That’s 35.54% higher than the $1,017 safe drivers pay.
Allstate offers discounts for bundling policies, having anti-theft devices in your vehicle and opting for paperless billing. However, its complaint ratio is 1.88, meaning Allstate receives more complaints from its customers than other providers.
If you’re looking for affordable coverage, a state minimum policy is an effective way to save on premiums. However, remember that such a policy may not adequately cover your expenses after a crash.
MoneyGeek’s analysis compared quotes from several providers to determine the best car insurance companies for drivers with DUIs who want minimum coverage.
With State Farm, you’ll spend $550 per year for a minimum policy if you have a DUI on your record. That’s 7.30% higher than the $507 rate for safe drivers.
State Farm offers excellent customer support. You can conveniently pay bills and file claims online. Although State Farm doesn’t offer any unique coverages, its rideshare insurance is a good option for customers who work for rideshare companies.
A DUI on your record increases your annual Allstate rate for a minimum policy to $793. That’s 35.54% higher than the $613 premium for safe drivers.
Allstate offers an early signing discount if you purchase a policy at least seven days before your coverage needs to begin. It also offers discounts for on-time payments. The company, however, receives more complaints than the average auto insurance provider.
A DUI on your driving record increases your annual average premium by 87.52% to $2,125, while the average rate for a non-DUI driver is $1,133 per year. You can compare pre-and post-DUI car insurance costs in New Mexico in MoneyGeek’s table below.
How long does a DUI affect the cost of your car insurance?
A look-back period is the length of time a DUI violation remains on your record. In New Mexico, the look-back period for DUIs is 55 years, which aims to discourage repeat offenses. Second and subsequent DUI convictions subject you to higher fines, longer jail time and extended license revocation periods.
Full Coverage
$1,133
Full Coverage
$2,125This is 88% more expensive.
A driver with no violations pays $1,133 per year on average for full coverage insurance in New Mexico. Meanwhile, the average cost for the same coverage after a DUI is $2,125 annually. High-risk drivers pay 87.52% more for premiums.
Remember that driving history is only one factor affecting car insurance premiums. Insurers consider other qualifiers like your age and residential location. You can use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator to get a customized estimate.
MoneyGeeks's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Jul 26, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
The financial implications of a DUI in New Mexico go beyond paying higher auto insurance premiums each year and may include:
Although drivers in New Mexico are required to be insured to drive within the state, insurers may refuse to sell you car insurance after a DUI conviction. Others may reject your renewal. They’re well within their rights to do so because most of them are private entities.
With a look-back period of 55 years, finding car insurance in New Mexico may be challenging. It might be tempting to purchase a policy from the first insurer that provides you a quote, but comparing estimates from several insurers is in your best interest. Even with a DUI, you should go with the insurance company that best meets your needs.
In most states, you need SR-22 insurance if you have a DUI. It's the most expensive type of insurance available. Fortunately, New Mexico doesn’t require it. However, car insurance for high-risk drivers is still more costly than a standard policy.
MoneyGeek’s guide for high-risk drivers provides the best and cheapest car insurance companies for this driver profile.
The consequences of a DUI conviction aren’t just financial. You may run into legal backlash as well. DUI laws are state-specific, but some common penalties include fines, license suspension, installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) and possible jail time. MoneyGeek details various legal challenges you may encounter with a DUI conviction.
Driving with a BAC at or above 0.08% is considered a DUI
Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures how much alcohol you have in your bloodstream. New Mexico’s DUI Laws prohibit you from operating a motor vehicle if your BAC is 0.08% or above. However, you may still get arrested even with a lower BAC if your driving is impaired. Minors with a BAC of 0.02% or higher can be charged with a DUI.
Driving with a BAC of 0.16% will result in increased penalties
The state charges drivers with a BAC of 0.16% or above with aggravated DUI. Violators must serve at least 48 consecutive hours of jail time for their first offense.
Six months to one year administrative license suspension on the first offense
Your age determines the length of your license suspension. Drivers under 21 lose their license for a year, even if it’s the first offense. Drivers 21 and older receive a six-month license suspension for their first DUI arrest.
Ignition interlocks are mandatory for all convictions.
New Mexico requires ignition interlock devices for all DUI violators.
Ignition interlock licenses allow limited driving privileges.
You can get an ignition interlock license, which allows you to drive vehicles that have IIDs installed.
Open container laws
New Mexico’s Open Container Law complies with federal requirements. Neither drivers nor passengers can have open alcohol containers. A first offense has a $25 fine. Subsequent incidents become misdemeanors, and you may face up to 90 days of jail time on top of a $300 fine.
Finding car insurance for DUI offenders can be challenging. Here are the most commonly asked questions about obtaining car insurance after a DUI offense in New Mexico.
Your insurer decides whether or not to renew your car insurance after a DUI conviction.
In New Mexico, the cost of car insurance after a DUI can increase by up to 87.52%. For example, a full coverage car insurance policy costs $1,133 per year, on average, for a driver with a clean driving record. After a DUI conviction, drivers pay an annual average premium of $2,125 for a similar policy.
State Farm offers the lowest rates in New Mexico for drivers with DUIs. A policy with full coverage car insurance costs, on average, $1,121 per year, while a state minimum policy has an annual premium of $550.
MoneyGeek identified State Farm as the best car insurance company for someone with a DUI. Our scoring system considered multiple factors: affordability, customer experience and financial strength.
Violations typically stay on your record for three to five years. However, DUI in New Mexico remains on your driving history for 55 years.
Most states require drivers to carry an SR-22 after a DUI conviction. While New Mexico does not mandate this, it does require all policies to meet the minimum car insurance requirements of the state. That’s 25/50/10 liability coverage.
MoneyGeek’s study cited the best car insurance companies in New Mexico and those offering the most affordable rates.
To determine the top companies for individuals with DUIs in New Mexico, MoneyGeek analyzed each company’s financial stability, customer satisfaction, claims and affordability based on data and information obtained from state insurance departments and Quadrant Information Services. The rates above are based on a 40-year-old male with and without a DUI driving a 2010 Toyota Camry LE with 12K annual mileage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
