Are you looking for cheap auto insurance in Albuquerque? Auto Insurance Center wants to provide you with the best cheap auto insurance coverage and help you learn more about your Albuquerque.

As the most populous city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is known for its International Balloon Fiesta, research facilities and nearby Kirtland Air Force Base.

Located in the Rio Grande Valley, the first Albuquerque inhabitants were the Pueblo people before Spanish explorers arrived in 1540. Spanish colonists established a city in 1706 on the banks of the Rio Grande river to help their crops grow. The city was named “La Villa de Alburquerque” after the Spanish Duke of Alburquerque. The first “r” was later dropped.

In 1850, the city became a part of U.S. territory and in the late 1880s, the railroad arrived in Albuquerque, which increased the city’s population. By 1891, Albuquerque was incorporated as a city.

Because Albuquerque had two of the largest hospitals in the region, many tuberculosis patients were sent to the city in the early 1900s. In 1939, the Kirtland Air Force Base was established. Along with the Sandia Base, Albuquerque played a key role in the Atomic Age.

Albuquerque attractions include: Old Town, ABQ BioPark, Church of San Felipe de Neri, Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, Sandia Peak Tramway and Petroglyph National Monument.

Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico, with basketball program famous for its venue, The Pit. Albuquerque is also home to minor league baseball team, the Isotopes, who are the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Albuquerque Driving Conditions

Albuquerque has a cold semi-arid climate. The annual high temperature is 68.8 degrees and the annual low temperature is 45.4 degrees. Albuquerque experiences around 280 days of sunshine with extended cloudiness rarely occurring. Summer months are hot and winter months receive minimal snowfall.

Though Albuquerque has annual mild weather, drivers should be aware of road hazards caused by wind and flash flooding. Traffic can get congested during peak commuting times in Albuquerque.

Crime Statistics

According to the 2015 Crime in the United States report, New Mexico had 777,094 accounts of property crime and 8,526 accounts of vehicle theft. Within cities and metropolitan areas in New Mexico, vehicle theft was reported 6,901 times.

New Mexico Driver’s License

As a legal resident of New Mexico, you’ll need to obtain a New Mexico driver’s license. Those with a valid out-of-state license are required to take a vision test and pay an application fee.

When you visit the DMV, bring your valid out-of-state license, proof of U.S. residency (birth certificate, passport, etc.), proof of New Mexico residency and proof of your Social Security number.

Seat Belt Laws

The New Mexico Safety Belt Use Act requires all vehicle occupants to wear a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion. Violation can result in fines.

The New Mexico Child Restraint Act states that child safety seats are required for all children under 5. Children who are 5 or 6 and weigh less than 60 pounds are required to be in a booster seat or child safety seat.

Cell Phone & Texting Laws

It is illegal for people to text or talk on the phone while driving. However, drivers are allowed to talk on the phone using hands-free devices.

Odd Law

In New Mexico, it’s a misdemeanor to trip a horse. If the horse is hurt, it becomes a 4th degree felony.

You would be surprised how much insurance rates can vary zip code to zip code even if the zip codes are within the same metropolitan area. This can be for various reasons including higher or lower crime rates in a specific zip code area, accident statistics in that zip code, traffic density in different parts of the city, and even different weather conditions depending on what part of the metro area you are in. This can become even more interesting if you live on the border of a different zip code yet your are paying more for insurance than you would if you lived right across the street. While some people will use this to their advantage and give their insurance company a different address than their actual address to save some money it is not advisable as this may be seen as a form of fraud. 

To find out what your auto insurance rates will be for you zip code either fill out the quick quote form above or call one or more of the local agents below. It is best to call more than one to get them to compete for your business so that you can get the cheapest rates possible. Many people would rather avoid this effort because its more work but its one of the best ways to get cheap auto insurance quotes.