How-to Guide to Finding an Insurance Agent in Santa Fe

Selecting a auto insurance company in Santa Fe, New Mexico can be time consuming since there are a lot of options and picking a good New Mexico car insurance agent is not as easy as just picking up the phone. It’s highly likely you want a competent insurance agent, but also the best rates possible.

With insurance companies like American Family, Allstate, State Farm and independent agents all competing for business in Santa Fe, it’s hard to tell which one will provide the best rates, service and coverage. Fortunately, you can use online price quotes to get a list of insurance agents and price estimates.

Online quotes help locate Santa Fe agents

Agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local agencies is especially important in Santa Fe.

Upon completion of this short form, your insurance data is sent to companies in Santa Fe who will compete for your coverage. There is no reason to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy! You’ll get the best rates AND a local agent.

Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agents

When finding a good insurance agency, there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Santa Fe are categorized either captive or independent.

Independent Agents

These agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Santa Fe willing to provide rate quotes.

Jemez Agency Inc – 1925 Aspen Dr # 502 – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 820-6726
Titan Auto Insurance – 1520 Cerrillos Rd – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 988-1701
Dan Ulibarri Agency – 1424 Luisa St # C1 – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 988-9830
Esparza Insurance – 1447 Saint Michaels Dr – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 984-0767
Leroy Ramirez Agency – 1251 S Saint Francis Dr # 2 – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 983-8855

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents are contracted to one company like AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below is a short list of captive agents in Santa Fe who can help you get comparison quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 2801 Rodeo Rd – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 473-0028
Farmers Insurance Group – 1506 S Saint Francis Dr – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 820-1487
State Farm Insurance – 3005 S Saint Francis Dr # E – Santa Fe, NM 87505 – (505) 820-7926
Allstate Insurance Co – 3140 Cerrillos Rd – Santa Fe, NM 87507 – (505) 424-7277

For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Santa Fe, click here to link.

Choosing a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:

  • How are claims handled?
  • Are they full-time agents?
  • Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
  • Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
  • If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
  • What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?

After receiving positive feedback to all your questions and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

Keep your options open

Licensed agents are indespensible for some people, but New Mexico consumers also have the option to buy from online companies direct. Some companies, such as Farmers Insurance and State Farm, who sell through agents in Santa Fe additionally provide the ability to get quotes and purchase online, so keep that in mind and can also potentially find you lower rates.

If you’re anxious about not having an agent to talk to when buying direct, this is normal but is quickly overcome. Online insurance companies have toll-free phone numbers and other options for getting questions answered.

Do customers save by switching to an online company? That is a tough question to answer since there are many things which can raise or lower premium rates. Some people will tell you that buying car insurance online saves the commission normally paid to an agent. In reality, there are high advertising and marketing costs so the lack of a commission may be a wash.

Much more information about auto insurance in New Mexico can be read on the website for the New Mexico Insurance Division. Click here for link. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, file complaints about a company, and report car insurance fraud.

More related Santa Fe auto insurance information:

Keep this in mind

Drivers leave their current company for a variety of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, extreme rates for teen drivers, questionable increases in premium or denial of a claim. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is actually quite simple.

Cheaper auto insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Santa Fe, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.