Insurance & New Mexico Law Articles
33 articles on insurance bad faith, auto coverage, and New Mexico law. Stalter Law has merged with 505 Legal, P.C. — for help with an insurance dispute, contact 505 Legal.
Insurance Bad Faith & Your Rights
11 articlesFive Reasons Why Waiting Is a Bad Strategy with an Insurance Company
When an insurer delays your claim, patience can backfire. Here are five reasons to act promptly and strategically to protect your recovery.
What Do I Do if My Insurance Company Is Acting in Bad Faith?
Suspect bad faith? Request your full policy, keep paying premiums, build a paper trail, and consult an attorney who represents only policyholders.
Insurance Bad Faith Cases with a Contingency Agreement
A contingency fee lets policyholders pursue insurance bad faith claims without paying by the hour — so a strong case isn't limited by your budget.
Sources of New Mexico Insurance Law
New Mexico insurance law comes from three sources: legislative statutes, Superintendent of Insurance regulations, and court-made common law.
Misleading Insurance Sales Practices
New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act prohibits agents from misrepresenting coverage — a gap often discovered only when you file a claim.
Insurance Bad Faith Statute of Limitations
Insurance cases can involve several deadlines under different New Mexico laws. Missing the statute of limitations can end your claim for good.
When Your Own Insurance Company Refuses to Pay Your Claim
When your insurer delays or denies a legitimate claim, New Mexico law gives policyholders powerful rights under statute and common law.
Unfair Claims Practices in New Mexico
New Mexico's Insurance Code bars insurers and adjusters from a long list of abusive claims practices designed to shortchange legitimate claims.
The Insurance Company Made a Low Offer
Insurers often make a quick, low settlement offer to pressure claimants. Once you settle, your case is over — so understand the offer first.
The Two Types of Insurance Attorneys
Insurance lawyers fall into two camps: those who defend insurance companies and those who fight for policyholders. The difference matters.
An Insurance Policy Is an Enforceable Contract
When you pay premiums, New Mexico law treats your insurance policy as a binding contract — and gives you the right to sue if the insurer fails to honor it.
Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
7 articlesUninsured, Underinsured, and Unknown Motorists
Your recovery can hinge on whether the at-fault driver was uninsured, underinsured, or unknown. Here's how New Mexico law treats each.
The Difference Between Collision Coverage and Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Collision coverage pays for vehicle damage regardless of fault; UM/UIM covers bodily injury and property damage caused by an uninsured driver.
The Dangers of Rejecting Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Liability coverage won't pay for your own injuries. Rejecting UM/UIM coverage can leave you with no recourse when an uninsured driver hits you.
Automobile Insurance Policy Reformation
If an insurer or agent failed to properly offer UM/UIM coverage, New Mexico's reformation doctrine may add that coverage back into your policy.
Required Vehicle Coverages in New Mexico
New Mexico requires liability coverage and insurers must offer UM/UIM. Learn which auto coverages are mandatory and which protect you most.
Uninsured Motorist / Underinsured Motorist Coverage Stacking
Stacking can combine UM/UIM coverage across multiple vehicles for greater benefits — an option insurers would rather you didn't know about.
What Is Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
UM/UIM coverage protects you for injuries and property damage caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or unknown motorist on New Mexico roads.
Auto Claims & Coverage
7 articlesRideshare Collisions
Driving for Uber or Lyft? New Mexico law lets insurers exclude coverage for business use — so you may not be covered in a rideshare crash.
Your Car Was Stolen and Damaged in the Process — Which Coverage Do You Use?
When a stolen car is recovered damaged, both collision and uninsured motorist coverage may apply. UM property damage has just a $250 deductible.
First-Party Claims Compared to Third-Party Claims
The difference between a first-party and third-party insurance claim shapes your rights — and sometimes you have first-party rights even on another's policy.
Toxic Combination: Car-Stealing Drug Addicts and Unfair Insurance Tactics
Albuquerque leads the nation in auto thefts, and recovered cars are often meth-contaminated. Then some insurers compound the harm with unfair tactics.
Crucial Evidence in a Car Crash Case
New Mexico requires drivers to report serious crashes, and police lapel-camera footage and other early evidence can make or break your case.
What Is the Difference Between Primary and Excess Coverage?
An "excess" policy pays only after a primary policy's limits are exhausted. Insurers sometimes misuse "excess only" to deny valid claims.
The Pizza Exclusion
A "pizza" or business-use exclusion can void coverage if you crash while making deliveries — but it may not be valid against UM/UIM coverage.
Injury Claims & Legal Process
5 articlesWhat Are Medicare Conditional Payments?
When Medicare pays for injuries caused by someone else, those payments are "conditional" — and Medicare can recoup them from your settlement.
What Is a Contingency Fee Agreement?
In a contingency fee agreement, the attorney's fee is a share of the recovery — so if the case isn't successful, you typically owe no fee.
New Mexico Mobile Home Park Law
Mobile home park residents have legal rights to a properly maintained park and freedom from harassment and discrimination under New Mexico law.
New Mexico Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations sets the deadline to file your case — or lose it forever. Deadlines vary by claim type and who is at fault in New Mexico.
How Long Will My Bodily Injury Case Take?
Injury cases often take years. Learn why settling before you reach maximum medical improvement can cost you, and what drives the timeline.
Case Results
3 articlesHit by an Uninsured Motorist While Driving for a Delivery App
A delivery driver was denied UM/UIM benefits because he was logged into an app. We took the insurer to court — and won.
Insurance Company Lies After Policyholder's Car Is Totaled by Meth Residue
After a stolen car was totaled by meth contamination, we caught the insurer in several lies, filed suit, and secured a settlement for our client.
Third-Party Administrator Pays for Wrongful Cancellation of Coverage
After a retiree's health coverage was wrongly cancelled, we filed suit under the Unfair Practices Act and the administrator settled before answering.