Stalter Law Blog

Do you drive for a rideshare app such as Uber or Lyft? Have you looked at your automobile insurance policy? Will you be covered if you get in an accident while driving for the app? It may surprise you to learn that New Mexico law generally allows insurance carrier to exclude many types of cove...

Both collision coverage and uninsured motorist coverage potentially apply to your claim, depending on the facts of your case and the terms of your policy.

If you have been injured in an auto accident and the at-fault party lacks adequate insurance, you should consider the coverages available under your own policy. The benefits available to you could depend on the difference between three different types of at-fault drivers: uninsured motorists, und...

Are you a policyholder thinking of suing your insurance company, but worried about how to pay for quality legal representation? Consider a contingency fee agreement, meaning that the attorney fee is calculated as a portion of any settlement or judgment at the conclusion of the case, not on an ...

In New Mexico law, the laws governing insurance companies generally fall into three categories. First, insurance companies must comply with statutes passed by the state legislature. These include statutes specific to the insurance companies, such as the New Mexico insurance code, as well as st...

What is the difference between a first-party insurance claim and a third-party insurance claim? As a general matter, in a first-party claim, you are the policyholder and you are making a claim on your own policy. In a third-party claim, you were harmed by the policyholder and you are making a c...

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque has the highest rate of auto thefts of any city in the United States. Worse, most of those cars that are recovered are contaminated with the fumes and residue of dangerous controlled substances such as methamphetamine. The remediation to make th...

What is exactly is an “excess” policy?

What do you do when you make a legitimate claim but the insurance company delays or denies payment?

There are important differences between collision coverage and UM/UIM coverage.

What happens if you get hit by uninsured motorist?

Have you heard of policy reformation? This is a powerful legal concept that can come into play when an insurance company or agent misled a customer.

I recently had the opportunity to represent a young man who earned extra income while making deliveries for an app. While on his way to pick up a delivery, he was hit by an uninsured motorist who ran a stop sign. My client's car was totaled. After he hired me, we made a claim for benefits unde...

Article 16 of the New Mexico Insurance Code prohibits insurance companies and adjusters from engaging in a variety of abusive practices. Also known as the Trade Practices and Frauds Act or the Unfair Claims Practices Act, the Act was designed to protect policyholders who make legitimate claims fo...

When the police found the vehicle six days after it was stolen, it was trashed--strewn with drug paraphernalia and contaminated with methamphetamine residue.

I recently represented a New Mexico retiree whose health insurance coverage was cancelled by an out-of-state administrator.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies approach claims with one goal in mind: pay as little as possible.

Have you heard of the “pizza” exclusion? If you make any deliveries in exchange for payment, you need to know about this exclusion.

New Mexico law requires all registered vehicles to have insurance coverage. But what does this mean?

This is another example of why one should never take statements by insurance companies at face value.

There are two main types of lawyers who deal with insurance law: those who fight for and protect insurance companies and those who fight for and protect policyholders.

Trump appears to be taking the position that a "virus" exclusion that does not mention "pandemics" is not a reason to deny coverage.

If you own or operate a New Mexico small business, you have likely lost customers and income due to the coronavirus pandemic and associated restrictions. Are you entitled to make an insurance claim to cover some or all of your losses? The answer will depend on the terms of any coverages on you...

New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Russell Toal today announced that New Mexico's major auto insurers have committed to premium refunds, due to reduced driving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

When you pay premiums for an insurance policy, New Mexico law recognizes that you and your insurance company have formed a binding contract. If the insurance company fails to hold up its end of the bargain, you have the right to sue for breach of contract.