Due to the recent wildfires in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, New Mexico, the Superintendent of Insurance is requesting that all property and casualty insurers doing business in New Mexico take the actions described below with respect to any personal property claims filed by victims of the Salt and South Fork wildfires who suffered a total loss of their insured property. These actions are being requested to further the Superintendent’s emergency powers to ensure access to insurance and the stability of insurance markets during the emergency.

On June 18, 2024, the Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued Executive Order 2024-033 declaring an emergency in Lincoln County and on Mescalero Apache Reservation due to these two wildfires. The Superintendent issued Amended Emergency Order 2024-0051 on June 18, 2024, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 59A-2-8(A)(11), which authorizes the Superintendent to take those actions necessary to ensure access to insurance and the stability of insurance markets during the emergency. On June 20, 2024, President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the two areas affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires.

The Office of Superintendent of Insurance is encouraging all property and casualty insurers in adjusting personal property claims of those individuals who suffered a total loss of their insured property who are eligible under the terms of their policy for either limited replacement cost loss settlement or depreciated loss settlement to do the following:

1) Waive any requirement for submitting inventory forms; and

2) Pay 60% of the applicable personal property coverage limited of liability.

The Office of Superintendent of Insurance further requests all property and casualty insurers email a statement of its intent to Margaret Peña at margaret.pena@osi.nm.gov no later than July 30, 2024, whether the requested actions implemented.

NOTICE RE: SALT AND SOUTH FORK WILDFIRE CLAIMS