N.M. Admin. Code § 13.4.8.9

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 13.4.8.9 - LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUAL ADJUSTERS

The superintendent will issue, renew and continue adjuster's licenses for individual adjusters as follows:

A.Electronic submission. The individual applicant shall submit the application electronically or as otherwise directed by the superintendent.

B.Individual requirements. The superintendent shall issue an individual adjuster's license only to an individual who is otherwise in compliance with Chapter 59A, Articles 11 and 13 NMSA 1978 and who has furnished evidence satisfactory to the superintendent that the applicant for license:

(1) is not less than 18 years of age;

(2) is a bona fide resident of this state, or of a state or country that permits residents of this state to act as adjusters therein, except that under circumstances of necessity the superintendent may waive the requirement of reciprocity;

(3) is trustworthy, reliable and can demonstrate a good business reputation, and intent to engage in a bona fide manner in the business of adjusting insurance claims;

(4) has passed the examination required for licensing;

(5) shall not have committed an act that is a ground for license denial, suspension or revocation under the Insurance Code;

(6) has paid the license fee, as set forth in Section 59A-6-1 NMSA 1978; and

(7) has filed the bond as required 13.4.8.11 NMAC, or otherwise demonstrated financial responsibility, as approved by the superintendent.

C.Exceptions for staff adjuster. Paragraphs (2) and (7) of Subsection B of this section shall not apply as to staff adjusters.

D.Exceptions for prior license holders. Individuals holding licenses as adjusters as of July 1, 2017, shall be deemed to meet the qualifications for the license except as provided in Chapter 59A, Articles 11 and 13 NMSA 1978. The examination requirement is waived provided that the individual's license is not allowed to terminate through lapse, or otherwise.

E.Additional requirement for public adjusters. An applicant for a license to act as a public adjuster must, as part of the application, endorse an authorization for disclosure to the superintendent of all financial records of any funds the public insurance adjuster holds as a fiduciary using the form available on the OSI website. The authorization shall continue in force and effect while the public adjuster continues to be licensed in this state.

F.Application form.

(1) The application form may require the following information about the applicant:

(a) proof of the applicant's identity;

(b) name, date of birth, social security number, residence and business addresses, and email address;

(c) personal history;

(d) business experience, including experience, special training or education pertaining to insurance adjusters;

(e) previous licensing information, including:

(i) whether the applicant was ever previously licensed to transact insurance or adjusting in this state or elsewhere;

(ii) whether any license was ever refused, suspended or revoked;

(iii) whether any insurer or member of the public claims that the applicant is indebted to it, and if so, the details of the claim; and

(iv) whether the applicant has ever had a contract or appointment with an insurer canceled and, if so, the facts of the cancellation;

(f) type or types of adjuster's license applied for;

(g) if the applicant will be adjusting workers' compensation claims, then an in-state physical address for the business entity;

(h) the NAIC number and name of the company holding a New Mexico certificate of authority that is sponsoring the applicant, if applicable;

(i) such other pertinent information and matters as the superintendent may reasonably require.

(2) The superintendent may require any application to be in the applicant's handwriting and under the applicant's oath.

G.Approval. Before approving an application and issuing a license, the superintendent shall confirm that:

(1) all of the applicant's answers to the questions on the application are complete, truthful and satisfactory, including acknowledgment and explanation of any prior criminal charges;

(2) if the applicant is applying for a resident license, the applicant does not currently hold an active New Mexico resident or nonresident license or an active resident license in another state;

(3) if the applicant is applying for a resident license, the applicant has provided an in-state residential or business address (a post office box does not satisfy this requirement), unless the applicant has designated New Mexico as the home state for licensing purposes only;

(4) if the applicant is applying for a nonresident license, the applicant currently holds an active resident license in another state or designated home state that requires an examination;

(5) if applying for a resident license, the applicant has passed the required examination, or if applying for a nonresident license, the applicant has passed the required examination in the applicant's home state or designated home state;

(6) the applicant has provided at least five years of employment history without gaps in the employment record;

(7) the applicant's fingerprints have been submitted for purposes of a state and federal background check, and

(a) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1033, no individual who has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust may be licensed as a resident adjuster, unless the person has the written consent of the superintendent;

(b) pursuant to the Criminal Offender Employment Act found at Section 28-2-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, any prior criminal record shall be considered in connection with application for any license; and

(c) if the results of the background check have not been received or indicate a need for further investigation, the application will not be approved pending further review;

(8) the applicant has satisfied both the general and specific requirements and has provided any additional information necessary for the adjuster's license requested or as required by the superintendent based the initial application answers;

(9) the applicant has submitted the application fee as set forth in Section 59A-6-1 NMSA 1978; and

(10) if the applicant is a citizen of a foreign county, then the application shall include proof that the applicant is eligible to reside and work in the United States.

H.Requirements for nonresident applicants and licensees.

(1) A nonresident adjuster's licensee must designate the superintendent for service of process in accordance with the application requirement for nonresident licensees.

(2) Upon submission of the required application and payment of the license fee set forth in Section 59A-6-1 NMSA 1978, the superintendent may issue a nonresident license to an applicant for an adjuster's license who is not a permanent resident of this state, if the applicant is currently licensed as a resident adjuster in the applicant's home state or designated home state and the applicant satisfies all of the following:

(a) currently holds a valid adjuster's license, of the same type as the license applied for, in another state that requires a qualifying examination of sufficient scope as required by the superintendent;

(b) meets the requirements set forth in Subsection B of this section;

(c) is self-employed as an adjuster or associated with or employed by a business entity or other adjuster in the adjuster's home state or designated home state; and

(d) discloses whether the applicant has ever had any license or eligibility to hold any license declined, denied, suspended, or revoked, whether the applicant has ever been placed on probation and whether an administrative fine or penalty has been levied against the applicant and, if so, the reason for the action.

(3) Each individual who holds a nonresident license shall comply with all requirements of this rule and with other rules and laws of this state applicable to adjusters, including the requirements on record maintenance for each license type and for financial responsibility as set forth in 13.4.8.11 NMAC.

(4) As a condition of doing business in this state, a nonresident adjuster shall submit an affidavit certifying that the licensee is familiar with and understands the laws set forth in Article 13 of 59A NMSA 1978, these rules, and the terms and conditions of the types of insurance contracts that provide coverage on real and personal property. The affidavit shall be provided initially and upon renewal, using the form available on the OSI website. Compliance with this filing requirement is necessary for the issuance, continuation, reinstatement, or renewal of a nonresident adjuster's license.

N.M. Admin. Code § 13.4.8.9

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXX, Issue 11, June 11, 2019, eff. 7/1/2019