Section 38-1-7 - Purpose of act. - New Mexico Statutes

38-1-7. Purpose of act.

The purpose of this act [38-1-7 to 38-1-11 NMSA 1978] is to subject certain insurers to the jurisdiction of courts of this state in suits by or on behalf of insureds or beneficiaries under insurance contracts.   

The legislature declares that it is a subject of concern that many residents of this state hold policies of insurance issued or delivered in this state by insurers while not authorized to do business in this state, thus presenting to such residents the often insuperable obstacle of resorting to distant forums for the purpose of asserting legal rights under such policies. In furtherance of such state interest, the legislature herein provides a method of substituted service of process upon such insurers and declares that in so doing it exercises its power to protect its residents and to define, for the purpose of this statute, what constitutes doing business in this state, and also exercises powers and privileges available to the state by virtue of Public Law 15, 79th Congress of the United States, Chapter 20, 1st Session, S. 340 [59 Stat. 33], which declares that the business of insurance and every person engaged therein shall be subject to the laws of the several states.