2006 New Mexico Statutes - Section 59A-33-10 — Authority of superintendent.

59A-33-10. Authority of superintendent.

A.     The superintendent may approve amendments to policy forms, endorsements, rates, rating plans or minimum premiums different from those normally applicable to a risk in order to apply to each risk assigned by the pool the policy forms, endorsements, rates, rating plans and minimum premiums as are commensurate with the greater hazard of the risk, and expenses involved in insuring the risk, considering in that connection the experience and the physical and other conditions of the risk.   

B.     Rates for any risk assigned by the pool shall be subject to approval by the superintendent in accordance with the applicable procedures provided in Chapter 59A, Article 17 NMSA 1978 so far as applicable.  The superintendent may establish separate rates for any industry or workers' compensation classifications in the pool when the public interest so requires; provided that the rates established are fair, equitable and adequate.   

C.     If the pool or its governing board fails to act within a reasonable time or acts in a manner inconsistent with its rules, regulations, bylaws or articles of agreement or with statutory or case law, regulations of the superintendent or the public interest, the superintendent shall assume the power and duties of the pool and board and cause the pool to act in a manner conformable to law and the public interest.   

D.     The superintendent may direct the pool to release and make public any information he determines to be nonconfidential contained in applications for insurance from the pool and premium and loss information relating to individual risks.   

E.     The superintendent shall develop a marketing assistance plan to seek underwriters for risks assigned to the pool.   

F.     Members of the pool shall report all premium and loss information in a form and at the intervals required by the pool's regulations.   

G.     The superintendent shall adopt a surcharge program for any risks insured by the pool for the purpose of encouraging safety and fully funding any deficit caused by excessive losses.  The surcharge program shall include a minimum surcharge of ten percent of the premium for all risks insured by the pool and shall include higher surcharges for risks with adverse loss experience.   

H.     The superintendent may adopt a retrospective rating plan for any risk insured by the pool that has an annual premium greater than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).  The superintendent may establish the criteria that determine when the retrospective rating plan applies to a particular risk. Any risk not eligible for such a plan within the pool shall be eligible for a surcharge based on its individual risk.   

I.     The superintendent shall adopt a schedule debit plan for any risks insured by the pool that do not comply with loss-control recommendations, have frequency or severity problems, employ underaged or temporary employees or have any exposure that is greater than average for the class.   

J.     The superintendent shall adopt a schedule credit plan for any risks insured by the pool that have a good loss record, as determined in regulations adopted by the superintendent, and that have made a special good-faith effort but have not been able to purchase insurance in the private voluntary market at any reasonable cost.  For the purposes of this section, "special good-faith effort" means, in addition to securing at least two written rejections from insurers in the voluntary market, contacting at least one independent insurance agent who states in writing that the agent has made an independent good-faith effort to locate insurance for the rejected risk in the private voluntary market.