New Mexico House Bill HB99

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Report Pass: 2/19/25
• Report Pass: 2/26/25
• Engrossed: 3/1/25
• Report Pass: 3/14/25
• Report Pass: 3/17/25
• Enrolled: 3/20/25
• Chaptered: 4/7/25
• Passed: 4/7/25

Caption

Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificates

Impact

The implementation of HB 99 is expected to simplify the administrative process involved with nonrepairable vehicles, benefiting both insurance companies and vehicle owners. By establishing clear criteria and procedures for obtaining salvage or nonrepairable vehicle certificates, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency of insurance transactions and reduce confusion over vehicle title statuses. Vehicle owners will be obligated to comply with specific requirements within set timelines, such as forwarding the certificate of title to the department timely to obtain the appropriate nonrepairable vehicle certificate.

Summary

House Bill 99 aims to reorganize and streamline the provisions related to nonrepairable vehicle certificates under New Mexico state law. The bill provides guidelines for how insurance companies can obtain salvage certificates or nonrepairable vehicle certificates when they pay total loss claims to vehicle owners. Specifically, it clarifies the process that must be followed when an insurance company takes possession of a nonrepairable vehicle and issues these certificates, thereby ensuring that the vehicles cannot be registered or used on state highways once they are classified as nonrepairable.

Contention

While the bill has gained support for its intentions to clarify and strengthen the regulatory framework surrounding nonrepairable vehicles, it may face scrutiny regarding its enforcement mechanisms. Critics could argue that the imposition of strict deadlines and requirements on vehicle owners and insurance companies may create undue burden or confusion, especially in circumstances where communication and documentation may be challenging. Furthermore, the bill's impact on the handling of vehicles that are deemed total losses could be debated, particularly around consumer protection and transparency in insurance claims processes.