Opinion ID: 215429
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Plaintiffs failed to state claims against the Insurer Defendants under the New Mexico Unfair Insurance Practices Act

Text: Plaintiffs further alleged that the Insurer Defendants violated the New Mexico Unfair Insurance Practices Act, N.M. Stat. §§ 59A-16-1 through 59A-16-30 (UIPA). A purpose of this [act] is to regulate trade practices in the insurance business and related businesses . . . by defining, or providing for determination of, practices in this state which constitute unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices so defined or determined. N.M. Stat. § 59A-16-2. Plaintiffs alleged that the Insurer Defendants violated the UIPA because they and their agents have engaged in unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices, in violation of § 59A-[16]-3. They have also engaged in coercive conduct in violation of § 59A-16-14. They have engaged in illegal rebates and inducements in violation of § 59A-16-15. They have violated the provisions of § 59A-16-17, regarding inducements. They have given rebates in violation of § 59A-16-18. They have engaged in monopolistic practices in violation of § 59A-16-19. They have engaged in conduct which violates § 59A-16-25. (Aplt.App. vol. ii at 529, ¶ 69.) The UIPA, however, applies to title insurance only to the extent it does not conflict with the New Mexico Title Insurance Act. See N.M. Stat. § 59A-30-14(M). In light of that, Plaintiffs cannot state a cause of action under the UIPA based on allegations that the Insurer Defendants complied with the terms of the Title Insurance Act. Further, Plaintiffs did not allege facts involving improper rebates or inducements. The district court, therefore, did not err in dismissing Plaintiffs claims' asserted against the Insurer Defendants under the UIPA. [22]