Farmers Insurance Uninsured Motorist Coverage Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit involving uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM) coverage on New Mexico automobile policies issued by, renewed by, or in effect with certain insurance companies between Jan. 1, 1995 and Nov. 1, 2013. Certain individuals involved in automobile accidents that may have been caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver may be eligible to receive a money payment.

UPDATE: On Feb. 29, 2016, the appeals process is now complete. Farmers is in the process of reviewing the settlement claims. Keep checking this article for updates or check the Settlement Website at www.Stanforth-NM-ClassActionSettlement.com

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Farmers class action settlement include all persons who are or were an insured under any New Mexico Farmers insurance policy issued, renewed, or effective between Jan. 1, 1995 and Nov. 1, 2013, that did not or does not include Equal Limits UM Coverage. The following insurers are included in the class action settlement:

• Farmers Insurance Company of Arizona
• Mid-Century Insurance Company
• Farmers Insurance Exchange
• Truck Insurance Exchange
• Bristol West Insurance Company
• 21^st Century Advantage Insurance Company
• 21^st Century Assurance Company
• 21^st Century Casualty Company
• 21^st Century Centennial Insurance Company
• 21^st Century Insurance Company of the Southwest
• 21^st Century National Insurance Company
• 21^st Century North America Insurance Company
• 21^st Century Premier Insurance Company
• Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Foremost Property & Casualty Insurance Company
• Foremost Signature Insurance Company
• Maryland Casualty Company

You do not have to have had an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver to be a settlement Class Member.

Potential Award

Under the terms of the class action settlement, Farmers has agreed to retroactively reform UM coverage limits to Equal Limits UM Coverage on Farmers policies issued, renewed, or effective between Jan. 1, 1995 and the reformation ending date that is specific to the issuing entity.

Farmers has also agreed to review insurance claims for insureds who had accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers between Jan. 1, 1995 and their applicable reformation ending date. Class Members must submit a timely and valid Claim Form to be eligible for a payment of UM benefits.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

11/4/2014

Case Name

Richard Sanforth Jr., et al. v. Farmers Insurance Company of Arizona, et al., Case No. 1:09-cv-01146-RB-RHS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

Case Summary

The class action lawsuit alleged that UM coverage selection forms in use between Jan. 1, 1995 and Nov. 1, 2013 were invalid with respect to selection of UM coverage in amounts less than liability coverage limits or rejection of UM coverage altogether. Generally, the class action lawsuit claims that Farmers’ UM selection forms were invalid, that Farmers’ insurance policies should be reformed to provide UM limits equal to the policy’s liability limits, and that Farmers insureds who had accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers during the Class Period should be entitled to have their claims adjusted (or readjusted) according to the reformed coverage limits.

The defendants have denied all allegations of wrongdoing but have agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of trial.

Final Hearing

6/6/2014

Settlement Website

www.Stanforth-NM-ClassActionSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Stanforth NM Class Action Settlement
c/o Rust Consulting
P.O. Box 8088
Faribault, MN 55021-9488
1-888-227-0023

Class Counsel

Geoffrey R. Romero, Esq.
LAW OFFICES OF GEOFFREY R. ROMERO

David A. Freedman, Esq.
Joseph Goldberg, Esq.
Vincent J. Ward, Esq.
FREEDMAN BOYD HOLLANDER GOLDBERG URIAS & WARD PA

Ray M. Vargas II, Esq.
THE VARGAS LAW FIRM LLC

David P. Garcia, Esq.
THE LAW FIRM OF DAVID P. GARCIA

Matthew L. Garcia, Esq.
GARCIA IVES NOWARA LLC

Erin B. O’Connell, Esq.
O’CONNELL LAW FIRM LLC

Defense Counsel

Steven J. Hulsman, Esq.
Emily S. Cates, Esq.
LEWIS ROCA ROTHGERBER LLP