N.M. Admin. Code § 13.2.8.15 - QUALIFIED JURISDICTIONS

If, upon conducting an evaluation under this section with respect to the reinsurance supervisory system of any non-U.S. assuming insurer, the superintendent determines that the jurisdiction qualifies to be recognized as a qualified jurisdiction, the superintendent will publish notice and evidence of such recognition in an appropriate manner. The superintendent may establish a procedure to withdraw recognition of those jurisdictions that are no longer qualified.

A. In order to determine whether the domiciliary jurisdiction of a non-U.S. assuming insurer is eligible to be recognized as a qualified jurisdiction, the superintendent will evaluate the reinsurance supervisory system of the non-U.S. jurisdiction, both initially and on an ongoing basis, and consider the rights, benefits and the extent of reciprocal recognition afforded by the non-U.S. jurisdiction to reinsurers licensed and domiciled in the U.S. The superintendent will determine the appropriate approach for evaluating the qualifications of such jurisdictions, and create and publish a list of jurisdictions whose reinsurers may be approved by the superintendent as eligible for certification. A qualified jurisdiction shall agree to share information and cooperate with the superintendent with respect to all certified reinsurers domiciled within that jurisdiction. Additional factors to be considered in determining whether to recognize a qualified jurisdiction, in the discretion of the superintendent, include but are not limited to the following:

(1) the framework under which the assuming insurer is regulated;

(2) the structure and authority of the domiciliary regulator with regard to solvency regulation requirements and financial surveillance;

(3) the substance of financial and operating standards for assuming insurers in the domiciliary jurisdiction;

(4) the form and substance of financial reports required to be filed or made publicly available by reinsurers in the domiciliary jurisdiction and the accounting principles used;

(5) the domiciliary regulator's willingness to cooperate with U.S. regulators in general and the superintendent in particular;

(6) the history of performance by assuming insurers in the domiciliary jurisdiction;

(7) any documented evidence of substantial problems with the enforcement of final U.S. judgments in the domiciliary jurisdiction. A jurisdiction will not be considered to be a qualified jurisdiction if the superintendent has determined that it does not adequately and promptly enforce final U.S. judgments or arbitration awards;

(8) any relevant international standards or guidance with respect to mutual recognition of reinsurance supervision adopted by the international association of insurance supervisors or successor organization; and

(9) any other matters deemed relevant by the superintendent.

B. A list of qualified jurisdictions shall be published through the NAIC committee process. The superintendent will consider this list in determining qualified jurisdictions. If the superintendent approves a jurisdiction as qualified that does not appear on the list of qualified jurisdictions, the superintendent will provide thoroughly documented justification with respect to the criteria provided under Paragraphs (1) to (9) of this subsection.

C. U.S. jurisdictions that meet the requirements for accreditation under the NAIC financial standards and accreditation program shall be recognized as qualified jurisdictions.

D. Recognition of certification issued by an NAIC accredited jurisdiction.

(1) If an applicant for certification has been certified as a reinsurer in an NAIC accredited jurisdiction, the superintendent has the discretion to defer to that jurisdiction's certification, and to defer to the rating assigned by that jurisdiction, if the assuming insurer submits a properly executed Form CR- 1 and such additional information as the superintendent requires. The assuming insurer shall be considered to be a certified reinsurer in this state.

(2) Any change in the certified reinsurer's status or rating in the other jurisdiction shall apply automatically in this state as of the date it takes effect in the other jurisdiction. The certified reinsurer shall notify the superintendent of any change in its status or rating within 10 days after receiving notice of the change.

(3) The superintendent may withdraw recognition of the other jurisdiction's rating at any time and assign a new rating in accordance with Subsection I of 13.2.8.14 NMAC.

(4) The superintendent may withdraw recognition of the other jurisdiction's certification at any time, with written notice to the certified reinsurer. Unless the superintendent suspends or revokes the certified reinsurer's certification in accordance with Subsection I of 13.2.8.14 NMAC, the certified reinsurer's certification shall remain in good standing in this state for a period of three months, which shall be extended if additional time is necessary to consider the assuming insurer's application for certification in this state.

E. Mandatory funding clause. In addition to the clauses required under 13.2.8.27 NMAC, reinsurance contracts entered into or renewed under this section shall include a proper funding clause, which requires the certified reinsurer to provide and maintain security in an amount sufficient to avoid the imposition of any financial statement penalty on the ceding insurer under this section for reinsurance ceded to the certified reinsurer.

F. The superintendent will comply with all reporting and notification requirements that may be established by the NAIC with respect to certified reinsurers and qualified jurisdictions.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 13.2.8.15

7/1/97; Recompiled 11/30/01, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 14, July 24, 2018, eff. 7/24/2018, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 12, June 21, 2022, eff. 7/1/2022