Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford Settlement

New Mexico policyholders who had underinsured motorist coverage with Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford between Dec. 29, 2014, and March 18, 2022, or with Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest between Jan. 1, 2019, and March 18, 2022, may be eligible to claim a cash payment or premium refund from a class action settlement.

Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford and Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest agreed to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging they collected premiums for misleading or illusory underinsured motorist automobile insurance coverage and improperly reduced or denied UIM benefits by applying offsets for amounts at-fault drivers paid.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• A New Mexico automobile insurance policy issued by Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford between Dec. 29, 2014, and March 18, 2022, or by Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest between Jan. 1, 2019, and March 18, 2022, insured them.
• Their policy included underinsured motorist coverage.
• The policy covered them as a policyholder, named insured, passenger or authorized driver during the class period.

Individuals may qualify even if the defendants no longer insure them, they were not the named insured, they previously made a claim or they never made a claim.

Heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of eligible individuals are also included as class members

How much can class members receive?

The settlement offers two main types of monetary award. Class members must select only one benefit; they cannot receive both.

• Option 1: Additional UIM benefits: Class members who were injured in a car accident and whose UIM claim Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford or Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest denied or reduced due to an offset (in which Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of Hartford or Hartford Insurance Co. of the Midwest reduced their UIM benefits by the amount of the at-fault driver’s liability coverage) may be eligible for a payment equal to the amount of the offset (subject to a review of their damages). The actual amount class members receive may be less than the full offset, depending on their damages. Some class members may receive nothing if their damages do not support a higher payment. Those who represent a wrongful death claim do not need to file a claim form. The settlement administrator will automatically pay them if they are eligible.
• Option 2: Premium refund: Class members who paid premiums for UIM coverage can claim a refund of 23% of all UIM premiums they paid during the class period.

How to claim a settlement payout

Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete the PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is May 22, 2026.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Soleil and Hammonds v. Hartford, c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 2775, Portland, OR 97208-2775

Required information and documentation

To file an online claim, class members must provide the unique ID and PIN printed on the settlement notice they received in the mail or via email. Those who did not receive a notice or who lost theirs should contact the claims administrator at 1-877-702-7792 for assistance.

The claims administrator may require documentation to support claims, especially if they seek additional UIM benefits due to an offset. Class members claiming a premium refund may need to provide their class member ID or other identifying information. Those submitting a claim as a legal representative must provide proof of their authority.

Payout options

• Electronic payment
• Paper check

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $617,500
• Service awards to class representatives: $10,000 each ($30,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: Amount varies based on claims submitted

The settlement is not subject to proration; the defendants will pay the costs of administration, attorneys’ fees and service awards separately from the payments to class members.

Important dates

• Deadline for exclusion: Feb. 21, 2026
• Final settlement hearing: March 23, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: May 22, 2026

When is the Soleil and Hammonds v. Hartford payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments within 30 days of claim approval or 120 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement, whichever is later.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged the defendants collected misleading or illusory premiums for UIM coverage and improperly reduced or denied UIM benefits by applying an offset for amounts paid by at-fault drivers.

The defendants denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of further litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQ