$1.2M MetLife UMI Underinsured Motorist Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim? Deadline to File is May 26, 2026

MetLife agreed to pay $1,200,000 to settle a class action lawsuit filed by New Mexico policyholders. The lawsuit claims MetLife illegally reduced underinsured motorist payouts and failed to disclose coverage limitations. The settlement covers roughly 27,000 auto insurance policies issued in New Mexico between October 1, 2010, and January 31, 2022. Eligible policyholders can claim up to $25,000, and the deadline to file is May 26, 2026.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$1,200,000
Claim Deadline	May 26, 2026
Who Qualifies	New Mexico MetLife auto policyholders, Oct. 1, 2010 – Jan. 31, 2022
Payout Per Person	Up to $25,000 (offset subclass) or partial premium refund
Proof Required	Unique ID and PIN from settlement notice
Settlement Status	Preliminarily Approved — Open for Claims
Administrator	Epiq Global (Vega v. Metropolitan Settlement Administrator)
Official Website	metropolitanuimsettlement.com

Where Things Stand Right Now

• The court granted preliminary approval. The final approval hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026.
• The deadline to exclude yourself from the settlement (opt out) is April 27, 2026.
• Payments go out after the court grants final approval and Epiq Global finishes processing all claims.

What Did MetLife Actually Do Wrong?

A New Mexico policyholder named Margaret Vega filed this lawsuit against Metropolitan Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company — the legal entity behind MetLife auto insurance. She alleged that MetLife applied illegal “offsets” to underinsured motorist (UIM) claims. In plain terms, MetLife subtracted the amount the at-fault driver’s insurance paid from her UIM benefit — leaving her with far less than she expected.

The lawsuit also alleged MetLife never clearly explained this limitation when it sold UM/UIM coverage to customers. Buyers thought they were protected up to their full policy limit. They were not.

The claims include breach of contract, negligence, and unfair trade practices under New Mexico law. MetLife denies all allegations but agreed to settle rather than take the case to trial.

Related article: $8M NextEra Energy 401(k) ERISA Settlement, What Employees Need to Know Do You Qualify for a Payment?

Do You Qualify to File a Claim?

The settlement splits eligible policyholders into two groups. Check both carefully.

Offset Subclass — You may qualify if:

• You had a MetLife auto insurance policy in New Mexico between October 1, 2010, and January 31, 2022
• MetLife reduced your underinsured motorist (UIM) claim by the amount the at-fault driver’s liability insurance paid
• The accident involved an at-fault driver who carried some liability insurance (not zero coverage)

Premium Refund Subclass — You may qualify if:

• You purchased a New Mexico MetLife auto insurance policy between October 1, 2010, and January 31, 2022
• Your policy included uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage
• You do not fall into the offset subclass

You do NOT qualify if:

• Your uninsured motorist claim involved an at-fault driver who had no liability insurance at all

How Much Money Can You Get?

Your payout depends on which subclass you belong to.

Offset Subclass: Eligible claimants can receive up to $25,000 in cash. The total pool for this group is capped at $360,000. The settlement administrator will calculate each individual payment based on the number of valid claims filed. The more people who file, the smaller each share may be — but the cap is $25,000 per person.

Premium Refund Subclass: You can receive a partial refund of the UM/UIM premiums you paid during the class period. The administrator calculates this based on the total premiums you paid. The remaining settlement funds — after attorneys’ fees, administration costs, and offset payments — go toward this group.

Important: Premium refund subclass members do NOT need to file a claim. MetLife and Epiq Global will automatically issue payments to this group.

How to File Your Claim (Offset Subclass Only)

1. Visit the official claim website at metropolitanuimsettlement.com
2. Find your unique ID and PIN from the settlement notice MetLife mailed you
3. Log in using those credentials on the claim portal
4. Review your claim details and confirm your personal information
5. Choose your payment method — electronic payment or paper check
6. Submit your claim before May 26, 2026, and save your confirmation number

Prefer paper? Download the PDF claim form at metropolitanuimsettlement.com and mail it to: Vega v. Metropolitan Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 4196, Portland, OR 97208-4196

Estimated time to complete: 5–10 minutes

Key Deadlines at a Glance

Milestone	Date
Settlement Preliminarily Approved	TBD
Claims Period Opens	TBD
Opt-Out (Exclusion) Deadline	April 27, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	May 26, 2026
Objection Deadline	TBD
Final Approval Hearing	July 1, 2026
Expected Payment Date	After July 1, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

 No. You can file your claim directly at metropolitanuimsettlement.com without hiring an attorney. The process takes about 5–10 minutes and only requires the ID and PIN from your mailed settlement notice.

Is this MetLife settlement legitimate?

 Yes. A federal court in New Mexico — case number 1:22-cv-616-JB-SCY — oversees this settlement. Epiq Global, a well-known and court-appointed settlement administrator, manages all claims.

When will I receive my payment? 

The court holds the final approval hearing on July 1, 2026. Payments go out after the court approves the settlement and Epiq Global completes processing. Expect payment several weeks after the July 1 hearing.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

 If you miss the May 26, 2026, deadline, you likely lose your right to a cash payment from the offset subclass. Contact the settlement administrator at 1-877-239-5487 before the deadline if you have any issues filing.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Potentially. A portion of your payment may be taxable, especially if it compensates you for an economic loss you previously deducted. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

What is underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage and why does this matter?

 UIM coverage pays you when the at-fault driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your injuries or damages. MetLife allegedly reduced those payouts by offsetting the at-fault driver’s payout — meaning you received less than your policy promised.

I never received a settlement notice. Can I still file?

 Contact Epiq Global directly at 1-877-239-5487 or write to the administrator at P.O. Box 4196, Portland, OR 97208-4196. They can look up your policy and confirm your eligibility.

Do premium refund subclass members need to do anything to get paid?

 No. If you fall into the premium refund subclass, MetLife and Epiq Global will automatically send your payment. You do not need to file a claim form.

Sources & References

1. Official Settlement Website — metropolitanuimsettlement.com
2. Settlement Agreement — Official PDF
3. Long Form Class Notice — Official PDF

Last Updated: April 10, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.