Carnival Ride Insurance: Overview

The Carnival Ride Insurance Act is a part of the Regulation and Licensing Department, of the State of New Mexico. The act certifies and regulates the carnival ride industry according to the rule and regulations set forth in the New Mexico Carnival Ride Insurance Act. The mission of the act is to ensure the health and safety of all citizens who ride carnival rides. All rides, inclusive of mechanical rides, aquatic devices, bungee jumping rides, etc., are to be certified by a National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) inspector, and all documentation completed and turned in annually to the act office.  The act also certifies each and every ride annually.

There are rides that are excluded by the act, such as kiddie rides designed for children 12 and younger, and include merry-go-rounds. An operator can have up to six (6) “kiddie” rides before having to be certified by the act. Other types of rides not included in the act are playground equipment, coin-operated devices, or small promotional events.

Rides that must be certified are required to carry at least three million dollars of insurance, per occurrence for injury to person arising out the operation of the carnival ride. Each ride must be inspected and annually certified by a National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) inspector, and classified as to the type of ride. No carnival ride can be operated before being certified by the Carnival Ride Insurance Program Administrator.

Please review the menu below to see if your questions can be answered first.  If you do not find the answer, please feel free to contact Paulina Braiman-Robinson.

Paulina Braiman-Robinson
Program Administrator
Regulation and Licensing Department
Office of the Superintendent
2550 Cerrillos Road, 3rd. Floor
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
Tel:  (505) 476-4853
Fax: (505) 476-4511   
paulina.robinson@state.nm.us