Case Name: Laura M. JONES, Appellant, v. TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1978-04-04
Citations: 357 So. 2d 231
Docket Number: No. 76-2511
Parties: Laura M. JONES, Appellant, v. TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, Appellee.
Judges: ALDERMAN, C. J., concurs.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 357
Pages: 231–233

Head Matter:
Laura M. JONES, Appellant, v. TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND, Appellee.
No. 76-2511.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
April 4, 1978.
Rehearing Denied May 2, 1978.
Robert V. Romani of Farish & Farish, West Palm Beach, for appellant.
Roy R. Watson II of Adams, Coogler & Watson, West Palm Beach, for appellee.

Opinion:
GREEN, OLIVER, Associate Judge.
We affirm.
The Appellant's minor child died in an automobile accident on August 31, 1975. Several claims arose because of this accident.
The tortfeasor's liability insurer provided coverage in the amount of $15,000.00 per person, and $30,000.00 per occurrence. The Appellant chose to settle her claim against the tortfeasor for $10,000.00, because of the other competing claims. The Appellant also was covered by uninsured motorist insurance in the amount of $15,000.00 per person, and $30,000.00 per occurrence.
The Appellant brought this suit against her uninsured motorist carrier, the appellee, contending that because her initial recovery had been diminished, she was entitled to full coverage under her uninsured motorist policy, in spite of Section 627.727 of the Florida Statutes. The Appellant and Appellee filed Motions for Summary Judgment. Summary Judgment was entered in favor of the Appellee on October 27, 1976.
Section 627.727(2)(b), Florida Statutes, provides:
"(a) For the purpose of this coverage, the term 'Uninsured motor vehicle' shall, subject to the terms and conditions of such coverage, be deemed to include an insured motor vehicle when the liability insurer thereof:
(b) Has provided limits of bodily injury liability for its insured which are less than the limits applicable to the insured person provided under his uninsured motorist coverage".
Paragraph (2)(b) of Section 627.727, Florida Statutes, is explicit in providing that uninsured coverage becomes applicable only when the uninsured policy limits exceed that which is available from the tortfeasor.
There is no provision in either of the policies associated with this case to fill this void. Such claims must be provided for by law or contractual agreement. For this court to hold otherwise is to usurp the powers of the legislature.
The decision of the trial judge granting Appellee's Motion for Summary Judgment is affirmed.
ALDERMAN, C. J., concurs.
DAUKSCH, J., dissents with opinion.'