Opinion ID: 1803523
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: La R.S. 22:1406 v. Choice-of-law Analysis

Text: The issue for our consideration is whether Louisiana law automatically applies to a foreign UM policy in a multistate case when the accident occurs in Louisiana and involves a Louisiana resident, or whether our courts must engage in a choice-of-law analysis to determine which state's law is applicable. Foreign insurers generally argue that the State of Louisiana has no authority to modify contracts written in other states. However, Louisiana has expressed as a public policy its intent to protect Louisiana residents and others when an accident occurs on Louisiana roads. Our stated goal is to promote full recovery for innocent automobile accident victims by mandating minimum liability insurance coverage and making coverage available when the tortfeasor is uninsured or underinsured. See Martin v. Champion Ins. Co., 95-0030 (La.6/30/95), 656 So.2d 991, 994. The first, second, and third circuit courts of appeal have held that courts must conduct a choice-of-law analysis to determine which state's UM law applies, even when the accident occurs in Louisiana and involves a Louisiana resident. See, Zuviceh v. Nationwide Ins. Co., XXXX-XXXX (La.App. 1st Cir.5/11/01), 786 So.2d 340, writ denied, 2001-2141 (La.11/09/01), 801 So.2d 373; Adams v. Thomason, 32,278 (La.App.2d Cir.3/1/00), 753 So.2d 416, writ denied, XXXX-XXXX (La.6/16/00), 764 So.2d 965; Anderson v. Oliver, 91-1102 (La.App. 3rd Cir.1/7/98), 705 So.2d 301, writ denied, 98-0755 (La.5/8/98), 718 So.2d 434. Conversely, the fourth and fifth circuit courts of appeal have held that Louisiana law automatically applies to any UM policy when the accident occurs in Louisiana and involves a Louisiana resident, including a UM policy issued and negotiated in a foreign jurisdiction. See, Dekeyser v. Automotive Casualty Ins. Co., 97-1251 (La.App. 4th Cir.2/4/98), 706 So.2d 676; Austin v. Western World Ins. Co., 99-2541 (La.App. 4th Cir.5/17/00), 765 So.2d 390, writ denied, XXXX-XXXX (La.9/22/00), 768 So.2d 1288; Crutchfield v. Landry, XXXX-XXXX (La.App. 4th Cir.1/31/01), 778 So.2d 1249; and Drew v. Martello, 98-1141, 98-1142 (La.App. 5th Cir.2/23/99), 729 So.2d 90.