Opinion ID: 2093625
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: is less than the applicable limit for under-insured motorist coverage under this policy; or

Text: b. has been reduced by payments to other persons who sustained bodily injury in the accident to an amount less than the limit for under-insured motorist coverage under this policy. [¶ 24] Nodak's 1994 Automaster policy follows the statutory definition for underinsured motor vehicle. See N.D.C.C. § 26.1-40-15.1(2). Under the language in the 1994 policy, the tortfeasor's vehicle is not an underinsured vehicle, because the tortfeasor's liability insurance is equal to DeCoteau's underinsured coverage. Under the 1994 policy, DeCoteau has not met the threshold for underinsured coverage in N.D.C.C. § 26.1-40-15.1(2), and he therefore is not entitled to underinsured proceeds under that policy. [¶ 25] Because DeCoteau may be entitled to underinsured benefits under our statutory provisions for underinsured coverage and the 1992 policy, but he is not entitled to underinsured benefits under our statutory provisions and the 1994 policy, we conclude there is a material issue of fact about which version of the policy was in effect when the accident occurred on October 6, 1994.