Opinion ID: 1314390
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Stacking of Underinsured Motorist CoveragesInvalidity of Antistacking Language in Policies

Text: In light of the foregoing discussion, this Court holds that so-called antistacking language in automobile insurance policies is void under W.Va.Code, 33-6-31(b), as amended, to the extent that such language is applicable purportedly to uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and an insured covered simultaneously by two or more uninsured or underinsured motorist policy endorsements may recover under all of such endorsements up to the aggregated or stacked limits of the same, or up to the amount of the judgment obtained against the uninsured or underinsured motorist, whichever is less, as a result of one accident and injury. The case of Shamblin v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., ___ W.Va. ___, 332 S.E.2d 639 (1985), is materially distinguishable. In that case we upheld antistacking language applicable to automobile liability insurance coverage. See syl. pts. 4-5 of Shamblin. However, as we stated in syllabus point 5 thereof, antistacking language in the case of liability insurance coverage does not violate any applicable insurance statute or regulation[.] Here, in contrast, antistacking language in the case of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage conflicts with the full indemnification public policy of W.Va.Code, 33-6-31(b), as amended. We also noted this distinction between liability insurance antistacking language and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage antistacking language in note 9 of Shamblin, ___ W.Va. at ___, 332 S.E.2d at 645. See also 8C J. Appleman & J. Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice § 5083.35, at 293 n. 2 (1981) (there are public policy reasons, stated in statutes, not to limit uninsured or underinsured motorist coverages unduly, whereas liability insurance contracts are essentially private agreements not subject generally to same rules). Accordingly, the antistacking language in the case now before this Court, which is applicable purportedly to uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages, see supra section I.B. of this opinion and note 3, is void with respect to such coverages. Thus, the answer to certified question number 6, see supra note 8, is yes; the answer to certified question number 7, see supra note 8, is yes, even if there is antistacking language; and the answer to certified question number 7(a), see supra note 8, is yes.