Opinion ID: 1817313
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: um insurance

Text: First enacted in 1962, LSA-R.S. 22:1406 D(1)(a) requires that insurance companies provide UM coverage in automobile liability policies equal to the amount of liability coverage. [7] The legislation was intended to promote full recovery of damages for innocent accident victims by making uninsured motorist coverage available as primary protection when the tortfeasor is without insurance and as additional coverage when the tortfeasor is inadequately insured. Hoefly v. Government Employees Insurance Co., 418 So.2d 575 (La.1982); Johnson v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., 425 So.2d 224 (La.1983). Louisiana courts construe the statute liberally, reading UM protection into each automobile insurance policy unless the named insured has signed an express written rejection of such coverage. Roger v. Estate of Moulton, 513 So.2d 1126 (La. 1987). Policy provisions purporting to narrow the coverage mandated by the statute have been invalidated. Seaton v. Kelly, 339 So.2d 731 (La.1976); Niemann v. Travelers Ins. Co., 368 So.2d 1003 (La.1979); Block v. Reliance Ins. Co., 433 So.2d 1040 (La.1983). Although the Legislature has amended the original statute several times, it has never indicated any intent to prohibit UM coverage for exemplary damages. UM coverage protects the insured at all times against the generalized risk of damages at the hands of uninsured motorists; it is not limited to certain situations or to certain degrees of risk. Block.