Opinion ID: 1677447
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Y. McDonald Indus. v. INA, 475 N.W.2d 607, 618 (Iowa 1991).

Text: When construing the uninsured and underinsured provisions of an insurance policy it is necessary for us to carefully review both the language of the insurance policy and the provisions of chapter 516A. Iowa Code chapter 516A authorizes automobile insurance coverage for protection against injuries caused by underinsured motorists and uninsured motorists or hit-and-run vehicles. It is mandatory that such coverage be provided by a motor vehicle liability insurance policy unless such coverage is rejected by the insured. Tri-State Ins. Co. of Minnesota v. DeGooyer, 379 N.W.2d 16, 18 (Iowa 1985). We recognize: A statute that authorizes a contract of insurance has application beyond merely permitting or requiring such a policy. The statute itself forms a basic part of the policy and is treated as if it had actually been written into the policy. The terms of the policy are to be construed in light of the purposes and intent of the applicable statute. Id. at 17 (citations omitted); see also Veach v. Farmers Ins. Co., 460 N.W.2d 845, 847 (Iowa 1990).