Ford v. Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance

Carley, Chief Judge.

Prior to 1980, an injured party was allowed to stack multiple uninsured motorist coverages if the tortfeasor was totally uninsured but an injured party was not allowed to do so if the tortfeasor was merely underinsured. See Cotton States Mut. Ins. Co. v. Austin, 143 Ga. App. 309 (238 SE2d 253) (1977). In 1980, the legislature amended OCGA § 33-7-11 (b) (1) (D) so as to redefine “uninsured motor vehicle.” The courts have since construed this redefinition of “uninsured motor vehicle” as evidencing a legislative intent to extend the right to stack multiple uninsured motorist…