State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Bookert

We granted certiorari to review the Court of Appeals’, decision in State Farm Mutual Auto. Ins. Co. v. Bookert, 330 S.C. 221, 499 S.E.2d 480 (Ct.App.1997). We reverse.

State Farm brought this declaratory judgment action to determine the extent of coverage it owed under the under-insured motorist provision of an automobile policy issued to respondent Mary Bookert (Mary). The parties stipulated to these facts: Mary’s son, respondent Michael Bookert, is an insured under Mary’s policy. Michael and some friends stopped at a Hardee’s, where two soldiers and about fifteen other young men became…