Lanning v. Allstate Insurance

EXUM, Chief Justice.

This is a declaratory judgment action brought to determine plaintiffs’ rights under an automobile insurance policy issued by defendant Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate). At issue is whether N.C.G.S. § 20-279.21 (1989) requires that the UM coverage limits on each of three vehicles insured in the policy be aggregated, or “stacked.” If it does not, the next question is whether the nature of the policy itself and the language it employs requires such stacking. We conclude, for the reasons given below, that the answers to both questions are no.

I

The parties have stipulated…