Blevins v. Government Employees Insurance, 227 Ariz. 456

Blevins purchased GEICO auto insurance in Aug. 2006, with liability coverage and a UIM rejection reflected in the policy.
Blevins was injured in a January 2008 auto accident; after settling with the other driver, he submitted a UIM claim to GEICO which denied it.
Blevins sued GEICO for declaratory judgment, breach of contract, and bad faith.
The trial court granted Blevins summary judgment on the declaratory judgment issue; the remaining claims were settled.
GEICO appealed, arguing § 20-259.01(B) does not require a signed rejection of UIM coverage.
The dispositive issue is whether a signed rejection is required to obtain UIM coverage under § 20-259.01(B).

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether § 20-259.01(B) requires a signed rejection of UIM coverage.	Blevins contends a written rejection form is required by the statute.	GEICO argues the statute only requires a written offer; no signed rejection is necessary.	No express written rejection required; the offer suffices; Ash governs.

State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Ash, 181 Ariz. 167, 888 P.2d 1354 (Ariz. 1994) (insurer need only make the written offer; insured must request coverage)
Tallent v. Nat'l Gen. Ins. Co., 185 Ariz. 266, 915 P.2d 665 (Ariz. 1996) (requires offer and affirmative request for coverage)
Ballesteros v. Am. Standard Ins. Co. of Wis., 226 Ariz. 345, 248 P.3d 193 (Ariz. 2011) (clarifies 1992 amendment and compliance via approved forms)
Estate of Ball v. Am. Motorists Ins. Co., 181 Ariz. 124, 888 P.2d 1311 (Ariz. 1995) (underscores remedial nature of UIM statute)
Calvert v. Farmers Ins. Co. of Ariz., 144 Ariz. 291, 697 P.2d 684 (Ariz. 1985) (remedial construction of the UIM statute)
Orme Sch. v. Reeves, 166 Ariz. 301, 802 P.2d 1000 (Ariz. 1990) (statutory construction applied to UIM statute)