Patricia Frances Oanes, Appellants v. Allstate Insurance Company, Respondent

Summary

The court held that a claim for underinsured motorist benefits accrues, and the statute of limitations begins to run, when the insured's claim becomes ripe through settlement with or judgment against the tortfeasor. This rule avoids having the limitations period expire before the insured can establish that the tortfeasor was underinsured, while also preventing indefinite postponement of accrual. The court therefore overruled the prior accident-date accrual rule to that extent, reversed the court of appeals, and remanded.