The appellant, an excess carrier, was correctly held liable for uninsured motorist coverage in the amount of the automobile liability limits because, in direct contravention of Section 627.727(1), Florida Statutes (1981), it did not offer UM protection to the insured. Cohen v. American Home Assurance Co., 367 So.2d 677 (Fla. 3d DCA 1979), cert. denied, 378 So.2d 342 (Fla. 1979).

Affirmed.