The importance of vehicle liability insurance

Choosing a policy that includes liability insurance not only protects you but also others

Liability insurance is essential in any vehicle policy as it covers expenses in the event of accidents resulting in bodily injury or property damage to other drivers, their passengers, or pedestrians. Having adequate liability coverage helps avoid penalties and fines, as well as personal responsibility for costs related to an accident for which one is at fault, including property damage or personal injuries.

Additionally, liability insurance coverage includes medical expenses and property damage for those involved in the accident who are not at fault. Liability insurance comes in two forms:

Bodily Injury Liability (BI) insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for the other driver, their passengers, and any pedestrians injured in an accident.
Property Damage Liability (PD) insurance covers repair or replacement costs of damaged property, which may include another person’s vehicle as well as other property.

Why is liability insurance important?

The importance of liability insurance lies in its crucial role in covering third parties in case you are responsible for an accident. However, liability insurance typically has coverage limits that vary based on various factors; nearly all states have minimum liability coverage limits for bodily injury and property damage that drivers must carry.

It is important to always have at least the minimum liability insurance required by your state. However, having more coverage can be beneficial to protect your assets. A key advantage of liability insurance is that your insurer will defend you in case of a lawsuit resulting from an accident.

How much coverage is needed?

State-mandated minimum auto liability insurance requirements are typically delineated into three numbers, each separated by a slash. These numbers signify:

Coverage for bodily injury per person.
Coverage for bodily injury per accident.
Coverage for property damage per accident.

The cost of this policy is influenced by several factors such as driving history, type of vehicle, location, age of the driver, and selected coverage limits. Consulting with experts in the field is the best way to acquire comprehensive insurance. Choosing a policy that includes liability insurance not only protects you but also others; remember that safety is a priority.