What Is Bodily Injury Liability?

When it comes to auto insurance, understanding your coverage options is essential for protecting yourself and others on the road. Bodily Injury Liability coverage is a crucial component of your policy, providing financial protection if you injure someone in a car accident. In this guide, we'll explore what Bodily Injury Liability covers, how much coverage you need, and its importance in safeguarding your financial well-being.

Bodily injury liability coverage is designed to help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, legal fees, and other costs if you're found responsible for injuring someone in an auto accident. As one of two types of auto liability coverage – the other being property damage liability – bodily injury liability plays a significant role in protecting your assets and finances in the event of a lawsuit.

What does bodily injury liability cover?

If you injure someone else in a car accident, bodily injury liability coverage covers their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, legal fees, and other damages resulting from their injuries. Examples include hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for pain and suffering.

How much bodily injury liability do I need?

The amount of bodily injury liability coverage you need depends on state mandates, which vary across the country. It's crucial to understand your state's requirements and ensure you have adequate coverage to comply with the law. Failure to meet these requirements can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, and legal action.

Bodily injury limits

Bodily injury liability coverage typically has two limit amounts: per-person and per-accident. The per-person limit is the maximum amount your insurance will pay for injuries to a single individual, while the per-accident limit is the total amount it will pay for all injuries in a single accident. Choosing the appropriate coverage limits is essential for ensuring you're adequately protected in a lawsuit.

How much does bodily injury liability cost?

Several factors influence the cost of bodily injury liability coverage, including (but not limited to):

• Age

• Location

• Driving history

• Coverage limits

Generally, higher coverage limits result in higher premiums, but the peace of mind and financial protection they provide are well worth the investment.

How bodily injury liability works 

In the event of an accident, the bodily injury liability coverage kicks in to cover the injured party's medical expenses and other damages. The claims process typically involves notifying your insurance provider, providing relevant information and documentation, and working with your insurer to resolve the claim efficiently. Additionally, umbrella insurance can provide an extra layer of protection beyond your standard auto policy.

Bodily injury liability vs. other types of coverage

Here’s how bodily injury liability coverage stacks up against other types of car insurance coverage:

• Property damage liability: Covers damage to another driver’s property.
• Liability car insurance: Protects you if you cause an accident that hurts someone else or damages their property.
• Comprehensive insurance & collision coverage: Protects your vehicle from damage.
• Medical payments coverage: Helps cover your own accident-related medical expenses, regardless of fault.

For more information on car insurance basics, check out our overview in Car Insurance 101. If you're interested in learning about different types of auto insurance, including bodily injury liability, property damage coverage, comprehensive insurance, and collision insurance, visit our auto insurance page.

Updated 5-1-24