Bodily injury liability is car insurance coverage that pays for other people’s injuries and related expenses if you are at fault in an accident. It helps cover medical bills, lost wages, and sometimes legal defense costs for the other person or people you injure in a crash. Key points
- Part of auto liability coverage: BI liability is typically bundled with your standard liability policy; you don’t need a separate “bodily injury” policy. If you’re found at fault, BI kicks in to cover the other party’s injuries up to your policy limits.
- What it covers: Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and, in some cases, legal fees if there’s a lawsuit brought by the injured party. It does not pay for your own injuries or property damage to your own vehicle. Those would be handled by other coverages (like PIP/medical payments for you, and property damage liability or collision for your car).
- Limits and requirements: Each state sets minimum required liability limits; you may choose higher limits for greater protection. Typical conversations involve deciding per-person and per-accident limits (e.g., $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident). Your insurer can explain options and legal requirements in your state.
- Differences from related coverages:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage can pay your own medical bills and your insured passengers, regardless of fault (where available). BI is specifically about others’ injuries when you’re at fault.
* If you’re at fault and the other driver sues, BI may help cover legal fees up to the policy limits.
Practical takeaways
- If you drive, BI liability is typically required or highly recommended, as it protects you from financial exposure if you cause an accident with injuries. Understanding your state’s minimums and choosing higher limits can better safeguard assets.
- When shopping for a policy, ask your insurer to explain per-person and per-accident limits, exclusions, and how BI interacts with other coverages like PIP, medical payments, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
If you want, I can tailor this to your location and driving situation, including typical minimums in your state and recommended higher-coverage amounts.
