Bodily injury liability
What is bodily injury liability?
Bodily injury liability is part of your auto insurance that helps cover costs if you cause an accident that injures someone else who isn’t a member of the insured household. It can help pay for medical bills, lost wages and legal expenses for the other person. This coverage is designed to protect them, not you.
Why bodily injury liability matters
One serious accident can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in medical costs, lost income or even a lawsuit. Without the right coverage, you’d be stuck paying those bills out of pocket. That’s why most states require it, and why many drivers choose limits higher than the minimum.
- Per-person limit – The most your insurance pays for injuries to one person
- Per-accident limit – The total it pays for all injuries in a single accident
You can always choose higher limits for more protection and peace of mind.
How does bodily injury liability work?
If you're at fault in a car accident and someone else is injured, bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for the costs. This can include medical bills, lost wages or even legal fees if you're sued. It’s designed to protect you from paying those expenses out of pocket. What expenses can it cover?
- Emergency medical care – Ambulance rides and urgent treatment are covered.
- Hospital stays and rehab – Surgeries or long-term care, among other things, are included.
- Lost wages – If the injured person can’t work while recovering, they can recover lost wages.
- Legal fees – If you're sued after the accident, your legal fees are covered by this protection.
- Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical or emotional distress falls under this coverage.
Example: With $50,000/$100,000 limits, your insurer would pay up to $50,000 per person but no more than $100,000 total per accident, including legal costs.
Who does bodily injury liability cover?
This coverage is all about protecting others when you’re the one at fault. It helps cover injuries to people outside your car, including:
- Other drivers or their passengers
- Pedestrians or cyclists
- Passengers in a vehicle you hit
It does not cover:
- You, the at-fault driver
- Passengers that are in the household of the insured
What does bodily injury liability pay for?
If someone is hurt in an accident you caused, this coverage helps pay for the financial and emotional impact. It goes beyond just hospital bills to include lost income or pain and suffering. It can also help with legal costs if the person sues you. These costs can be high, especially if more than one person is involved.
Does bodily injury liability cover my passengers?
Bodily injury liability may cover injuries to your passengers if they are not members of your household. It is designed to pay for medical expenses and other costs of people you injure in an accident you cause.
To make sure you and your own household members are protected, you may need extra coverage, such as:
- Medical Payments (MedPay) – Helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Pays for medical costs (and sometimes lost wages and other expenses) for you and your passengers, no matter who caused the accident.
How much bodily injury liability do I need?
The right amount depends on your assets, how much financial risk you can handle and your state’s requirements. Most states set minimums, but those often don’t provide enough protection. Many drivers choose higher limits to avoid paying out of pocket after a serious accident.
- Common state minimums – $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Common policyholder choices – $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident
Higher limits offer stronger financial protection and usually don’t raise your premium by much.
How does a bodily injury liability claim work?
When you're responsible for a crash that injures someone else, your insurance company handles the claim. The injured person files against your policy, and your insurance company investigates. If approved, the insurer pays the injured party, up to your chosen limits. In order, it looks like this:
- Accident occurs – You're at fault and someone is injured.
- Claim is filed – The injured party files a claim with your insurance company.
- Investigation happens – Your insurance company reviews records and costs.
- Payment is issued – Insurance company pays the claim, up to your policy limits.
- Legal help – Your insurance company may provide an attorney if you're sued.
The process protects you financially and helps the other party recover.
What if I don’t have this coverage?
In most states, driving without bodily injury liability is illegal. If you injure someone and don’t have this protection, you’ll be on the hook for all the costs. That can include medical bills, lost wages and any lawsuits. As well as legal expenses resulting from improper coverage like:
- Fines or license suspension
- Higher premiums or trouble getting future insurance
Even in no-fault states, this coverage is usually still required for serious injury claims.
How much does it cost?
Your rate depends on factors like your driving record, age and where you live. The limits you choose also matter but raising them doesn’t always increase your premium by much. Higher coverage could save you thousands after a serious accident. Your exact rates will be determined in part by:
- Your driving history and age
- Where you live and your vehicle type
- Coverage limits you choose
A VIU by HUB Advisor can help you compare options and find the right balance.
Which states require bodily injury liability?
Almost every U.S. state requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability. The minimum amounts vary, so it’s important to check what’s required where you live. Some states may not require it for basic policies but still recommend it for protection.
Minimums are just a starting point, and many drivers choose more.
Bodily injury vs. personal injury: What’s the difference?
These two terms sound similar but mean different things. Bodily injury refers to a type of car insurance coverage. Personal injury is a legal term used in court cases or home insurance.
- Bodily injury liability – Pays for injuries you cause in a car crash
- Personal injury – Covers slip and falls or defamation
Think of bodily injury as insurance coverage and personal injury as a legal concept.
Bodily injury vs. property damage liability
Car insurance liability has two main parts, and they work together to protect you financially if you cause an accident. Bodily injury liability covers the medical costs, lost wages or legal fees if you injure someone in a crash. Property damage liability covers the cost of fixing or replacing anything you damage like another car, a fence or even a mailbox.
Most states require both types of coverage as part of a basic auto insurance policy, and together they form the foundation of your financial protection on the road.
FAQs
What does $100k/$300k/$100k mean?
These numbers represent your coverage limits. The first is the max your insurer pays for one injured person. The second is the total it pays for all injuries in one accident, and the third is for property damage. In this example:
- $100k – Per person limit
- $300k – Per accident limit
- $100k – Property damage limit
If costs go over those amounts, you could be personally responsible.
Is bodily injury liability required in every state?
Almost every state requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability, though the minimum limits vary. A few states, like Florida, don’t require it for basic policies but still recommend it. Even in states with no-fault laws, this coverage is often still needed for serious injury claims or lawsuits.
Can bodily injury liability cover multiple people in an accident?
Yes, but only up to the per-accident limit on your policy. For example, if three people are hurt and your limit is $100,000 per accident, that’s the maximum your insurance company will pay across all three claims. If the total cost is higher, you could be responsible for the remaining amount.