What Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?

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Bodily injury liability insurance pays for injuries you cause to other people in a car accident. It’s part of auto insurance and is required in most states. If you’re at fault in a crash, this coverage helps pay the medical bills, lost income, or legal costs of the other person.

This type of insurance does not cover your own injuries. It protects you financially by covering the harm you cause to others. For example, if you hit another car and the driver gets hurt, your bodily injury liability helps pay for their hospital visit, physical therapy, or time off work.

Every state sets a minimum amount of this coverage that drivers must carry. These limits are usually listed in two numbers, like $25,000/$50,000. The first number is the maximum paid per person; the second is the maximum for all people injured in one accident.

This insurance is part of what’s called liability coverage, which also includes property damage liability. Together, they help you meet legal driving requirements and protect you from large bills after a serious accident.

Injured worker looking to sue for bodily injury liability insurance

Key Takeaways

  • Covers others’ injuries when you’re at fault in a car accident.
  • Legally required in almost every U.S. state.
  • Does not cover your own medical bills.
  • Pays for medical costs, lost wages, legal fees, and pain and suffering.
  • Coverage limits matter—state minimums are often too low.
  • Higher limits protect your assets in serious accidents.
  • Separate from property damage liability, which covers physical objects.
  • Claim process starts immediately after an accident—report, document, and contact your insurer.

Who Does Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Cover?

Bodily injury liability insurance covers people who are hurt in an accident you cause. It applies to others involved, not to you or your own passengers (in most cases). The main goal is to protect people outside your car if they’re injured.

Here’s who it typically covers:

  • Drivers and passengers in the other vehicle
  • Pedestrians hit by your car
  • Bicyclists injured by your vehicle
  • Passengers in your car, depending on the policy and state laws

For example, if you run a red light and crash into another car, this insurance pays for the other driver’s hospital stay and any physical therapy they need. If a pedestrian is hit crossing the street, it can help cover their emergency care and recovery time.

It also covers you if someone else is driving your car with your permission. In that case, your insurance follows the car—not just the driver.

What Does Bodily Injury Liability Typically Cover?

Bodily injury liability insurance pays for a range of costs when you’re legally responsible for hurting someone in a car accident. It covers both medical and non-medical expenses related to the injury.

Here’s what it typically includes:

Example: If you hit a cyclist and they break a leg, your insurance may pay for their surgery, therapy, and the income they miss from work. If they sue, it also covers your legal defense and any damages you’re ordered to pay.

This protection helps prevent you from paying large amounts out of your own pocket.

What Are Common Coverage Limits for Bodily Injury Liability?

Bodily injury liability insurance always comes with a coverage limit. This is the maximum amount your insurance company will pay if you’re responsible for injuring someone in a car accident. These limits are usually written as two numbers, like $50,000/$100,000. The first number is the most the insurer will pay for one person’s injuries, and the second is the total they’ll pay for everyone injured in one accident.

For example, if your policy has a $50,000/$100,000 limit and you injure three people in one crash, the insurer will pay up to $50,000 for each person’s injuries, but no more than $100,000 total for all three.

Each state sets a minimum coverage requirement, but these minimums are often too low to cover serious accidents. That’s why many drivers choose to buy higher limits. Serious injuries can easily lead to tens of thousands in medical costs, especially if surgery or long-term care is involved. If the costs go beyond your limits, you’re responsible for paying the rest.

Choosing higher limits protects your savings and other personal assets. It gives you more financial safety if you’re ever involved in a major accident.

Why Is Bodily Injury Liability Important?

Bodily injury liability insurance is important because it protects you from large financial losses and helps you stay legally compliant when driving. If you’re found at fault for injuring someone in a crash, this coverage pays for their medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs. Without it, you’d have to pay everything yourself.

This type of insurance also helps prevent lawsuits from damaging your personal finances. For example, if someone sues you after an accident and wins a $75,000 judgment, but your insurance only covers $25,000, you’d be legally responsible for paying the remaining $50,000 out of pocket.

In nearly every state, drivers are legally required to carry at least a minimum level of this coverage. Driving without it can lead to fines, license suspension, or even having your car impounded. But the legal minimum often isn’t enough to protect you in a serious crash.

By carrying enough bodily injury liability insurance, you protect not just other people—but also your income, savings, home, and future.

What’s the Difference Between Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability?

Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are both parts of liability car insurance, but they cover very different things.

Bodily injury liability pays for the medical costs and other related expenses when you hurt someone in a car accident. It covers things like hospital bills, lost income, legal fees, and pain and suffering for the people you injure.

Property damage liability, on the other hand, pays for the repair or replacement of property you damage in an accident. This includes vehicles, fences, mailboxes, street signs, buildings, or any other physical object you hit with your car.

For example, if you crash into another car and injure the driver, bodily injury liability pays for their doctor visits and recovery. If the crash also dents their bumper, property damage liability pays to fix their car.

Both types of liability are usually required by law. Together, they protect you from having to pay out of pocket when you’re at fault in an accident—whether the damage is to a person or to property.

How Much Bodily Injury Liability Coverage Should You Have?

You should carry enough bodily injury liability coverage to protect your personal finances in case of a serious accident. While every state has a minimum required amount, those minimums are often too low to cover real-world medical costs.

Two lawyers shaking hands on a deal of a bodily injury liability insurance lawsuit

Many experts recommend at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident in coverage (written as 100/300). This helps cover serious injuries, especially if multiple people are hurt. A single surgery or hospital stay can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Choosing higher limits makes sense if you:

  • Own a home or have savings that could be taken in a lawsuit
  • Drive often or in heavy traffic
  • Have teen drivers on your policy
  • Want peace of mind and stronger financial protection

If the damages go beyond your insurance limits, you pay the rest. That’s why picking higher coverage is not just smart—it’s a form of self-protection.

How Do You File a Bodily Injury Liability Claim?

If you’re in an accident and someone is injured, you should file a bodily injury liability claim with your auto insurance company as soon as possible. Quick action helps prevent delays and legal issues.

Here are the basic steps:

  1. Call 911 to report the accident and get medical help if needed.
  2. Exchange information with the other driver (names, insurance details, license numbers).
  3. Document the scene by taking photos of damage, injuries, and surroundings.
  4. Get a police report—most insurers require it for injury claims.
  5. Contact your insurer and provide full details: who was hurt, what happened, and any medical updates.
  6. Cooperate with the claims adjuster, who will investigate and handle payments.

Your insurance company will deal with the injured person’s expenses and any legal claims. If the injured party sues you, your policy also covers your legal defense—up to the limit you selected.

Filing quickly and giving clear information helps protect you and ensures the injured person gets the help they need.