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Key Takeaways
- Bodily Injury Liability coverage is recommended and made compulsory in almost all states to be considered a legal driver.
- BI Liability coverage pays for the third party's medical expenses in case of an accident.
- Considering a higher policy limit can save you out-of-pocket expenses.
What is Bodily Injury Liability?
As part of your car insurance, Bodily Injury Liability pays for the person's medical bills who suffered an injury in the crash, you caused. In simple terms, if you are responsible for an accident and if there are casualties, Bodily Injury Liability Coverage will help you save out-of-pocket expenses. However, knowing that if the bill exceeds your policy limits, you settling the difference is important.
Nearly every state has made Bodily Injury Liability mandatory for auto owners. Each state has defined its minimum coverage requirement to demonstrate your on-road financial responsibility. But consumers are free to buy any coverage beyond the legal minimum.
What does Bodily Injury Liability cover?
The Bodily Injury Liability generally covers the following expenses:
- Funeral Expense - If a driver or passenger dies in an accident caused by you, then Bodily Injury Liability will cover the funeral and burial expenses of the other person.
- Medical Expense - If you injure a person in an accident, your Bodily Injury Liability will cover the expenses for their medical care. It includes emergency room fees, medical costs, equipment such as crutches, and surgery bills.
- Lost Wages - If the accident makes the person incapable of returning to work, your Bodily Injury Liability will cover their lost wages.
- Legal Fee - When the victim sues you for bodily damage, your Bodily Injury Liability will help pay your attorney and a court award.
- Pain and Suffering - Bodily Injury Liability will pay for the victim's long-lasting pain and trauma due to the accident.
What else should I know about Bodily Injury Liability coverage?
The following expenses are not covered under the Bodily Injury Liability:
- Medical bills for the first party and their passengers: You will need medical payments or personal injury protection coverage to pay for your and your passengers' medical bills.
- Damage to another driver's car: You will need property damage insurance coverage to pay for any damage you do to another driver's car. A policy with minimum coverage often needs this kind of insurance.
- Damage to your car: Collison and Comprehensive Coverage protects your car if you cause an accident or collision. Your car repair will not be covered by bodily damage liability insurance.
How do the Bodily Injury Liability Coverage limits work?
Minimum coverage is mandatory in almost every state to be considered a legal driver. This minimum amount is referred to as a limit. As far as insurance companies are concerned, the coverage limit is the total amount payable by the company to cover any claim against you.
Liability coverage is often written in split limits. The limits are mentioned on the declaration page of your policy and look something like this - 40/60 or, at times, 20/50/30. Each number mentioned corresponds to a different coverage type. The first number refers to bodily injury per person, and the second refers to bodily injury per accident. In some policies, there is a mention of a third number; this refers to the limit for property damage.
How much does Bodily Injury Liability insurance cost?
The Bodily Injury Liability insurance cost is determined based on many factors, such as the coverage limit of your purchased policy, the state you live in, and your driving history. The more coverage, the more the price. Also, your coverage will likely cost more if you have recently had an accident or moving violation.
In the table below, you will find the state-wise average minimum requirement for Bodily Injury Liability insurance.
Bodily Injury Liability Requirement State-Wise
| State | Min. Coverage Per Person | Min. Coverage Per Accident |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Alaska | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Arizona | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Arkansas | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| California | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Colorado | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Connecticut | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Delaware | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Florida | Not Required | Not Required |
| Georgia | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Hawaii | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Idaho | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Illinois | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Indiana | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Iowa | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Kansas | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Kentucky | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Louisiana | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Maine | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Maryland | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Massachusetts | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Michigan | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Minnesota | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Mississippi | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Missouri | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Montana | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Nebraska | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Nevada | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| New Hampshire | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| New Jersey | Not Required | Not Required |
| New Mexico | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| New York | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| North Carolina | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| North Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Ohio | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Oklahoma | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Oregon | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Rhode Island | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| South Carolina | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| South Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Texas | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Utah | $25,000 | $65,000 |
| Vermont | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Virginia | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Wisconsin | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Wyoming | $25,000 | $50,000 |
How to file a Bodily Injury Liability claim?
BI claims are "third-party claims," which means a claim is filed against the driver's insurance company that caused the accident.
An accurate accident record is required to receive a reasonable amount for your expenses. You should be able to provide the following documents to make a claim.
- A detailed description of the accident
- Images of the accident scene and injuries you sustained
- Proof of medical examinations and bills from doctors/health care providers
- Receipts of all related expenses
- Proof of lost wages: If you were to miss work and incur a potential loss of income due to an accident, then documentation from your employer is mandatory.
Once you have made a claim,
- You should receive a response within a stipulated timeframe determined by your state or get an explanation for any delay.
- A liability claim examiner or adjuster may require clarification to assess the sustained injuries and the cost of the claim. Hence, be prepared to retell the details of the accident.
INSURANCE AGENT EXPERTS
Auto Insurance Data Methodology
The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of research completed by Way.com’s data team. Using a mix of public and internal data, we analyzed millions of rate averages across U.S. ZIP codes.
Quotes are typically based on a full coverage policy average unless otherwise noted within the content.
These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes will differ. Given this, it’s important to go through our insurance steps form to find how much you can save with way.com
DATA SOURCES
Way.com’s Insurance Broker Quote Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Bodily Injury Liability car insurance do I need?
The minimum coverage requirement will differ depending on your home state. On average most states require at least 25/50/25 Bodily Injury Liability coverage. This split means $25000 medical expenses per person, $50,000 maximum coverage per accident, and $25,000 maximum coverage for property damage.
Does liability insurance cover bodily injury?
While Bodily Injury Liability covers only the victim's medical expenses, liability insurance covers both - property damage and bodily injury/medical expenses if you are responsible for the accident.
What does Bodily Injury Liability insurance cover?
In case of a crash, Bodily Injury Liability will pay for all necessary medical care, including hospitalization and the purchase of assistive devices like crutches and wheelchairs. It also covers funeral costs, lost wages if the victim cannot work due to the accident, and legal fees if the victim sues you for any bodily injury.
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