Bodily Injury Liability Insurance: Definition, Scope, and Importance

If you are at fault for an automobile accident, bodily injury liability insurance helps pay for the financial repercussions of your action. But what does the policy cover, and is it really a must-have for everyday drivers?

If you don’t have a complete understanding of the car insurance coverage, don’t worry. This guide provides an overview of the insurance type and its general scope. Additionally, it explains if the policy is essential to keep in your back pocket.

What Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?

Bodily injury liability insurance comes with your vehicle’s coverage policy. It takes effect when you’re responsible for an accident that harms other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. Basically, the coverage pays for the injuries and damages you’ve caused, including each individual’s medical bills and lost wages due to the incident.

What’s Included in the Coverage?

As the policyholder, your insurance pays part of the fees required for every person involved in the accident you’ve caused. Below are the items commonly covered by a bodily injury policy:

• Medical Expenses
  This component includes accident-related emergency care, hospital fees, recovery treatments, follow-up costs, and equipment expenses.
• Pain and Suffering
  The liability insurance covers financial reimbursement for lingering physical pain and emotional suffering due to the injuries associated with the accident.
• Loss of Income
  Injured people often have physical limitations that hinder their ability to work, resulting in lost wages. As part of your obligations to the other party, your liability insurance provides compensation for their loss of income.
• Legal Fees
  If you get sued after the accident, your bodily injury liability insurance typically pays for the legal defense fees, reducing your court costs.
• Funeral Costs
  Your car insurance coverage pays a portion of the funeral costs in the unfortunate event of accident fatalities.

Do You Need It?

The general answer is yes: bodily injury liability insurance is essential for your car coverage. Aside from being a requirement for all but three states, the policy also protects drivers who aren’t at fault during auto collision accidents.

Injury coverage is one of two types of liability insurance required in most states, the other being property damage coverage. By California law, the minimum liability coverage amount per person is $15,000, while the minimum amount per accident is $30,000.

Contact Cullen Insurance Agency for Car Coverage in California

Through our extensive industry knowledge and award-winning service, we have established ourselves as one of the top insurance providers in Southern California. With our wide range of policy options, you can find the best coverage at affordable prices. So, if you need liability insurance, call us today. Our team of expert brokers will help ensure that you get complete protection for your assets.