If you have just bought or received a new car you plan on driving, you will need car insurance. How much car insurance coverage you need depends mostly on what the state requires, but also your personal preferences, namely budget. Most states, including here in Indiana, require that all drivers maintain automotive liability insurance coverage at all times. This is known as the state-minimum for car insurance coverage.
Continue reading to learn some important facts about car insurance liability coverage that can help you better understand your options.
Liability Car Insurance Coverage Facts
Automotive liability insurance coverage is a type of car insurance coverage that only covers another person’s bodily injuries and property damages. The owner of the liability insurance policy is not covered. Let’s dive into this little further.
There are two types of liability car insurance coverage: bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. Drivers are required to have both kinds of coverage at all times to operate a motor vehicle, legally.
▶ BODILY INJURY LIABILITY COVERAGE (BI) = Bodily injury liability car insurance covers another driver’s injuries, including their medical expenses and hospital bills.
▶ PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY COVERAGE (PD) = Property damage insurance coverage pays for another driver’s automotive repairs, or for a new vehicle if the car is totaled.
Coverage Limits for Liability Car Insurance Policies
Although automotive liability car insurance covers another driver’s bodily injuries and property damages, you could still be responsible for paying out-of-pocket if the total cost exceeds your policy’s coverage limit. The state does set a minimum limit, but when you are purchasing car insurance, you can choose your own limit.
Let’s say you cause an accident, and the total cost of the of the driver’s medical expenses and property damages totals out to $25,000. Your insurance carrier will cover this cost so long as your coverage limit is at least that amount. If your coverage limit was only $20,000, you would be responsible for paying the remaining $5,000 out-of-pocket.
Your Bodily Injuries and Vehicle Damages
Under an automotive liability insurance policy, your own bodily injuries and property damages are not covered. The only parties covered are other drivers harmed in the accident. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to add collision insurance coverage to your liability insurance policy. Collision coverage would cover your bodily injuries and property damages in the case of an accident, but it would also come with a coverage limit. You can choose your coverage limit based on your budget and how comfortable you feel paying out-of-pocket in the case of an accident.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Collision automotive insurance coverage does not cover other types of vehicle damages outside of motor vehicle accidents, such as a tree falling on your car or hail damage. If you want these types of damages covered, you will need comprehensive automotive insurance coverage.
Have you totaled your vehicle but only have liability insurance coverage, leaving you with no means to pay for repairs? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your junk car in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash on the spot! We provide free junk car removal, so we come to you!
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