{"id":35833,"date":"2022-10-19T09:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T16:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/?page_id=35833"},"modified":"2023-09-21T15:47:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T22:47:27","slug":"bodily-injury","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/auto-insurance\/coverage\/bodily-injury\/","title":{"rendered":"Bodily Injury and Death Liability Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Insurance?<\/h2>\n
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Injury liability insurance<\/strong>\u00a0is the portion of your required\u00a0car insurance<\/a>\u00a0that kicks in to\u00a0help pay for expenses related to injuries \u2013 and<\/span> even death<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 after a car wreck. This includes injuries to others involved, including passengers in other cars and, in some cases, pedestrians. Most states require a two-fold<\/span> coverage auto policy that covers property damage and bodily damage and\/or death.\u00a0Liability insurance<\/a>\u00a0is the most common type of car coverage.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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What Does Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Cover?<\/h2>\n
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Injury liability coverage provides compensation for a variety of items that can occur after a covered event.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n

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Medical Expenses<\/h3>\n

This type of coverage pays for medical expenses ranging from the ambulance and EMT services to the emergency room care to ongoing medical care. It includes nursing services, rehabilitation and physical therapy, as well as devices such a wheelchair or crutches.<\/p>\n

Pain and Suffering<\/h3>\n

Pain and suffering can be as concrete as what someone feels with a broken bone and as hard to pin down as emotional distress. The pain part talks to actual pain felt, while the suffering part speaks to mental distress.<\/p>\n

Loss of Income<\/h3>\n

When someone is badly injured in a wreck, they may miss work during their recovery period. This protection pays that person the equivalent of what they would be earning if they were at work \u2013 their<\/span> lost wages. It can even provide compensation for diminished earning capacity \u2013 the<\/span> inability of an injured person to earn what they did before the crash.<\/p>\n

Funeral Expenses<\/h3>\n

If someone dies as a result of a car accident you caused, your liability will help provide compensation for their funeral expenses. However, funerals are expensive. Unless you firmly believe that you won\u2019t cause an accident severe enough to kill someone, you should consider increasing your liability limits to protect your net worth. A wrongful death lawsuit resulting from a single accident can have a serious effect on your net worth.<\/p>\n

Legal Defense Fees<\/h3>\n

This is the only area where this pays for your expenses. If you are sued after a wreck, you can use this to help pay costs associated with a legal suit, including your legal defense.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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At-Fault vs No-Fault<\/h2>\n
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If you live in an at-fault state, the automobile insurance company of the driver who is determined to be at fault in the car accident<\/a> will be on the hook for these costs up to policy limits. If your injuries are egregious enough, you can sue the at-fault<\/span> driver for additional medical cost help.<\/p>\n

In no-fault states, motorists are typically required to purchase additional medical coverage to cover their own medical costs in the form of Personal Injury Protection<\/a> (PIP) or Medical Payments<\/a> (MedPay). However, if your injuries reach a certain threshold in a no-fault<\/span> state, you may be able to sue the driver who caused the wreck to help compensate you for medical costs.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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The Cost of Injury Liability Coverage<\/h2>\n
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On average, this portion of auto liability coverage costs around $600 per year. The other part of liability, property damage<\/a>, averages anywhere from $90 to $145 per year. Your cost will most likely be different from this average since policy costs are based on factors specific to you, such as your past driving history, your age and where you live. For example, states that see more litigation resulting from car wrecks tend to have higher liability costs. And even a single accident on your record can drive your rates up significantly. Besides that, it\u2019s always a good idea to do\u00a0comparison shopping among insurance companies\u00a0to make sure you are getting the best price.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Does Full Coverage Include Liability?<\/h2>\n
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Yes. Although the term full coverage<\/a> can mean different things to different people, it almost always means a combination of liability, collision coverage<\/a> and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage will help you pay for the damage to your motor vehicle, regardless of who was at fault. Comprehensive coverage<\/a> pays for damages that happen to your vehicle that are out of your control, such as theft, hail, storms and more. If you purchase your car new, your lender may require you to have liability, comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. It\u2019s always best to get the information straight from your insurance agent.<\/p>\n

Some government entities require uninsured motorist coverage, as well. Uninsured motorist coverage<\/a> \u2013 or underinsured motorist coverage \u2013 helps<\/span> protect you if you hit by an uninsured or underinsured (or hit and run) driver. Whether its required or not, it is cheap and when you consider all the people on the roads without insurance, it is well worth it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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What are State-Required Minimum Coverages?<\/h2>\n
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Most local governments require auto insurance coverage before residents can legally drive. This required coverage consists of BIL, property damage and, in some cases, additional required coverages. Here\u2019s a look at what each state requires its driving residents to carry for its minimum coverages.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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State<\/th>\n Minimum Bodily Injury Liability<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n
Alabama<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Alaska<\/td>\n $50,000\/$100,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Arizona<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Arkansas<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
California<\/td>\n $15,000\/$30,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Colorado<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Connecticut<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Delaware<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Florida*<\/td>\n –<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Georgia<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Hawaii<\/td>\n $20,000\/$40,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Idaho<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Illinois<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Indiana<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Iowa<\/td>\n $20,000\/$40,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Kansas<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Kentucky<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Louisiana<\/td>\n $15,000\/$30,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Maine<\/td>\n $50,000\/$100,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Maryland<\/td>\n $30,000\/$60,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Massachusetts<\/td>\n $20,000\/$40,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Michigan<\/td>\n $50,000\/$100,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Minnesota<\/td>\n $170,000\/$510,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Mississippi<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Missouri<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Montana<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Nebraska<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Nevada<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
New Hampshire*<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
New Jersey<\/td>\n $15,000\/$30,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
New Mexico<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
New York<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
North Carolina<\/td>\n $30,000\/$60,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
North Dakota<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Ohio<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Oklahoma<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Oregon<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Pennsylvania<\/td>\n $15,000\/$30,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Rhode Island<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
South Carolina<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
South Dakota<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Tennessee<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Texas<\/td>\n $30,000\/$60,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Utah<\/td>\n $25,000\/$65,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Vermont<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Virginia<\/td>\n $30,000\/$60,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Washington<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
West Virginia<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Wisconsin<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
Wyoming<\/td>\n $25,000\/$50,000<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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* Florida: Florida requires drivers to purchase a minimum of $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage auto liability insurance but no BIL auto liability insurance.<\/em><\/p>\n

* New Hampshire: Motorists are not required to carry auto insurance coverage. However, if you are responsible for someone else\u2019s injuries and damages, you must show proof of financial responsibility. Choosing to buy the minimum liability available can protect your assets if you cause an accident. If you buy coverage, these are the minimum amounts you will be required to purchase.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Why Do I See that Portion of my Policy as 25\/50?<\/h2>\n
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This represents the amount of financial responsibility you will have per person and per car accident. What that means is that your automobile insurance company will provide a maximum amount of $25,000 for medical costs per person for each auto accident and a maximum amount of $50,000 total, per accident (minus your deductible). Every state sets their own\u00a0minimum amount of state required coverage<\/a>\u00a0drivers must carry. See the table below for information on how much your state requires.<\/p>\n

With medical costs today, many people choose to purchase more than the state-required<\/span> liability in order to be better protected. Your premium is your financial responsibility.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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The Best Amount to Carry<\/h2>\n
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According to expert information, motorists should carry at least $100,000 to pay the expenses of one injured person and $300,000 for multiple injured people. Remember, you can be sued if your policy does not provide enough to cover the medical costs of injuries in an auto accident you caused. These means you could lose assets, including your home in a successful suit. Knowing your net worth can help you determine how much protection you need. One personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can destroy your net worth.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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The Difference Between Liability, PIP and MedPay<\/h2>\n
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Harm and death liability is required in every state except two (New Hampshire and Florida). This coverage pays for medical costs associated with a covered event for people who are affected by an at-fault<\/span> driver. However, in no-fault<\/span> states and in some at-fault<\/span> states, motorists may be required to carry additional medical protection in the form of\u00a0personal injury protection (PIP)\u00a0or\u00a0MedPay. These two forms of medical protection cover you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault. This can be a real bonus to your finances if there is a bad car wreck.<\/p>\n

PIP<\/h3>\n

This coverage is more popular. It is required in 12 states where only two states require MedPay. Other states may require agents to provide information about PIP or MedPay and their residents must refuse this in writing. PIP offers a variety of coverage following a car wreck and it is available immediately, unlike liability which may not pay out until after insurers have determined who is at fault. Some of the items covered by PIP include:<\/p>\n