Did you know that the leading cause of personal injuries and death in the U.S. is car accidents?
Recent statistical data also show that nearly 2.8 million car accidents were reported in 2018, 2.7 million of which were traffic-related injuries and 36,560 were fatalities.
These figures indicate the risks involved with driving on the road. They also imply that any driver, even if they are too careful, can cause car accidents and be sued for any damage caused by driving recklessly.
If driving is part of your everyday living, you wouldn't want to put yourself in a situation where you need to pay for the damages and face a lawsuit, would you? It's expensive and stressful. That is why vehicle owners should acquire automobile liability insurance coverage. It's a way to help cover the costs caused by car accidents and protect your assets if you face a lawsuit.
Liability car insurance is a financial protection to a driver that causes damage to a person or their property while driving. A car insurance policy feature, it covers the costs of the necessary repair to the damage that the reckless driver has caused. The coverage also includes injuries to third-parties and damages to their properties . It's the reason why a liability only car insurance has two main types of coverage: bodily injury liability insurance coverage and property damage liability car insurance .
However, you need to take note that liability car insurance has no coverage for medical bills and costs to repair the damaged car of the driver at fault. It basically pays the damage you have caused for driving recklessly, assuring that you won't incur so much loss from the accident. Aside from that, your insurance company identifies the persons and things covered by the liability car insurance, so choose the best policy you can afford.
And speaking of being able to afford, the liability car insurance cost depends on the state where you live and your financial situation. The good news is that you can read through the state requirements or ask a local company for a liability insurance quote.
As you purchase your auto insurance, you'll usually notice three different car insurance liability limits for both types of coverage. Let's say, for example, the state minimum liability insurance, which is 30,60,15.
Physical Injury Per Person . The first digit is equivalent to $30,000, and it is the maximum amount that your insurance will pay for the injuries of one person.
Physical Injury Per Accident . The next number is worth $60,000, which is the maximum amount that your insurance will pay for everyone who is injured in the accident, excluding yourself.
Property Damage . The last digit is $15,000, which is the maximum amount your company will cover for the properties you have damaged, such as vehicles, establishments, road accessories, among others.
If any of the costs exceed the limit, the at-fault driver will pay for the excess amounts.
There are many technical aspects of liability car insurance. With that, always consult your insurance company first before making the final purchase. For your convenience, you can request and compare online liability insurance quote through this page. It’s fast, free and hassle-free.
As previously mentioned, there are two main automobile liability insurance coverage types: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. But how do they differ?
Bodily injury liability coverage helps you pay for medical costs that an injured person may incur. It also covers medicines or other treatments needed for recovery. If the injury is severe that the person can't go back to work yet, then bodily injury insurance can be used to pay for lost wages claims. If, for instance, the injured person sues you, this coverage can also help you pay for the lawyer or court fees. Without this, you'll end up paying for all the costs incurred because of the car accident.
Meanwhile, property damage liability coverage works the same way, but it covers the costs to repair damaged properties. It includes the cost to repair for the car that you have damaged, the damaged properties inside the damaged car, and even the restoration costs for affected establishments. If you recklessly drive through a small store, this type of insurance coverage can help you pay for the needed repairs.
What they don't cover, however, is your medical bills and the repair costs for your damaged vehicle, assuming that you are the driver at-fault. If you want to ensure that you get everything covered, including yourself, you also need to purchase the collision coverage and the comprehensive. To give you a ballpark of the expenses, the minimum coverage car insurance depends on the state of your residence.
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Liability is also called Third party liability insurance, because it protects you from expenses related to damage caused by you to another party/driver.
The first party, or the insured person, purchases this coverage from the second party, or the insurer, as a way to protect themselves against third-party action and/or claims.
For example, if the driver at fault is not insured, then third party liabilities will provide coverage to help the at-fault driver pay for the losses and damages incurred caused by the accident. The third party in this scenario is the uninsured driver .
Rental car liability insurance, also known as supplemental liability insurance (SLI), is as simple as it sounds, a liability car insurance for rental cars. State laws require rental car companies to provide the minimum car insurance liability coverage.
However, SLI doesn't give you enough protection like the typical car insurance coverage does. If you already have car insurance with enough liability limits, then it will be enough to cover for the costs in case you cause a car accident.
People who frequently rent vehicles can purchase non owner liability insurance for added financial protection and extra savings.
Enterprise liability insurance, for example, provides up to $300,000 for third-party liability claims for renters and authorized drivers. The coverage is the combined amount of single limits.
Meanwhile, Hertz liability insurance provides higher coverage, offering up to $1 million of liability protection.
Non onwer liability insurance is, exactly like it sounds, a liability car insurance coverage for drivers that do not own the vehicles they drive on.
This can involve drivers who rent vehicles often, or simply obligated by law to have liability car insurance coverage to maintain their drivers license.
Remember that liability car insurance protects you and your assets if you cause a vehicular accident. But how much is liability insurance for a car? Rates vary, however the average liability car insurance cost is approximately $550 per year. Find out more about the average car insurance cost here .
But the more coverage you purchase, the higher the cost normally, and also the higher is the protection you get for you and your financial assets. It means that you don't have to spend so much on the repairs of the damaged vehicle and medical bills of the injured person. If you’re looking to find cheap liability car insurance coverage near me, then this page will help you . You’ll be able to find companies that offer cheap liability car insurance coverage around you with office locations of either company representatives or agents.
However, there are two states that only have two requirements to meet the minimum liability insurance. In Florida, drivers need, at least, $10,000 coverage for property damage per accident and another $10,000 coverage for personal injury protection. In New Jersey, the basic policy is $5,000 coverage for protection for personal injury and $15,000 for personal injury protection.
In other states, the law requires more than the three liability limits: bodily injury per person and per accident, and property damage per accident. These are the following states that have additional requirements for the minimum liability car insurance.
STATE | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
---|---|
CONNECTICUT | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured |
DELAWARE | $15,000 personal injury protection per person $30,000 personal injury protection per accident |
HAWAII | $10,000 personal injury protection |
ILLINOIS | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured |
KANSAS | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured Coverage for personal injury protection, which includes $4,500 in medical expenses, $4,500 for therapy or rehabilitation, $900/month for one year for income loss or disability, $25/day for home services, $2,000 for costs on funeral burial or cremation Benefits for survivors include $900/month for one year for income loss or disability and $25/day for home services |
KENTUCKY | $10,000 personal injury protection |
MAINE | $50,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $100,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $2,000 coverage for medical payments |
MARYLAND | $30,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $60,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $15,000 coverage for uninsured or underinsured property damage per accident |
MASSACHUSETTS | $20,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $40,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured $8,000 personal injury protection |
MICHIGAN | Unlimited personal injury protection $10,000 property damage per accident outside Michigan $1 million property protection within Michigan |
MINNESOTA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $40,000 personal injury protection |
MISSOURI | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured |
NEBRASKA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured |
NEW HAMPSHIRE | Drivers have the option to purchase car insurance. If they do, they have the minimum limits. $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $25,000 property damage coverage for motorist who id uninsured or underinsured $1,000 coverage for medical payments |
NEW YORK | $50,000 liability for death per person $100,000 liability for death per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident $50,000 personal injury protection |
NORTH CAROLINA | $30,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $60,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured $25,000 coverage for uninsured motorist property damage per accident |
NORTH DAKOTA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $30,000 personal injury protection |
OREGON | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $15,000 personal injury protection |
PENNSYLVANIA | $5,000 medical benefits |
SOUTH CAROLINA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured $25,000 coverage for uninsured motorist property damage |
UTAH | $3,000 personal injury protection |
VERMONT | $50,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $100,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $10,000 coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorist property damage per accident |
VIRGINIA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured $20,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured or underinsured |
WASHINGTON D.C. | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured $5,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured |
WEST VIRGINIA | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured $25,000 coverage for uninsured motorist property damage |
WISCONSIN | $25,000 coverage per person for motorist who is uninsured $50,000 coverage per accident for motorist who is uninsured |
If you want to make sure that you have enough budget, you can search for companies that offer cheap liability car insurance coverage near you. But cheap shouldn't only mean that you have to pay less. It is ideal to spend a high-quality service at a reasonable price. Before making your final decision, ask for a liability auto insurance quote, then weigh which agency gives the best offer. Don’t stick to one company. In order to get the best liability car insurance, you’re advised to compare multiple liability car insurance quotes online for free through this page and find good coverage options from reputable companies at a cheap rate.
Some insurance companies allow you to personalize your quote. For instance, For Geico liability car insurance you can know how much you’ll pay for your liability coverage through a coverage calculator that helps you determine which car insurance policy fits you best. You may have to answer a few questions before getting your Geico liability coverage estimate.
What if the driver is only 18 years old, how much is liability insurance for an 18-year-old? Surprisingly, the cost of this coverage is more expensive than the common rates for adults.
CarInsurance.com shows that the average cost of liability car insurance for 18-year-old drivers is around $158 per month for the state minimum liability insurance policy. For full coverage with liability limits of 100/300/100, the average monthly cost is $432, and it already includes collision and comprehensive coverage.
GENDER | MONTHLY STATE MINIMUM | FULL COVERAGE PER MONTH |
---|---|---|
MALE | $169 | $467 |
FEMALE | $147 | $398 |
AVERAGE | $158 | $432 |
However, costs can significantly go down if the teen driver is part of his or her parents' existing insurance policy. You'll be paying around $700 less on average on the annual car insurance cost. But if you want to know more about this service, you can compare companies through this page and request from your company representative or agent a liability car insurance quote for your child.
If you want a policy with liability limits that can cover all types of risks, but you haven't found any, that's not unusual. Why? Apparently, car insurers are also bounded by their limits. They can only provide maximum protection as stated by their standard policies. But through the umbrella policy, it's still possible to acquire liability coverage that goes beyond what the normal limits provided. Allstate liability insurance offers umbrella policy with a maximum coverage of $5 million.
Under umbrella policies, the insurance coverage is extended with the inclusion of your cars and home. They also offer new types of coverage. Aside from covering car accidents, the umbrella policy also includes coverage if you're being sued for dog attacks, physical injuries that happened within your premises, and even libel. Oftentimes, umbrella policies can also include liabilities overseas, attracting and encouraging travelers to avail of such type of policy.
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By all means, yes, having a liability car insurance is necessary, and it’s even required by the law in most states. Drivers are required to purchase the basic insurance policy, which has the minimum liability limits. But it's much better to acquire higher coverage to ensure that you get everything covered in case when you cause a car accident.
You may ask yourself why the need for it when you feel confident about your driving skills. Unless you can see the future, you'll never know what can happen. Even if you're so good at driving, there will come a time when you get mistakes that will cost you a fortune. If you scratch somebody’s car or accidentally hit a person, you are liable for it.
Let's not hope that you'll get yourself into any car trouble, but to prevent any unwanted financial losses, having a liability car insurance is a wise and worthy investment. Cheap liability auto insurance coverage is available, but you have to compare options and do your share in finding it. But overall, it's ideal to think ahead rather than realizing the importance of insurance when you're in a tight situation.
References:
https://www.iii.org/article/rental-car-insurance
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/auto/liability-car-insurance
I was hopeful about going with Travelers. My cousin oversees the building of large hotels (the W and Virgin in Nashville) and told me that is who he had used commercially. But after having roof damage from a storm, I have had a really bad experience. From the very first person I dealt with, it became quickly clear from my first dealings and was confirmed throughout the process, is how little they care about the people they insure and how they truly want to pay as little as possible. While my neighbors were having positive experiences with their insurance companies after the storm, mine has been terrible. I would highly recommend staying far away from Travelers Insurance and going with literally anyone else but them. —Jason McAnally
AAA is only good if you never have to use them. My daughter was borrowing my car and got hit by a hit-and-run driver who left the scene. AAA would not pay for damages on my car because she was not on the policy and I didn't have full coverage on my car I did have uninsured motorists but they still would not pay the claim so I have a wrecked car and now AAA is canceling my insurance What a waste of time and money. We reported to insurance board and still nothing was done. I'm going back to allstate, atleast they pay claims.
The quote they gave me was not the correct price. it turned out to be twice the amount they said. Plus the agency is in California 1500 miles away and I received bad customer service.
Horrible, we are DRIV3 Rentals a Car Rental Company in Los Angeles California. One of our clients purchased a Bonzah policy to rent a vehicle from us. An accident occurred where there has been significant damage to our 2021 BMW M4, we proceeded to file a claim with Bonzah. Let me just say the way this company handles claims is from the stone age. They do not contact you anywhere except emails. Our company has been in a 100+ email chain with Paul and Art from Bonzah for at least a month. They have confused our claim with other claims and at times just simply not responded back at all. We supplied all the necessary information needed for the claim and everything seemed ok. Fast forward to last week out of no where Paul stops answering so we call him over and over until he answers at this point he not once told us this by the way that they pulled the police report and our driver isn't listed, this is false as I immediately went to the LAPD police station and found out the report Paul pulled was filed online from one of the other drivers and not an official report from the officer on the scene, the officer on the scene made a statement in which debunks that whole claim and in fact our driver was the driver. I have never in my 20 years in the auto industry been accused of anything like this furthermore Paul stating that oh we don't know if your driver knows the other driver and they could have planned this. Insane really, Paul stated that if we could get a statement from the officer he would expedite our claim and damages check, Paul, Art and Bonzah has since started to ignore us. They don't answer calls, emails, text messages anything for almost 2 weeks now. How ironic that once we debunk their claim of our client not being the driver they stop responding. Don't use this company, stay far away.
We have been with progressive for 18+ but Have to give a one star with this experience. We hit a big rock on the highway. Randell Fergen repair rep . argued with me; claimed I was off roading in my car, which I have never done . Randell told me “this was not an isolated incident”. Because my other wheels had scratches according to him. The auto shop they picked and Randell told me it the wheel just needs a balance . Randell quoted me the price I would have to pay for the balance. I took the car to Discount Tire since the balance is covered. Discount told me “the wheel is bend badly” We called back to the rep Kiera Washington to update her and ask for a new repair rep. She said she could not and when I asked to speak to her supervisor she said “ I’m not dealing with you” and hung up on me ????