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Liability-only insurance is car insurance that covers a third party's property damage or injuries in the event of an accident. The term “liability-only car insurance” is used to distinguish policies with basic coverage from those with collision insurance and comprehensive coverage.
Liability insurance is the only type of auto insurance that is mandatory in almost every state. It’s split into two main categories of coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
What Liability-only Insurance Covers
- Medical expenses
- Legal fees
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral costs
- Repairs to/replacement of cars
- Repairs to/replacement of items in the car during an accident
- Repairs to/replacement of other property, like a mailbox, fence, or house
Liability-only insurance is the least expensive car insurance since it provides such minimal coverage. However, driving with only liability insurance can lead to expensive bills for your own property or injuries, which are not covered by liability-only insurance.
Liability-only car insurance is not always an option, either. Some states require drivers to carry other types of insurance as well, like uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) and Personal Injury Protection (PIP). And if your car is leased or financed, your lender will likely require you to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance.
For tips on whether liability-only insurance is enough for your situation, check out WalletHub’s guide on how much car insurance to get.
People also ask
How much liability insurance do I need?
You need enough liability insurance to cover your net worth. Having coverage equal to the value of the assets you own and all the money you have, minus your debt, protects you financially in case of a serious car accident.
When to Carry Only the Minimum Liability Coverage
Although almost every state requires drivers to carry liability insurance, the minimum coverage is not always enough to cover the cost of an accident. It’s always...
read full answerWhat if my car is totaled and I only have liability insurance?
If your car is totaled and you only have liability insurance, you will have to pay to replace the vehicle yourself or file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Liability coverage alone does not protect your car in any way, just injuries and damage you may cause to others. You need to have collision, comprehensive, or new car replacement coverage if you want your insurance company to pay to replace a totaled car. However, if...
read full answerWhat are the minimum liability car insurance requirements do I need in Texas?
The minimum liability car insurance requirements in Texas are $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person ($60,000 per accident) plus $25,000 in property damage liability insurance. These requirements can also be written as 30/60/25.
Key Things to Know About Liability Car Insurance in Texas
- Some communities are exempt. Per Alaska state legislature, if you live in certain communities, you are exempt from vehicle registration, the Mandatory Insurance Law, and CDL road testing. In this case, you are not required to purchase...
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