What does bodily injury liability insurance cover?

Bodily injury liability insurance covers other drivers’ medical expenses if they are injured in a car accident that you cause. Bodily injury liability insurance can pay for things like another driver’s emergency care, hospital fees, and even lost wages after an accident you’re at fault for.

Although bodily injury liability won’t cover your own injuries or associated costs, it can cover your legal fees if you are sued because of an at-fault accident. However, in no-fault states, there may be limits to when drivers are able to sue after an accident.

What Bodily Injury Liability Covers

• Emergency care, like ambulance costs and emergency room fees
• Hospital fees, such as surgery expenses or doctor visits
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Loss of income
• Childcare and homecare
• Equipment costs associated with the injuries, like crutches or wheelchairs
• Funeral expenses
• The policyholder’s legal fees

What Bodily Injury Liability Does Not Cover

• The policyholder’s injuries and medical expenses
• Damage to property, such as vehicles or stationary objects
• The policyholder’s lost wages, home aid, or other peripheral costs

Bodily injury liability insurance is required in almost every state. Regardless of how much coverage your state requires, you should always purchase as much as you can comfortably afford in order to protect both your own finances and other drivers on the road.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to bodily injury liability insurance.