Civil car coverage, more commonly known as liability insurance, is the part of your auto insurance policy that pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people in an at-fault accident. It is a legal requirement in nearly every state. This coverage does not pay for your own injuries or vehicle repairs; it is specifically designed to protect your financial assets if you are held legally responsible for harming others.
This type of coverage is typically split into two main components, often expressed as a set of three numbers (e.g., 25/50/25):
- Bodily Injury Liability (BI) per person / per accident: This covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees for the people you injure. The first number is the maximum paid per person, and the second is the maximum paid for the entire accident.
- Property Damage Liability (PD): This covers the cost of repairing or replacing the other party's vehicle or other property you damage, like a fence or building.
Each state sets its own minimum coverage requirements, but these are often insufficient to cover the full costs of a serious accident. For example, California's minimum is 15/30/5, meaning $15,000 for one person's injuries, $30,000 for all injuries in an accident, and $5,000 for property damage. A major collision could easily exceed these limits, leaving you personally responsible for the difference. Carrying higher limits is a key recommendation from financial advisors to protect your savings and future earnings from a lawsuit.
| State | Minimum Bodily Injury Liability (per person/per accident) | Minimum Property Damage Liability |
|---|
| Florida | Not Required* | $10,000 |
| California | $15,000 / $30,000 | $5,000 |
| New York | $25,000 / $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Texas | $30,000 / $60,000 | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,000 / $30,000 | $5,000 |
| Illinois | $25,000 / $50,000 | $20,000 |
*Florida requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) but no BI liability; however, BI is strongly recommended.
