Liability car insurance
The part of the policy that protects everything you own.
Liability coverage pays for injury and property damage you cause to other people. It does not pay for your own vehicle or your own injuries — those are separate coverages.
It's the portion most states require, and it's the number that decides whether a serious at-fault accident stays with your insurer or reaches your assets.
The two halves
Liability is written as two separate coverages that people usually see as one figure.
- Bodily injury liability — medical costs, lost wages, and related claims for people you injure
- Property damage liability — the other vehicle, and other property such as fences, buildings, or poles
Reading 25/50/25
Liability limits are usually written as three numbers. The first is the maximum per injured person, the second the maximum for all injuries in one accident, and the third the maximum for property damage.
So 25/50/25 means up to $25,000 for any one person, $50,000 total for injuries in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. A claim above those figures is not the insurer's problem — it may become yours.
Why state minimums are a floor, not a recommendation
Minimums are set by legislation, often years ago, and they reflect a political judgement rather than an assessment of what you'd need. Several states have minimums that wouldn't cover the replacement cost of an ordinary new vehicle, let alone a serious injury.
The useful question isn't what your state permits. It's what you'd have at risk if you caused a serious accident.
What it doesn't cover
- Your own vehicle — that's collision and comprehensive
- Your own injuries — that's medical payments or PIP
- Damage from an uninsured driver hitting you — that's uninsured motorist coverage
- Anything intentional
Common questions
It satisfies most states' legal requirement and protects your assets, but it pays nothing toward your own vehicle or injuries. Whether that's enough depends on whether you could replace your car out of pocket.
The insurer pays up to the limit and the remainder can be pursued from you personally. That's the exposure higher limits exist to prevent.
Enough to cover what you'd have at risk. Our coverage calculator compares your limits against your assets, which is a more useful starting point than a rule of thumb.
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This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC is a licensed insurance producer. Nothing here binds coverage.