Bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for injuries to other people if you cause a car accident. It is one of the most important parts of auto insurance because medical bills can add up quickly, and injury claims can become expensive even in crashes that seem “minor” at first.
Many drivers hear the term on their declarations page (often called the “dec page”) but are not sure what it actually covers, what it does not cover, and how limits work. This guide explains bodily injury liability coverage in plain language with simple examples.
What is bodily injury liability coverage?
Bodily injury liability coverage is the part of your auto policy that may help pay for other people’s injury-related costs when you are legally responsible for a crash. “Other people” can include the other driver, passengers in the other vehicle, pedestrians, or bicyclists.
It is different from coverage that protects you after a crash, such as PIP or MedPay (where available). It is also different from property damage liability, which is about vehicles and property—not injuries.
What bodily injury liability coverage may pay for
When it applies, bodily injury liability coverage may help pay for costs such as:
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Follow-up medical treatment (physical therapy, rehab)
- Lost wages (if the injured person cannot work)
- Pain and suffering (varies by claim and state rules)
- Legal defense costs, if you are sued (often handled as part of the claim process)
What is paid (and how much) depends on the claim facts, state laws, and your policy terms.
What bodily injury liability coverage does NOT pay for
This is a common misunderstanding: bodily injury liability coverage is mainly for other people’s injuries. It typically does not pay for:
- Your own injuries (that may be covered by PIP/MedPay, depending on your policy and state)
- Damage to your vehicle (that is usually handled by collision coverage)
- Damage to someone else’s vehicle or property (that is property damage liability)
- Intentional harm or excluded situations under your policy
If you want to see how the major coverages work together, read What Does Car Insurance Cover?.
How limits work for bodily injury liability coverage
Your policy includes car insurance policy limits, which are the maximum amounts the insurer will pay for covered claims under a specific coverage.Bodily injury liability is often shown using a “split limits” format like 25/50 (or as part of 25/50/25).
In many cases:
- Per person limit: the max paid for one injured person
- Per accident limit: the max paid for all injured people combined in one accident
To learn how formats like 25/50/25 work, see Car Insurance Policy Limits.
Simple example: If your limits are 25/50 and you injure two people, the policy might pay up to $25,000 for each person, but no more than $50,000 total for that accident (if covered). If medical and settlement costs exceed those limits, you may be responsible for the rest.
When bodily injury liability coverage applies
Bodily injury liability coverage usually applies when:
- You are found legally responsible (at fault) for an accident, and
- Another person is injured and makes a claim against you, and
- The situation is not excluded by the policy terms
Fault rules vary by state, and some states use no-fault rules for certain injury costs. Even so, bodily injury liability is still a core coverage on most policies.
Quick reminder: Bodily injury liability is about injuries to other people. Damage to vehicles is handled by property damage liability, and damage to your own car is typically handled by collision or comprehensive if you carry them.
How to find bodily injury liability coverage on your policy
The fastest way is your car insurance declarations page (often called the “dec page”). Look for “Bodily Injury Liability” (or “BI Liability”) and the limits listed next to it.
If you’re not sure where to find it, use this guide: Car Insurance Declarations Page.
Common questions about bodily injury liability coverage
Is bodily injury liability coverage required?
In most states, some form of liability coverage is required to drive legally. Requirements vary by state. See Is Car Insurance Required by Law in the U.S.?.
Does bodily injury liability cover passengers in my car?
It can, but it depends on the situation and state rules. Bodily injury liability is meant to pay for injuries to other people when you are at fault. Passengers may be covered under different coverages (like PIP or MedPay) depending on your policy and state.
Does bodily injury liability pay for my own injuries?
Usually no. Your own injuries are typically handled by coverages like PIP or MedPay (if included), or by the other driver’s liability coverage if they are at fault.
Does it pay for pain and suffering?
Sometimes. In many states, injury claims can include non-economic damages like pain and suffering, but what is included depends on the claim details and state laws.
What if injuries cost more than my bodily injury limits?
If a covered injury claim exceeds your policy limits, your insurer generally pays up to the limit, and you may be responsible for the remaining amount. This is one reason understanding limits matters. See Car Insurance Policy Limits.
Does bodily injury liability include legal defense?
Often, yes. Many policies provide legal defense if you are sued over a covered accident, but the details depend on your policy terms and the claim facts.
Important to Know
Car Policy Answers is an independent educational website. We do not sell insurance, provide quotes, or recommend insurance companies.
The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and is based on publicly available insurance guidelines and common industry practices.