Bodily injury liability pays for other people’s medical bills, lost income and related expenses when you injure them in a crash. It’s required in almost all states as part of standard liability coverage.
Jerry has helped 241,946 drivers get affordable bodily injury liability coverage and we encourage drivers to consider higher limits than the state minimum to protect your finances.
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
What bodily injury liability does and doesn’t cover
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Other people’s medical bills. | Your medical expenses. |
| Lost income for injured parties. | Your passengers’ medical bills. |
| Other people’s pain and suffering payments. | Medical costs over your limits. |
| Other people’s funeral costs. | Your lost wages. |
| Legal defense if you’re sued. | Damage to cars or property. |
Jerry recommends: Always carry bodily injury liability insurance. It’s illegal to drive without it in most states, and if you cause a crash, you’ll pay all damages out of pocket. Compare quotes with bodily injury liability in the Jerry app to find personalized options in minutes.
How bodily injury coverage works
Bodily injury liability has two limits that work together to protect you from medical claims, commonly expressed as the first two numbers in your liability policy, such as 15/30/15. Those first two numbers represent:
- Per-person limit (15): Maximum paid for each injured person, in this case $15,000.
- Per-accident limit (30): Maximum paid for all injuries in one accident, in this case $30,000.
That third number in the liability limits (15) is for property damage liability.
Key takeaway: Bodily injury liability has no deductible. Your insurance pays covered medical costs up to your limits, and you’re responsible for anything beyond that amount.
How much bodily injury coverage you need
All states but Florida require drivers to have a minimum amount of bodily injury (BI) liability insurance, but those minimums are often too low to pay for all injuries or property damage after a severe crash.
Why it matters: The average bodily injury claim is $26,500 (Insurance Information Institute). Minimum coverage can leave you with a $1,500–$11,500 gap for just one person. If several people are injured, your per-accident limit can be exhausted quickly.
Learn more: How much car insurance do I need?
Jerry recommends: Choose limits high enough to cover a serious crash. Jerry recommends that you consider limits of at least 100/300 to protect your finances in case of an accident.
How much it costs for higher bodily injury limits
Curious how much more coverage really costs? Here’s what Jerry users paid for the most common state minimum limit (25/50) compared to a 100/300 limit over the past six months.
| Coverage level | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 25/50 liability | $95 – $243 |
| 100/300 liability | $136 – $304 |
| Difference | +$41 – $61 |
Based on drivers with no accidents or violations who saved with Jerry over the past 6 months. Quotes and coverage not available for all customers.
For as little as $41 more per month, you get protection that’s 4 – 6 times higher than the most common state minimum.
Key takeaway: The extra cost of higher bodily injury limits may seem significant until you consider that one serious injury claim could leave you owing tens of thousands out of pocket if you only have minimum coverage.
Compare bodily injury coverage with Jerry
When shopping for car insurance, it’s important to compare bodily injury limits to find the right balance of protection and cost.
Jerry quickly shows you quotes from multiple carriers so you can see how different limits affect your premium.
Factors that affect your bodily injury costs
Several factors influence your bodily injury liability rates:
🚙 Driving record: Accidents and violations increase premiums.
📍 Location: Urban areas with more traffic typically cost more.
💰 Coverage limits: Higher limits cost more but provide better protection.
🕰️ Insurance history: Continuous coverage helps keep rates lower.
💳 Credit score: Used in most states for rate calculation.
Who needs higher bodily injury limits
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Have significant financial assets (home, savings, retirement accounts) to protect.
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Drive frequently or in high-traffic areas.
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Have teenagers on your policy.
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Work in a profession that makes you a lawsuit target.
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Have few financial assets and low income.
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Drive infrequently.
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Live in rural areas with minimal traffic.
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Need the cheapest coverage you can get, as some coverage is better than none at all.
Why higher limits matter: Even if you think you won’t get in a wreck, consider your future earning potential. Lawsuits can follow you for years, and wage garnishment can affect future income.
What to know about bodily injury claims
Bodily injury activates whenever you’re at fault and someone gets hurt, including:
💥 Rear-ending another car and injuring the driver.
🚦 Running a red light and hitting pedestrians.
🚙 Losing control and hitting multiple vehicles.
⚠️ Any accident where you’re at fault and people are injured.
The coverage also pays for legal defense if injured parties sue you for additional compensation.
It only takes 2 minutes to sign up at Jerry.
FAQ
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🚗 Will bodily injury liability cover you or your passengers?
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💸 Does bodily injury insurance coverage have a deductible?
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🏥 Can health insurance replace your auto policy for medical bills?
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🛡️How much bodily injury liability do I need?
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⚠️ What happens if my BI limits aren’t enough?
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☂️ Do I need umbrella insurance with high BI limits?
Methodology
Data included in this analysis comes from policies that Jerry has quoted within the last 6 months for drivers with a clean record and that have full coverage, unless stated otherwise. Data related to violations, accidents or credit scores pull from quote data from the last 18 months. Jerry services 48 states and offers a range of insurance companies to choose from.
Ben Moore is a writer and editor at Jerry and an auto insurance expert. He previously worked as a writer, editor and content strategist on NerdWallet’s auto insurance team for five years. His work has been published in The Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, MarketWatch, Nasdaq and Yahoo News. He also served as a NerdWallet spokesperson, with appearances on local broadcast television and quotes in Martha Stewart and Real Simple magazine.
Ben has an extensive background in digital marketing, working on affiliate and programmatic advertising campaigns for brands like Cabela’s, H&R Block and Sears. He holds a bachelors degree in marketing from Olivet Nazarene University.
