Combined single limit liability insurance gives you one total amount of coverage for both injuries and property damage you cause in an at-fault accident. Instead of separate limits for each type (called split limits), you get one pool of money that can be used wherever it’s needed most.
Jerry has helped 1,157,675 drivers compare liability coverage options in the past year. Among those who chose a combined single limit (CSL), 96% selected a $500,000 limit. Monthly quotes ranged from $118 to $535, depending on coverage limits.
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Drivers can structure their liability insurance in one of two ways:
- Split limits is most common and divides your coverage into three separate coverages: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage per accident. You’ll see this written as 25/50/25 or 100/300/100, where the numbers indicate the maximum limit for each coverage.
- Combined single limit (CSL) coverage combines all three liability limits into one total amount, usually $100,000, $300,000, $500,000, or $1 million. Your insurer pays for covered injuries or property damage in any combination until that limit is reached.
Key takeaway: A combined single limit shines when one part of a claim is much larger than the others. For example, if you total a $60,000 vehicle but cause only minor injuries, a split-limit policy with a $25,000 property cap leaves you exposed. A $100,000 CSL policy covers the full vehicle repair without asking which bucket the money comes from.
Do you need a combined single limit?
A CSL works best for drivers looking for broad protection and flexibility from their car insurance policy.
Consider if you:
-
Drive frequently in dense traffic or during rush hours where multi-vehicle accidents are more likely.
-
Live or commute in areas with expensive vehicles (luxury SUVs, electric cars, high-end trucks.)
-
Carry passengers regularly—carpools, rideshare driving, or teens with friends.
-
Own a home or have significant savings a lawsuit could target.
-
Own a home or have significant savings a lawsuit could target.
| You may want it if you: | Consider split limits if you: |
|---|---|
| Currently carry state-minimum or low split limits and want stronger protection without juggling three numbers. | You drive rarely in low-traffic rural areas. |
| Live in a state with high medical costs or litigation rates. | You’re happy with your current liability split limits. |
| Plan to layer umbrella insurance on top and want a clean, robust foundation. | You’ve compared quotes and the CSL premium stretches your budget beyond the added flexibility benefit. |
Learn more: How much car insurance do I need?
Get a CSL policy with Jerry
When you shop for car insurance, compare CSL and split-limit quotes to see how each structure affects your total price. Jerry shows you rates from 50+ carriers side-by-side so you can see exactly what each insurer charges for your chosen CSL amount.
Once you’ve found the right balance of protection and price, Jerry handles the paperwork, coordinates your start date to avoid any coverage gap and can help cancel your old policy for you.
CSL vs. split liability limits: A real-world example
🚗 Scenario:
You cause a crash that results in $70,000 in medical bills and $50,000 in vehicle damage.
Total claim cost: $130,000.
What’s covered with a combined single liability limit of $300,000:
✅ Your policy has one limit of $300,000 that covers everything in the $130,000 claim, including all injuries and property damage.
🙌 You owe $0 out of pocket.
What’s covered with split limits of 100/300/50:
✅ Your auto policy covers $100,000 for injuries and $50,000 for property damage.
❌ But the vehicle damage was $60,000, so your property limit falls $10,000 short.
⚠️ You owe $10,000 out of pocket.
Key takeaway: Split liability limits can leave you exposed when one category maxes out, even if your other limits have room. CSL covers the total claim as long as it stays under your single limit.
How a CSL works with umbrella insurance
CSL is your primary auto liability limit. It pays first when you cause a car accident.
Umbrella insurance is excess liability coverage that kicks in after your auto policy limit is exhausted. If you carry a $500,000 CSL and cause a $1.2 million claim, your umbrella covers the remaining costs, up to your umbrella policy’s limit.
Consider pairing a CSL with an umbrella policy if:
🏠 You own a home or have significant assets (like savings, investments and rental properties) a lawsuit could target.
🚗 You have teen drivers or other high-risk household members.
💰 You want $1–5 million in total liability protection at a lower combined cost than maxing out your auto policy alone.
Jerry recommends: Get an umbrella policy if you need auto liability limits higher than $1 million. Umbrella policies cost roughly $X – $X per year for the first $1 million, which is often cheaper than increasing your auto liability limits. Plus, an umbrella policy covers you across multiple other insurance policies, including home, auto, boat and more.
What a combined single limit does and doesn’t cover
| Covered | Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury you cause to others. | Your own injuries. |
| Property damage you cause to other vehicles, buildings, or structures | Damage to your own vehicle. |
| Legal defense costs if you’re sued after an at-fault accident | Damage you cause intentionally. |
Key takeaway: CSL is for liability insurance. It pays for others’ injuries and property damage when you’re at fault in a car accident. For your own vehicle damage, you need collision and comprehensive coverage. For your own injuries, you need medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP), depending on your state.
It only takes 2 minutes to sign up at Jerry.
faq
-
📋 Is a combined single limit the same as full coverage?
-
🔄 Can I switch from split limits to CSL mid-policy?
-
🏠 What CSL amount should I carry if I own a home?
-
🚫 Does CSL cover me if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?
-
⏱️ How quickly does CSL coverage start after I buy it?
-
☂️ Do I need CSL if I already have umbrella insurance?
-
💰 Is CSL more expensive in high-cost-of-living states?
-
🚨 Can I get CSL if I have a DUI or SR-22 requirement?
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.
