What is liability insurance and what does it cover? Below, Auto-Owners Insurance tells you what you need to know.
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Whether you need it for your business, car, or house, liability coverage is a crucial piece of your insurance policies. It can be the difference between a catastrophic financial loss and being able to handle the situation confidently.
1. What is liability insurance?
Liability insurance is a term people often use when they’re actually referring to a portion of an existing insurance policy.
Broadly speaking, liability coverage provides financial protection if somebody makes a claim against you because of an injury, property damage or other covered loss.
Essentially, if you are deemed legally obligated to pay damages, the liability coverage within the applicable insurance policy may help you pay for those damages.
2. What does liability insurance cover?
This will depend on what type of insurance policy you’re looking at for liability coverage.
So, let’s dive in to the common policies that typically include liability coverage and what it covers.
Liability coverage within an auto insurance policy can pay for covered damages resulting from an auto accident, like:
- Property damage to the property of others
- Bodily injury
Business insurance policies have a wide range of options when it comes to liability coverage because of the risks that come with owning a business. Generally, when you’re looking at what liability insurance covers for a business, it may include:
- False advertising accusations
- Damaged property of others
- Bodily injury
- Data loss expenses (if you include cyber liability coverage)
- And more
The liability coverage within a home insurance policy, renters insurance policy, or condo insurance policy may include:
- Medical payments to others who are injured at your residence, which may apply regardless of fault
- Certain incidents you’re liable for even while you’re away from home like when you accidentally hit your golf ball a little too far and cause property damage or injury.
3. Why do I need liability insurance?
You can’t anticipate what may transpire after a covered loss, which is already a stressful situation. Besides providing financial protection, it may also be required by your state or, if you own a business, it may be required by the industry you’re working in.
4. What coverage limit should I have on liability?
Almost as important as actually having liability coverage is making sure you select an adequate limit. This will again depend on your situation and what insurance policy you’re looking to add this coverage to. Talking to a local, independent insurance agent is a great way to get advice about what limit may protect you best.
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Source: Auto-Owners Insurance
