Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Auto Insurance Defined (2024)
Most states, except Florida, require bodily injury liability (BIL) auto insurance to cover the other driver's medical expenses and lost wages after an at-fault accident. Cheap BIL insurance rates start at $25/mo. Below, we'll explain more about the bodily injury liability definition and what it covers.
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Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 25, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 25, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Only one state does not require bodily injury liability insurance: Florida.
- Most would recommend that you have bodily injury liability coverage in the amounts of $100,000/$300,000 or more.
- Bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages.
You might be wondering what bodily injury liability (BIL) auto insurance means and how much you need. BIL is a type of auto insurance that covers medical expenses and lost wages for other drivers in at-fault accidents. On average, BIL insurance costs $25 monthly, so finding cheap bodily injury coverage should be easy.
Keep reading to learn more about what bodily injury liability is, whether you can file a bodily injury claim against your own insurance, and how to find cheap BIL coverage. Then, get a good start comparing liability auto insurance rates using our helpful tool above simply by typing in your ZIP code.
Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) Auto Insurance Definition
What is liability auto insurance coverage? Liability coverage that pays for the other person’s bills when you cause an accident.
If you cause an accident that causes injury to others, bodily injury liability auto insurance coverage pays for their medical expenses and any income they lost while recovering. However, it doesn’t cover your personal injuries, so you can’t file a bodily injury claim against your own insurance.
For a fuller bodily injury liability insurance description, take a look at a brief and fun video further explaining what this form of coverage is. Note that the video will also go into the definition of property damage liability.
In short, bodily injury liability covers medical expenses, and property damage liability covers damage costs for an individual’s vehicle and/or property.
Note that these forms of coverage are usually a package deal. Let’s take a look at a table comparing rates for liability coverage state by state.
Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Level
| State | Minimum Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33 | $72 |
| Alaska | $45 | $86 |
| Arizona | $42 | $81 |
| Arkansas | $33 | $76 |
| California | $41 | $82 |
| Colorado | $43 | $82 |
| Connecticut | $54 | $96 |
| Delaware | $67 | $103 |
| Florida | $71 | $105 |
| Georgia | $46 | $87 |
| Hawaii | $38 | $73 |
| Idaho | $29 | $57 |
| Illinois | $37 | $74 |
| Indiana | $32 | $63 |
| Iowa | $25 | $59 |
| Kansas | $30 | $72 |
| Kentucky | $44 | $78 |
| Louisiana | $65 | $117 |
| Maine | $28 | $59 |
| Maryland | $51 | $93 |
| Massachusetts | $51 | $94 |
| Michigan | $66 | $114 |
| Minnesota | $38 | $73 |
| Mississippi | $38 | $83 |
| Missouri | $35 | $73 |
| Montana | $32 | $72 |
| Nebraska | $30 | $69 |
| Nevada | $57 | $92 |
| New Hampshire | $33 | $68 |
| New Jersey | $72 | $115 |
| New Mexico | $41 | $78 |
| New York | $67 | $113 |
| North Carolina | $30 | $66 |
| North Dakota | $25 | $64 |
| Ohio | $33 | $66 |
| Oklahoma | $38 | $84 |
| Oregon | $49 | $75 |
| Pennsylvania | $42 | $81 |
| Rhode Island | $63 | $109 |
| South Carolina | $44 | $81 |
| South Dakota | $25 | $64 |
| Tennessee | $34 | $73 |
| Texas | $44 | $92 |
| Utah | $41 | $73 |
| Vermont | $29 | $64 |
| Virginia | $35 | $70 |
| Washington | $50 | $81 |
| Washington, D.C. | $52 | $111 |
| West Virginia | $41 | $85 |
| Wisconsin | $31 | $61 |
| Wyoming | $27 | $71 |
| U.S. Average | $45 | $84 |
The bottom line is that you are usually going to need liability insurance and it’s not all that expensive. Let’s move on to see which states require bodily injury liability insurance.
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Bodily Injury Liability Auto Insurance Requirements
Interestingly enough, every state except Florida requires BIL insurance. All 50 states and Washington D.C. require property damage liability.
So, why Florida? Florida minimum auto insurance requirements include personal injury protection (PIP) since it’s a no-fault state. With that being said, no matter who caused the accident, their own personal injury protection covers them in Florida.
Let’s move on to see how much bodily injury liability insurance coverage you’ll need in the states that require it.
If you were to listen to the majority of experts, what you would need is coverage amounts of $100,000 for one individual and $300,000 for the accident. A lot of states require only $25,000/$50,000, though. With that being said, it may not be enough.
https://youtu.be/04SZGS6DdVM
Just because you have this BIL insurance coverage amount, or your state’s particular minimum, doesn’t mean you are truly, fully covered. If you cause an accident and your insurance doesn’t cover you fully, you’re essentially opening yourself up to lawsuits.
The premiums paid would pale in comparison to the ramifications of a lawsuit. So, depending on where you live and how likely an accident is, it’s best to raise your coverage level.
How to Get Cheap Bodily Injury Liability Auto Insurance Coverage
Finding affordable bodily injury liability insurance should be easy, since average rates start at $25 monthly. BIL insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for other drivers in at-fault accidents, so you can’t file a bodily injury claim against your own insurance. Read more about how to manage your auto insurance policy.
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— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) September 4, 2023
For bodily injury liability insurance quotes, type your ZIP code into our helpful tool below and get bodily injury liability insurance rates for bodily injury liability coverage from insurers in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bodily injury liability?
Bodily injury liability auto insurance, or BIL coverage, pays for the medical expenses and lost wages of other drivers in accidents you cause. Most states require you to carry this coverage.
What are some bodily injury examples for insurance?
Examples of bodily injuries include broken bones, internal bleeding, cuts, bruises, fractures, burns, disfigurement, and nerve damage.
Does bodily injury liability cover me?
Bodily injury liability insurance doesn’t cover your medical expenses or lost wages — the coverage only pays for injuries to other parties. However, it protects you from lawsuits after an at-fault accident.
How much bodily injury is full coverage?
You must meet your state minimum auto insurance requirements for bodily injury and carry other coverages such as collision and comprehensive to have full coverage.
In Florida, when would you be required to have bodily injury liability insurance?
Florida auto insurance doesn’t require bodily injury liability coverage unless you were convicted of a traffic violation.
What is the difference between bodily injury liability (BIL) and personal injury protection (PIP)?
BIL auto insurance covers the medical expenses of the person who didn’t cause the accident. Personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance helps pay for your own medical bills after an accident.
What is the max you can get from an auto accident liability settlement?
The average property damage liability claim is about $3,500 but it all depends on the extent of the accident’s damage. Read more about the best property damage liability (PDL) auto insurance companies.
Does liability insurance cover your vehicle?
No, liability insurance covers the other driver.
When should you get liability-only auto insurance?
If the cost of comprehensive and collision exceeds 10% of your vehicle’s value, get liability-only coverage.
What happens if I exceed my bodily injury coverage limits?
If the costs associated with injuries in an accident exceed your bodily injury coverage limits, you may be personally responsible for the additional expenses. So, it’s important to carefully consider your BIL coverage limits and potentially consider umbrella insurance to provide extra liability protection.
What happens if I don’t have bodily injury coverage?
You could get sued for the other drivers’ medical expenses if you don’t carry bodily injury liability auto insurance. Driving without auto insurance is also illegal and could lead to consequences, including fines, license suspension, and jail time.
Does bodily injury cover pain and suffering?
Yes, the best auto insurance companies consider pain and suffering when settling bodily injury liability claims.
Can I add additional coverage to my bodily injury liability policy?
Yes, in addition to bodily injury liability coverage, you can add other types of auto insurance to your policy, such as property damage liability coverage to cover damage to another person’s property, medical payments coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage.
How do I choose the appropriate bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage limits?
Choosing the appropriate bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage limits depends on several factors, including the state requirements, your assets and financial situation, and your risk tolerance.
It’s important to consider the potential costs of medical treatment and legal expenses in the event of a serious accident. If you have significant assets, you may want to consider higher BIL coverage limits to protect yourself from potential lawsuits.
What does bodily injury liability not cover?
Bodily injury liability (BIL) auto insurance doesn’t cover injuries to you or your passengers in your own vehicle. It also doesn’t cover damage to your vehicle or the other person’s vehicle involved in the accident. BIL coverage specifically covers injuries you caused in an accident.
Can you file a bodily injury claim against your own insurance?
No, you can’t file a bodily injury claim against your own insurance. Bodily injury liability only pays for the medical expenses and lost wages of other drivers you injure in an at-fault accident. You must get medical payment coverage on auto insurance for help paying for hospital bills after an accident.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.