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What Are Your Auto Bodily Injury Options & Which Should You Choose?

By October 26, 2018January 5th, 2021Insurance

Has anyone ever explained to you what your liability options are on a personal policy and how it covers you? Did you know that choosing the correct amount of liability coverage can help protect your assets?

When you purchase a Home or Auto insurance plan it’s important to understand the role your liability coverage plays, and choosing the right liability option can help protect you and your family:

Bodily Injury Limits

“I just need the cheapest insurance policy.”

“I don’t want to be over insured.”

“Someone can’t take what I don’t have.”

These phrases and their like are common when dealing with auto insurance. Yes, insurance is a bill that most of us would rather not pay. However, whether you understand its’ role or not, insurance helps protect you.

Your bodily injury limits on your auto insurance policy cover others that may be injured from an accident where you’re held legally liable. In other words, it protects you up to the policy amounts where you’re held responsible. The required Virginia state minimum coverage is $25,000/$50,000/$20,000 for an auto insurance policy. How is this read? It’s simple.

Let’s say you rear-end another vehicle at a stop light. The driver and passenger both go to the hospital, their vehicle is severely damaged, and you’re found at-fault for the incident. If your policy contains the above limits, it means your policy will pay the injured party no more than $25,000 per person and no more than $50,000 per accident. It’ll also pay up to $20,000 for property damage (their car). So if their bills total $100,000 or a lawsuit is filed the above limits are the maximum amount your policy will pay. Once your insurance policy limits are exhausted, you may be left with the remaining bill.

Depending on your situation, it may only cost a few dollars more per month to increase your liability limits.

If you’re a homeowner it’s generally recommended to carry no less than liability limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000. Higher limits are also available and you if you have more assets that need protecting you should ask about an Umbrella policy (excess liability).

Think About What’s Out There

It’s not secret that medical costs are rising. Vehicles are now equipped more technology and so are their costs. Lawyers haven’t disappeared.

Talk to our Family of Independent Agents today and see what coverage options are available to you. For over 50 years we’ve served families across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Let us help.