Do you need bodily injury liability coverage in Indiana? The state requires you to carry bodily injury liability insurance before operating a vehicle. Failure to maintain this kind of insurance could result in legal penalties.
Bodily injury liability insurance can also protect your finances in an accident. You can learn more about this type of insurance with an Indiana car accident lawyer from our team at Vaughan & Vaughan.
Call or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
What Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?
Bodily injury liability insurance is a type of auto insurance coverage that helps pay for injuries you cause to others in a car accident. It covers injuries to people, not vehicles. Separate collision or comprehensive coverage covers property damage.
Your bodily injury liability policy will have two limits: one for each person injured and one for all injuries in a single accident. Higher limits can provide more comprehensive protection and compensation for injured parties.
You can learn more with an Indiana auto insurance claim lawyer.
Does Indiana Require Bodily Injury Liability Insurance?
Indiana requires you to carry bodily injury liability insurance to legally operate your vehicle. Failure to carry insurance can result in legal penalties such as fines or points on your license.
Therefore, all drivers in Indiana need this form of insurance coverage to comply with local laws.
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Why Is Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Important?
Bodily injury liability insurance kicks in when you are deemed legally liable for causing injuries to another driver, passenger, or pedestrian in an accident.
In the event of a wreck, the other driver’s health insurance may cover some medical costs, but bodily injury liability insurance covers things their health insurance does not, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Other non-economic damages
In short, bodily injury liability insurance protects you financially in a serious car accident where you injure others through your negligence or actions, making it very important for all drivers in Indiana.
How Much Bodily Injury Liability Coverage do You Need?
Indiana requires you to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. You can purchase more bodily injury liability insurance to improve your insurance policy.
How Much Bodily Injury Liability Insurance Should You Have?
The right amount of bodily injury liability insurance for you depends on your situation and risk tolerance. While Indiana has legal guidelines, the state requires the bare minimum, and many experts recommend significantly higher limits.
When deciding how much bodily injury liability insurance to purchase, consider your:
Assets and Net Worth
The more assets and savings you have, the more coverage you likely need to protect them in case of a costly lawsuit.
Likelihood and Severity of Potential Injuries
The higher the risk of serious injuries, the more coverage you should seek. For example, driving a large vehicle increases injury risks, so higher limits may be advisable.
Cost of Living Expenses in Your Area
Consider how much it would cost for you to cover someone else’s daily living expenses, medical bills, and lost wages if they were seriously injured. The more coverage you have, the more you can help compensate them.
Recommendations from the Experts
Your insurance company and financial advisor may recommend minimum limits based on your situation. Some mortgage lenders and insurance professionals recommend at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident in liability coverage.
Regardless of the coverage you select, there are no guarantees – higher limits provide broader protection but do not ensure adequate coverage in every circumstance. When making your decision, weigh the potential risks and costs of a serious injury lawsuit against the increased premium costs of higher liability limits.
What Other Kind of Insurance Must You Carry in Indiana?
In addition to bodily injury liability coverage, Indiana requires you to carry several other forms of insurance before operating a motor vehicle. Generally, drivers must have property damage liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
You may also carry uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage in Indiana. However, the state allows you to reject these insurance policies by sending a message in writing to your insurance company.
However, declining uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance can leave you without compensation if an improperly insured driver strikes you in Indiana.
Do You Need Bodily Injury Liability Coverage If Someone Hits You?
Bodily injury liability coverage kicks in if you cause an accident that injures someone else in Indiana. Therefore, this form of insurance generally does not come into play if someone else causes an accident that hurts you.
Instead, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy may have to cover your losses. A personal injury lawyer can investigate your accident to determine liability and show that someone else is liable for your losses.
In some cases, other drivers try to downplay your losses or blame you for a wreck they caused. Your attorney may escalate this situation by filing a car accident lawsuit on your behalf.
What Happens If You don’t Have Enough Bodily Injury Liability Coverage?
Not having enough bodily injury liability coverage can leave you exposed in the event of a serious car accident. Other drivers could sue you for damages, putting your assets at risk. You could sustain damage to your credit and have to dip into your savings to cover the expenses.
Additionally, your insurance rates could spike after the insurance. In some cases, you could even face criminal charges.
Speak to Us About Bodily Injury Liability Coverage in Indiana
Do you need bodily injury liability coverage in Indiana? Yes, the state requires you to carry bodily injury liability insurance before driving. This insurance protects you in the event of an accident.
However, if someone else caused your wreck, you may not have to touch this policy. Find out more about this situation with a car accident attorney from Vaughan & Vaughan. Call or fill out our online contact form to get started.
