Liability Insurance Coverage When You're Not at Fault Explained

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Liability insurance coverage is a vital aspect of personal and business protection, but what happens when you're not at fault in an accident? In most cases, your liability insurance coverage will kick in to help cover damages and expenses.

If you're involved in a car accident, for example, and you're not found to be at fault, your liability insurance coverage can help pay for the other party's medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and lost wages. This can be a huge relief, especially if you're not financially prepared for such a situation.

Liability insurance coverage typically includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and personal injury protection. These coverages can help you pay for damages and expenses even if you're not at fault.

What Liability Insurance Covers

Liability insurance covers a lot more than just your own car repairs. Your liability car insurance pays up to the maximum amounts specified in your policy, which is usually three main liability limits.

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The first number, such as $25,000 in the example "25/50/25", represents the maximum your insurance will pay for injuries to a single person after an accident. This is known as the bodily injury liability limit per person.

If multiple people are injured in an accident, the second number, $50,000 in the example, represents the maximum your insurance will pay for injuries to everyone you hurt in a single accident. This is the bodily injury liability limit per accident.

The final number, $25,000 in the example, represents the maximum amount your insurance will pay for total property damage you cause, such as damage to cars, buildings, or anything else that isn’t a person. This is the property damage liability limit per accident.

Liability insurance can also cover damages to someone else's property, such as their car or fencing, up to a maximum limit, such as $75,000.

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North Carolina Requirements and Limits

In North Carolina, liability insurance limits are a crucial aspect of car insurance policies. Most auto policies have three main liability limits, often displayed as three numbers on your policy.

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If you're involved in an accident and not at fault, the other driver's liability insurance would typically pay for your repairs. However, if they don't have insurance, your repairs could be covered by your collision coverage or uninsured motorist coverage if you have added these optional coverage types to your policy.

The minimum liability limits in North Carolina are typically set at 25/50/25, which means $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident.

North Carolina Requirements

In North Carolina, your liability insurance will only pay up to the policy limits. The policy limits are listed in your policy contract and set the maximum amount of money that your insurance provider will pay out.

The state of North Carolina sets a liability minimum that all drivers must carry, known as $30,000/$60,000/$25,000. This is a specific amount that represents the maximum bodily injury liability, aggregate or total bodily injury liability, and maximum property damage liability.

Policy limits are generally separated into three categories, also known as "split limits", which include maximum bodily injury liability, aggregate or total bodily injury liability, and maximum property damage liability.

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Car Insurance Liability Limits

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Car insurance liability limits are the maximum amounts your insurance company will pay out in the event of an accident. In North Carolina, the minimum liability limit is $30,000/$60,000/$25,000.

This minimum limit is made up of three separate limits: $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability per accident. Most auto policies have three main liability limits, often displayed as three numbers on your policy.

These numbers represent the maximum your insurance will pay for injuries to a single person, injuries to everyone you hurt in a single accident, and total property damage you cause. The first number is the bodily injury liability limit per person, the second number is the bodily injury liability limit per accident, and the third number is the property damage liability limit per accident.

For example, a policy with "25/50/25" would pay out $25,000 for injuries to a single person, $50,000 for injuries to everyone hurt in a single accident, and $25,000 for total property damage. Some insurers offer an alternative called "combined single limit" liability, which is one larger liability limit to cover both bodily injury and property damage.

This type of liability insurance generally costs more than paying for three separate limits, but it can provide more financial protection. If someone else is to blame for an accident that damages your car, their liability insurance would typically pay for your repairs, unless they don't have insurance.

Dealing with the Other Driver's Insurance

Credit: youtube.com, I only have liability insurance. Can I still make a claim If the other driver has no insurance?

If you're not at fault in an accident, dealing with the other driver's insurance can be a challenge. You'll want to take a picture of their insurance card and driver's license at the accident scene, and ask for their name, phone number, insurance company name, and policy number if they don't have an insurance card.

You'll need to file a claim with the other driver's car insurance and let your own insurance company know. If police responded to the accident, get a copy of the report and send it to the other insurance company. If the other driver didn't have insurance or drove away without stopping, you can skip to the next step.

The other driver's insurance should pay for your car repairs, medical bills, and a rental car, but there's no guarantee they will. If they don't pay, ask for their reason in detail and in writing.

Here are the steps to take if the other driver's insurance company denies your claim:

  • If they say they won't pay, ask for their reason in detail and in writing.
  • If they still refuse to pay, you can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
  • If the insurance company still won't pay, you may need to get legal help.

Your own insurance company can help if the other driver's insurance company won't pay. If you have collision coverage, it will pay your repair costs. If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, it will pay if the at-fault driver didn't have insurance or enough insurance to pay your car repairs.

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Property Damage Liability

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Property damage liability is a crucial coverage to have, especially if you're involved in a car accident. It can help pay for damages to someone else's property, like their car or fencing.

Car accidents can cause a lot of damage, and it's not just your car that can be totaled. If you're at fault, you could also be held responsible for damaging someone else's property.

The property damage portion of your liability car insurance can pay out costs to repair damaged property, up to a certain limit. For example, if your liability coverage has a limit of $75,000, your insurance policy could pay for property damage up to that amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does liability insurance pay for repairs?

Liability insurance does not pay for repairs, but rather covers damages to others in an accident. If you're at fault, you may need to pay for repairs out of pocket or through collision coverage.

Vanessa Schmidt

Lead Writer

Vanessa Schmidt is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of personal finance. Her expertise has led to the creation of articles on a wide range of topics, including Wells Fargo credit card information, where she provides readers with valuable insights and practical advice.

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