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What is liability insurance, and how does it work?

Liability coverage on your USAA Auto Insurance policy helps pay for other people's bodily injuries or property damage if you cause an accident. Whether you're at fault because you lost control of your car on a slick road or an animal causes you to swerve into another vehicle, your liability coverage could help pay for the other driver's repairs or medical bills.

What's usually covered?

  • The other driver's medical expenses
  • The other driver's pain and suffering
  • The other driver's lost wages
  • The other driver's vehicle and property repairs
  • Your legal defense if you're sued after an accident

What's not covered?

  • Your medical bills
  • Your pain and suffering
  • Your lost wages
  • Your vehicle and property repairs
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Is liability insurance required?

You may hear people say you're legally required to have car insurance. What they're actually talking about is liability coverage. By law, you're required to purchase at least minimum bodily injury and property damage liability coverage in most states.

Some states may even require you to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may include medical costs for injuries to you and your passengers, as well as property damage from an accident caused by a driver with little or no insurance.

How much does liability insurance cost?

Not all premiums are created equal. Several variables affect how much you pay for liability insurance. Your driving record, car's value, location and the amount of coverage you select are among the things that determine what you end up paying.

What's the difference between liability, collision and comprehensive coverage?

  • Liability coverage helps pay for the other person's medical and repair bills if you cause an accident.

  • Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from accidents related to driving, no matter who's legally responsible.

  • Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from other events, such as fire, glass damage, theft and animal collision.

Accidents happen. Help protect your livelihood with liability insurance.

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What does "full coverage" mean?

You may be surprised that full coverage doesn't exist as an option when buying car insurance. Your bank or lender may say they require it, though. They're usually referring to physical damage coverage including collision and comprehensive, along with the minimum liability coverage amounts that most states and some lenders require. The physical damage coverages can help pay for repairs to your car for covered losses like damage from hitting an object or flooding, and liability may help pay the medical expenses when you are responsible for injuring someone.

How much liability insurance do I need?

Each state sets the minimum amount of liability coverage you're required to purchase. In Texas for example, drivers must have the following minimum liability limits:

  • $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person

  • $60,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident limit

  • $25,000 property damage liability coverage

Sounds like enough, right? Let's say you hit a car with multiple people inside and they all have injuries. Those medical bills can add up quickly and easily exceed your $60,000 limit per accident. This is why some drivers consider additional coverage above the state minimums.

Did you know?

You can bundle an umbrella policy with your auto insurance. It can help pick up where your auto coverage leaves off, and you may receive a savings on both.

How can I save on my premium?

  • Select a different car. Consider a vehicle that won't be too costly to repair and run quotes on the ones you're looking at.

  • Get an anti-theft device.See note1 If you also have comprehensive coverage, having an anti-theft device installed in your car may help lower your car insurance premium.

  • Combine your policies. If you have multiple insurance policies with different companies, you might qualify for savings by bundling them with one carrier.See note2

  • Earn discounts. Everything from staying claims free and maintaining a good driving recordSee note3 to insuring a new vehicleSee note4 can help you qualify for savings on your premium.

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Did you know?

In most cases you'll need liability insurance before you can add other coverages to your policy. Think of it as step one in building your auto policy.

Get the other coverage you need.

Have more questions or need to file a claim?

Filing a claim online is easier than ever, but we're here to help. Call 210-531-USAA (8722)([that's 210-531-]8722) if you have questions. Or visit our car insurance FAQ page to learn more about car insurance.