Property Damage Liability Insurance

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What Is Property Damage Liability Insurance?

If you cause an accident, your car insurance has two types of liability coverage that can help protect you:
 
  • Property damage liability insurance to help pay for repairs if you hit another person’s car.
  • Bodily injury liability insurance to help cover medical costs if you hurt someone in an automobile accident.
Many states require you to carry these policies to help cover damage and injuries you cause.
 
To learn more, let’s take a closer look at the property damage liability definition.
 

What Does Property Damage Insurance Cover?

Property damage liability insurance, also known as property damage insurance, can help pay for repairs if you destroy another person’s belongings, like their:
 
  • House
  • Vehicle
  • Office
  • Store
  • Trees
  • Lamp posts
This means that property damage insurance can help if you:
 
  • Turn your vehicle into a friend’s driveway too quickly and hit their mailbox
  • Crash into a storefront after putting your car in “drive” instead of “reverse”
  • Rear-end another car while you’re in traffic
This insurance can help cover the cost of repairs up to your policy limit. It’s also important to be aware that this coverage doesn’t pay for damage to your own car. That’s why you’ll need collision coverage.
 

Property Damage Insurance Requirements by State

Property damage liability To make sure you’re fully protected, you’ll want to get the right amount of property damage insurance. In fact, most states have a minimum amount for liability coverage. But you may want more than that, because you’ll have to pay out of pocket for repairs that exceed your policy limit.
 
Not sure how much your state requires? See what minimum limits you need, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III):
Alabama: $25,000
Alaska: $25,000
Arizona: $25,000
Arkansas: $25,000
California: $5,000
Colorado: $15,000
Connecticut: $20,000
Delaware: $10,000
Washington, D.C.: $10,000
Florida: $10,000
Georgia: $25,000
Hawaii: $10,000
Idaho: $15,000
Illinois: $20,000
Indiana: $25,000
Iowa: $15,000
Kansas: $25,000
Kentucky: $25,000
Louisiana: $25,000
Maine: $25,000
Maryland: $15,000
Massachusetts: $5,000
Michigan: $10,000
Minnesota: $10,000
Mississippi: $25,000
Missouri: $25,000
Montana: $20,000
Nebraska: $25,000
Nevada: $20,000
New Hampshire: $25,000
New Jersey: $5,000
New Mexico: $10,000
New York: $10,000
North Carolina: $25,000
North Dakota: $25,000
Ohio: $25,000
Oklahoma: $25,000
Oregon: $20,000
Pennsylvania: $5,000
Rhode Island: $25,000
South Carolina: $25,000
South Dakota: $25,000
Tennessee: $15,000
Texas: $25,000
Utah: $15,000
Vermont: $10,000
Virginia: $20,000
Washington: $10,000
West Virginia: $25,000
Wisconsin: $10,000
Wyoming: $20,000
Also keep in mind that your state may require other types of coverage on your auto policy, like medical payments. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your state’s car insurance laws to make sure you have the right coverage in your plan.
 

How Much Liability Coverage Do I Need?

What is property damage liability To figure out how much liability insurance you need, think about the total value of your personal assets. You’ll want to choose at least that much in coverage to protect your financial well-being if you’re at fault in a car accident. You can also increase your protection on the road by adding other types of liability car insurance to your policy, like:
 

How Much Does Property Damage Liability Cost

Property damage liability definition If you live in an area with more drivers, your liability cost will likely increase. This is because there’s a higher chance you’ll be in an accident where you’ll need physical damage insurance. Also, if you choose a higher coverage limit than your state’s minimum requirement, this can increase your rate. It’s also important to note that the amount you drive impacts your premium price.
 
To figure out an estimate of how much coverage you need, you can use a car insurance calculator. You can also learn more about auto insurance coverage types and what car insurance discounts are available by getting a quote from us today.
 

How Do You File a Property Damage Claim?

Don’t forget that this coverage only pays for damage to someone else’s property. So, if you hit another car you should exchange information with the other driver, including the name and contact number of your insurance company, along with your policy number.
 
The owner of that vehicle can then file a claim through your insurer. And your insurance company will work with the other driver to pay the cost to repair or replace their car.
 
If you carry collision insurance on your policy, you can file a claim to fix damages to your own vehicle. To file car insurance claims call us at 800-823-5860. For glass-only claims, you can call 800-892-8484.
property damage liability

Property Damage

Learn more about property damage in this video.
Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
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