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- 100/300 means $100,000 per injured person and a maximum of $300,000 for all injuries from one accident.
- Bodily injury liability covers the other party’s injuries — not yours. Your own injuries require separate coverage, such as PIP or MedPay.
- The insurance industry’s recommended minimum is 100/300 to adequately protect your personal assets.
- If damages exceed your BI limits, you are personally responsible for the difference, which could put your home, savings and future income at risk.
- Most states require BI coverage, but state minimums are often far too low to protect you in a serious accident.
What does 100/300 bodily injury liability mean?
100/300 bodily injury coverage means your insurer will pay up to $100,000 per person injured in an at-fault accident, with a total cap of $300,000 for all injuries from that single accident.
Below is a table that shows how to read the numbers.
| Number | What it means | Dollar amount |
|---|---|---|
| $100k | Per-person limit | Up to $100,000 per injured individual |
| $300k | Per-accident limit | Up to $300,000 total for all injured parties |
Example: If you cause a crash that injures three people, your insurer could pay out up to $100,000 for each person, but will not exceed $300,000 in total claims from that one incident. Any amount above those limits becomes your personal financial responsibility.
BI limits are always written as two numbers separated by a slash — you’ll commonly see formats like 25/50, 50/100 or 100/300.
What does bodily injury liability actually cover?
Bodily injury liability pays for costs related to injuries or death that you — or any covered driver on your policy — are found legally responsible for after an at-fault accident.
Covered expenses typically include:
- Medical bills — hospital treatment, surgery, rehabilitation
- Funeral expenses — in the event of a fatality
- Lost income — compensation for the injured party’s inability to work
- Pain and suffering — non-economic damages awarded in a claim or lawsuit
- Legal defense costs — attorney fees if the injured party sues you
Important: Bodily injury liability does not cover your own injuries. If you’re hurt in a crash you caused, you’ll need personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) coverage to pay for your own medical expenses.
Is 100/300 bodily injury coverage enough?
100/300 is the coverage level most insurance experts recommend as a baseline to protect your financial well-being — but whether it’s enough depends on what you own and what you could owe.
State minimum BI requirements are often much lower — some states allow limits as low as 25/50. While meeting your state’s minimum keeps you legal, it may leave you dangerously exposed if a serious accident occurs.
Here’s why this matters: If you cause an accident where injuries and damages exceed your policy limits, your insurer pays up to the cap — and you’re personally liable for the rest. That means:
- Your savings could be liquidated
- Property could be seized
- Future wages could be garnished
The rule of thumb: Buy as much bodily injury liability coverage as you can reasonably afford, targeting at least 100/300 to cover your current assets and protect your future earning potential.
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How does 50/100 compare to 100/300 coverage?
The difference between 50/100 and 100/300 coverage is simply the size of the protection — one doubles both limits of the other, offering significantly more financial protection for a modest premium increase.
| Coverage | Per-person limit | Per-accident limit |
|---|---|---|
| 25/50 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 50/100 | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| 100/300 | $100,000 | $300,000 |
With 50/100 coverage, if you injure multiple people in a serious accident, your insurer’s total payout caps at $100,000. With 100/300, that ceiling rises to $300,000 — giving each injured party up to $100,000 before you’re personally exposed.
In most cases, the cost difference between 50/100 and 100/300 is relatively small compared to the additional protection you receive. For drivers with significant assets or earning potential, upgrading to 100/300 is generally worth the added premium.
How much bodily injury coverage do you need?
Start with your state’s minimum BI requirement, then increase your limits to match your total assets — including savings, home equity, investments and future income.
To find the right amount:
- Check your state’s minimum requirements — these vary widely and set your legal floor.
- Calculate your net worth — add up your assets; this is what’s at risk in a lawsuit.
- Consider an umbrella policy — if your assets exceed standard BI limits, a personal umbrella policy can add $1 million or more in liability protection on top of your auto policy.
- Buy as much as you can afford — the insurance industry standard recommendation is 100/300 and many advisors suggest 250/500 for higher-net-worth individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bodily injury liability limits
What does 100/300/100 mean on a car insurance policy?
The third number — 100 in this example — refers to the property damage liability limit, which is $100,000. So 100/300/100 means $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage per accident.
Does bodily injury liability cover passengers in my car?
No. Bodily injury liability covers people in other vehicles — or pedestrians — who are injured in an accident you caused. Your own passengers may be covered under medical payments or PIP coverage, depending on your policy.
What happens if I don’t have enough bodily injury coverage?
If the damages from an at-fault accident exceed your BI limits, you are personally responsible for the difference. A court judgment could allow the injured party to pursue your wages, bank accounts or property to satisfy the remaining balance.
Is bodily injury liability required in every state?
Almost. All U.S. states except New Hampshire require some form of liability coverage and most mandate bodily injury liability specifically. Minimum required limits vary by state — check your state’s requirements to confirm your legal minimums.
Can I be sued if I have bodily injury liability insurance?
Yes. Carrying BI coverage does not prevent someone from suing you. However, your insurer will provide legal defense and pay covered damages up to your policy limits. If a judgment exceeds your limits, you remain personally responsible for the excess — which is why higher limits matter.
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