Property Damage Liability

This portion of your liability coverage pays for personal property that is damaged in an accident where you were found at fault. Typically the damage is to the other vehicle involved, but can also include things like mailboxes, light poles or the items inside the car that were damaged at the time of the accident.

Your property damage liability coverage pays to repair or replace these items. It does not pay to repair your own vehicle or personal items.

Each state has its own requirements on how much property damage liability coverage you are required to carry. Click here to see what your state requires. Keep in mind these are only minimums and that you can and should buy more to ensure you are protected should you cause an accident.

If you do not buy sufficient coverage for property damage liability, you may find yourself responsible for paying for the repair of the other party’s vehicle. For instance, if you purchase the minimum required at $5,000 and the damages for the accident total $10,000, you will be responsible for $5,000 out of your pocket.

It’s a smarter idea to buy enough property damage liability coverage up front to avoid this problem. Many experts recommend purchasing $50,000 in coverage per car you own. The difference between buying $5,000 and $50,000 in coverage isn’t much, and the peace of mind knowing you won’t have to pay out of pocket is worth it.