In California, bodily injury liability coverage is a mandatory component of auto insurance policies for drivers. This type of coverage helps pay for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs for individuals who are injured as a result of an accident caused by the policyholder. California law requires drivers to carry at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for injuries to one person, and $30,000 for injuries to two or more people in a single accident. This minimum coverage is intended to ensure that injured parties can receive compensation for their injuries, while also protecting the at-fault driver from potentially high financial liabilities that could arise from an accident. If the policyholder is responsible for an accident that causes significant harm to others, the bodily injury liability coverage can help cover the injured party’s medical bills and legal costs.
However, the minimum required coverage may not be sufficient to cover all the expenses in more severe accidents, especially if multiple people are injured or if the injuries are serious. For this reason, California drivers are encouraged to purchase higher limits of bodily injury liability coverage to provide better protection. If the policyholder’s coverage is insufficient to cover the costs of the injured parties’ damages, the at-fault driver may be personally liable for the remaining amounts. Additionally, the bodily injury liability coverage in the at-fault driver’s policy does not cover the policyholder’s own injuries—such coverage would need to be obtained separately through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage.
