Liability Insurance for Illinois Crashes

If you cause a crash, you should have liability insurance to protect you from having to pay for damages. Liability insurance for automobiles is a type of insurance that protects the insured party from financial losses that arise from damage caused to other people or property. Liability insurance is mandatory in Illinois.

​

Illinois law requires drivers carry at least $25,000.00 in liability coverage. If someone only carries $25,000.00 in coverage but causes a crash where the cost of the injuries exceeds $25,000.00, then the insurance company has a duty to pay the $25,000.00 right away and that driver under certain circumstances can be personally liable for any excess damages. The state minimum in Illinois of $25,000.00 is typically too low to cover the full extent of damages caused by a car accident, bicycle accident or similar crash.

 

Liability insurance does not typically pay for damages to the person who caused the crash. Liability insurance for automobiles typically covers two types of liabilities: bodily injury liability and property damage liability to the person and property that the insured driver harms. Bodily injury liability covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs associated with injuries to other people in an accident. Property damage liability covers the cost of repairs or replacement of other people's property damaged in an accident caused by the insured.

 

Many liability insurance policies do not cover damages to the insured person’s own property or if the insured gets injured. Other types of insurance can come into play to help protect someone who causes a crash if they are also injured in the same crash. If you ever have any questions about which types of insurance coverage are right for you, you can contact our office with any questions or for a referral to a qualified insurance broker.