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Third-party car insurance

Third-party liability insurance protects you from other drivers’ claims.

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Roslyn McKenna
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Third-party car insurance is required in most states and protects you if you’re at fault in an accident and need to pay for damage caused to another driver. This type of coverage is also called liability insurance.

What does third-party car insurance cover?

You’ll need third-party car insurance to cover claims other drivers make against you for damage you caused. These third-party claims comprise three different groups of people. You’re the first party, and your insurer is the second. Everyone else on the road is the third party who receives coverage when you cause the damage.

The different types of third-party coverage include renters insurance, homeowners insurance and business owners policies. For auto insurance, there are two types of third-party coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These are basic forms of liability coverage.

Does liability insurance come with a deductible?

Third-party auto insurance usually doesn’t come with a deductible. For example, if you hit another car and your insurance covers the cost of the other driver’s repairs, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket.

How do third party car insurance limits work?

When you’re buying third-party auto insurance, you’ll need to choose the amount of coverage you want. Your policy will either be split limit or combined single limit.

Split limit policy

While shopping for liability coverage, you may see an insurance policy expressed as “25/50/15.” When you see numbers like these, you’re looking at a split limit policy.

These numbers are just shorthand for how much your insurance will cover you for.

  • The first number is the individual payment limit per accident for bodily injury. The “25” in our example refers to $25,000. It’s how much your insurance will cover for each person’s bodily injury costs (other than yours). For example, if you’ve injured someone in an accident and their medical bills are $20,000, you’re covered.
  • The second number is the overall payment limit per accident for bodily injury. The “50” refers to $50,000. It’s how much your insurance will cover for the total bodily injury costs in an accident (other than yours). For example, if you’ve injured five people and their medical bills are $20,000 each, you’re on the hook for $100,000. In this case, your policy will cover $50,000, and you’ll need to pay the other $50,000 yourself.
  • The third number is the overall payment limit per accident for property damage. The “15” refers to $15,000. It’s how much your insurance will cover for the total cost of property damage in an accident. (This doesn’t include your own vehicle — instead, you’ll need collision coverage for that.) For example, if you rammed into a barn and it costs $6,000 to repair it, your insurance will cover the expenses.

The three numbers will change to create different policies. Your state will most likely have policy minimums, but otherwise you’re free to choose the right mix for your own needs.

Combined single limit policy

A combined single limit policy offers one coverage limit.

Let’s say you took out $200,000 of combined single limit coverage. In the event of an accident, you can split this coverage between different types of damages. For example, you’d be covered in these instances:

  • One person’s medical bills totals $150,000, and there’s $30,000 in property damage.
  • The medical bills of four people total $200,000.
  • You caused property damage that costs $180,000. You also need to pay for someone’s medical bill of $15,000.

All of those costs are $200,000 or less, so your insurance will cover them.

Compare liability-only insurance policies

Name Product Roadside assistance New car protection Accident forgiveness Safe driver discount Available states
Allstate
Allstate
Optional
13%
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Your dedicated agent can help you find the best savings with multiple discounts and rewards programs.
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Progressive
Progressive
Optional
30%
All 50 states & DC
Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.
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The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford
Optional
Yes
All 50 states
Enjoy low rates for mature drivers, plus perks like new car replacement and lifetime repair guarantees. Only for drivers over age 50.
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Root
Root
52%
Available in 31 states
Track your driving to receive a low rate that reflects your driving skills, and enjoy a fully app-based policy experience.
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Savvy
Savvy
Optional
Depends on provider
Yes
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Get quotes in 30-seconds from 100+ companies, and save an average of $800 or more per year. Requires online login to your existing insurance.
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Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual
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30%
All 50 states & DC
Earn free accident forgiveness after five years claims-free and customize your policy anytime online at the tap of a button.
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How much liability coverage do I need?

In every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, you’re required to buy third-party coverage. Furthermore, your state requires certain minimums in bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Third-party coverage ensures you’ll have the means to pay if your vehicle causes damage to others or their property.

View liability coverage requirements by state

What are the requirements for New Hampshire and Virginia?

If you live in New Hampshire, you’re not required to have auto insurance. However, you need to prove you can pay if you cause bodily injury or property damage. The easiest way to do this, of course, is by purchasing insurance.

It’s not mandatory to have auto insurance in Virginia, either. But like in New Hampshire, you must prove that you can pay for costs stemming from bodily injury or property damage. You can do that by either buying insurance or paying a fee to Virginia’s DMV.

How much does liability-only car insurance cost?

Typical costs for liability-only or state minimum policies are in the range of $500 to $1,000. The cost of third party auto insurance will vary considerably depending on your age, where you live and your driving history, among other factors.

Liability-only car insurance quotes

CompanyAverage annual rateLearn more
Geico$394Read review
USAA$416Read review
Progressive$536Read review
Grange$557Read review
Mercury$564Read review
Kemper$615Read review
21st Century$651Read review
Allied$666Read review
Nationwide$666Read review
Allstate$693Read review
Liberty Mutual$709Read review
State Farm$726Read review
The Hartford$727Read review
Average$598Compare all reviews

Bottom line

Before you hit the road, you’ll need car insurance. Third party liability coverage will protect you against other drivers’ claims for bodily injury and property damage.

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Common questions about third party liability insurance

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