Personal liability coverage is an essential part of any homeowners insurance policy. While many people are familiar with the slip and fall premise liability aspect, there is much more to personal liability coverage than that. In this blog post, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of personal liability coverage and showcase various examples of when it might save the day. At Page Insurance, we believe it’s important to be informed about your coverage to ensure you’re protected in a variety of situations.
Did you know?
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites account for about one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims, with an average payout of around $44,000 per claim.
- 75% of umbrella claims are related to auto accidents, but personal liability claims can also result from incidents on your property or damage caused by your family members or pets.
What is Personal Liability Coverage?
Personal liability coverage is the part of your homeowners insurance policy that provides financial protection if someone is injured or their property is damaged due to your actions, negligence, or accidents that occur on your property. It can also cover legal fees and medical bills associated with these incidents.
Examples of Personal Liability Coverage Saving the Day:
- Your child accidentally throws a baseball through a neighbor’s window, breaking it and damaging items inside their home.
- A guest at your home trips on a loose step, resulting in a broken ankle and medical bills.
- Your dog bites a visitor on your property, leading to medical treatment and potential legal fees.
- Your teenager accidentally damages a friend’s valuable artwork during a visit to their home.
- You unintentionally injure someone while participating in a recreational activity, like golf or tennis.
- A tree on your property falls and damages your neighbor’s fence or car.
- You accidentally cause water damage to your neighbor’s property while watering your lawn.
- Your child accidentally injures a classmate during a school event.
- A guest slips on an icy sidewalk outside your home and requires medical treatment.
- Your barbecue grill malfunctions and causes a fire that damages a neighbor’s property.
The Importance of Adequate Coverage and Umbrella Policies:
With the ever-growing costs of medical care, legal fees, and property damage, it’s crucial to ensure that you have adequate personal liability coverage in place. Standard homeowners policies typically offer personal liability coverage starting at $100,000, but at Page Insurance, we recommend increasing your coverage to at least $300,000 for all our clients.
In addition to increasing your personal liability coverage limits, we believe everyone should consider purchasing an umbrella policy. Umbrella policies provide an additional layer of liability coverage, usually starting at $1 million, and can protect you in the event that a claim exceeds your standard coverage limits. These policies are relatively affordable and can offer significant peace of mind.
What Personal Liability Coverage Does NOT Cover:
- Intentional acts that cause harm or damage
- Business activities conducted from your home (unless you have a specific endorsement)
- Damage to your own property
- Injuries or damage caused by a vehicle you own and operate (covered by auto insurance)
- Claims related to war, nuclear hazards, or certain natural disasters
We’re Here for You
Understanding the full scope of personal liability coverage and its various applications, as well as its limitations, is essential for every homeowner. With the right coverage in place, including potentially an umbrella policy, you can better protect your assets and your peace of mind. At Page Insurance, we’re here to help you navigate the complexities of personal liability coverage and ensure that you have the protection you need.
