Auto liability insurance policies contain three major parts: liability insurance for bodily injury; liability insurance for property damage; and uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage.

Bodily injury liability insurance protects you against the claims of other people who are injured in an accident for which you were at fault. South Carolina requires you to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 for all persons injured in one accident. Claims for bodily injury may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Property damage liability insurance pays for any damage you cause to the property of others. This includes not only damages to other vehicles but also other property, such as walls, fences and equipment. The minimum limit in South Carolina is $25,000 for all property damage in one acciden

Uninsured motorists coverage protects the policy holder directly. This coverage pays if you are injured by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto insurance.

Property damage coverage may include both collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your car as the result of your auto colliding with an object, such as a tree or another car. This coverage is optional and not required by law. However, collision insurance may be required by your lending institution or lessor. In the case of an accident involving an older car, the cost of repairing the car can quickly exceed the worth of the car. In this case, insurers will “total” the car and pay you what the car was worth rather than fixing it.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your auto from almost all other causes, including fire, vandalism, floods, theft, falling objects and collisions with animals. Comprehensive coverage also will cover broken glass, such as windshield damage, and the deductible does not apply in this case. You are not required by law to carry comprehensive coverage.

Understanding Your Insurance Policy