Regardless of the state you live in, you must have liability auto insurance if you drive. Driving without liability insurance is against the law. There are many other insurance options above and beyond the basic liability policy, but if you're going to drive, you are required to carry a minimum amount of liability protection. Liability auto insurance should cover damage to the other party's vehicle in an accident for which you were at fault, plus any damage to property that was in the vehicle. Liability coverage may also apply to nearby dwellings and other property surrounding the scene of the collision. If you cause an accident, liability coverage helps pay for the other person's expenses. There are two types of auto liability coverage that drivers in each state must have: bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. Auto liability insurance helps cover: Bodily injury. If you're at fault for an accident that injures another person, bodily injury liability coverage helps pay for their medical expenses. Bodily injury coverage is the most important consideration when purchasing a liability policy. If you are responsible for an auto accident that leads to bodily injuries for the other party, it can become an ongoing expense that you will be responsible for. If you cause an accident that hurts someone in another vehicle, bodily injury coverage could help pay for related medical expenses and legal costs. Property damage. If you cause an accident that damages someone else's property (their car, for example), property damage liability coverage helps pay for repairs. Property damage liability coverage is also very important.