Personal liability insurance is a standard homeowners policy coverage. It helps protect you, along with other members of your household, from costs associated with liability claims up to your policy's limit. For example, it may provide financial protection if a visitor gets injured on your property. Read on to learn more about how it could help.

What does personal liability insurance cover?

Personal liability coverage helps protect you and those listed on your homeowners insurance policy. That may include your spouse, dependents and pets. It may help provide financial protection if covered parties are held responsible for the following unexpected events:

• Accidental damages to someone else's property
• Other's injuries, on or off your property

Here are a few examples where personal liability coverage may help.

Injury on your property

A guest leans against a railing you’ve been meaning to repair and falls. If their resulting injuries require hospitalization, your personal liability insurance may help pay for medical bills and other related costs. If they sue for neglect and you’re found liable, this coverage may also help with legal expenses.

Negligent acts of children and others

Your children break your neighbor’s window while playing baseball. Personal liability insurance may help pay for accidental damages if a qualifying household member damages someone else’s property.

Pet-related injuries

Your excited dog accidentally trips a delivery person, knocking them to the ground. While personal liability coverage may help cover damages caused by pets, connect with an agent to check your pet’s eligibility.

What is not covered by personal liability insurance?

Personal liability insurance typically does not cover:

• Car accidents. Learn more about what car insurance covers.
• Damages related to a business you own or operate. Explore our commercial policies.
• Damages to your home. Find out how our homeowners policy helps protect your home.
• Intentional harm caused by you or a family member. Liability insurance is for accidents and unexpected events.

Personal liability coverage limits

Your liability insurance limit is your maximum liability claim payout. Your personal liability coverage will not pay for damages exceeding that limit. While standard liability coverage limits vary between insurers, you may increase them if you have more to protect.

After meeting a minimum personal liability limit, you may add more liability protection with an umbrella policy for greater peace of mind. Umbrella insurance* helps cover qualifying claims exceeding your personal liability limits.

Which insurance policies include personal liability coverage?

Besides homeowners insurance, the following policies include personal liability insurance:

• Condo insurance
• Manufactured home insurance
• Renters insurance

Business and commercial policies, such as farm and ranch insurance, also include liability coverage.

Can I purchase personal liability coverage as a standalone policy?

No. Personal liability coverage is one of several coverages in your standard home policy. Although umbrella insurance* appears to match this description, it still requires a minimum home/renters personal liability policy limit.

Let American Family Insurance help protect your livelihood

Connect with your American Family agent to help you customize your personal liability limits. They can also help you discover coverage gaps and qualifying discounts.

The information on this webpage represents only a brief description of coverages, is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Coverage features and limits vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Discount availability and eligibility vary by state and policy terms. (Discounts apply to auto and property policies.) Please check with your agent and read the policy for exact details on coverages and exclusions.

*Descriptions provided here offer general information regarding umbrella insurance. The full scope of liability umbrella coverage is subject to the umbrella policy provisions. To qualify for personal liability umbrella insurance, you must meet minimum liability limits for all applicable underlying policies, such as auto, home, renters, boat and recreational vehicle.