LIMA, Ohio – November 14, 2026 -- If a serious crash costs more than your liability limit, you may owe the difference yourself. A HelloNation article featuring Corey Frazer, an insurance expert in Lima, Ohio, explains how much auto insurance coverage a driver needs and why state minimums are a legal baseline, not a measure of financial risk.
Liability limits decide who pays when an at-fault crash outgrows the policy
Every state sets its own requirements, and some allow alternatives to traditional insurance. Liability cover has two parts. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries to others. Property damage liability helps pay for their vehicle or other property.
Medical bills, lost income and repairs can exceed a minimum policy, according to the article. It says drivers should test their limits against those potential costs instead of picking the lowest premium.
Collision and comprehensive cover depend on the car's value. Collision helps pay for damage to your own vehicle after a crash. Comprehensive applies to theft, vandalism, hail and storm damage. For an older car with a low market value, the article says the cost of both can outweigh the benefit. It suggests comparing the car's current value with annual premiums and the deductible. Financed or leased cars may carry insurance requirements set by the lender or leasing company.
Deductibles pull in opposite directions. A higher deductible can lower the premium but raises what you pay after a covered claim. A lower one does the reverse.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may help when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. Some states require it. Others make it optional. The article gives no dollar figures for suggested limits, deductibles or premiums.
It recommends a coverage review after buying a vehicle, adding a household driver, paying off an auto loan, or a change in income or financial responsibilities.