Updated July 2026
What Is Liability Insurance Insurance?
Liability insurance is the foundation of every auto policy in Utah. It covers the other driver's medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs when you are at fault. Your policy pays up to your selected limits, and you are personally responsible for any amount beyond those limits. If you cause $80,000 in injuries with a $65,000 bodily injury limit, you owe the remaining $15,000 out of pocket.
- You rear-end another car at a red light. The other driver has $18,000 in medical bills and $9,000 in vehicle damage. Your liability coverage pays the full $27,000 because it falls within Utah's minimum limits. If the medical bills had been $30,000, your $25,000 per-person bodily injury limit would pay $25,000, and you would owe the remaining $5,000 personally.
- You cause a three-car pileup. Two people in one vehicle have $22,000 each in medical expenses, and a third person in another vehicle has $28,000. Your $65,000 per-accident bodily injury limit pays the full $72,000 only if you carry higher limits. With Utah's minimum $65,000 limit, the injured parties split that amount proportionally, and you are sued for the $7,000 shortfall.
- You sideswipe a parked car and cause $6,000 in damage. Your $15,000 property damage liability limit covers the full repair cost. If you had sideswiped a luxury vehicle with $22,000 in damage, your policy would pay $15,000 and you would owe the remaining $7,000.
Who Needs Liability Insurance Insurance?
Liability insurance is legally required for every driver in Utah. You must carry at least the state minimum limits to register a vehicle and drive legally. Drivers who own a home, have significant savings, or could not afford a $50,000 lawsuit should carry limits well above the minimum — $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 is a common recommendation.
Start with Utah's minimum limits if cost is the primary constraint. If you own a home, have retirement savings, or earn above median income, increase your bodily injury limits to at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. The cost difference is small compared to the financial protection, and higher limits also increase your uninsured motorist coverage in Utah, which mirrors your liability limits.
How Much Does Liability Insurance Insurance Cost?
Liability-only policies in Utah typically cost $45–$85 per month, or $540–$1,020 annually, for drivers with clean records at state minimum limits. Increasing limits to $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 adds $15–$30 per month.
- Your at-fault accident history — one at-fault accident in the past three years can increase liability premiums by 30–50%.
- Your liability limits — doubling your bodily injury limit from $25,000 to $50,000 per person typically adds $8–$15 per month.
- Your ZIP code — urban areas like Salt Lake City and Provo have higher liability rates due to accident frequency and medical costs.
- Your age and driving experience — drivers under 25 and over 70 pay higher liability premiums due to statistically higher at-fault accident rates.
- Your claims history — filing two or more liability claims in three years can double your premium or result in non-renewal.