Marisa Braun at the WEA benefits site, wrote this article. Pay attention!! You can purchase extra liability coverage for as little as $2.00 a month. Give me a call and we can discuss.

If someone slips and falls on your property and you are found negligent, liability coverage—which is part of the typical home policy—pays the cost of the claim (up to the limits of your policy). Liability covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as legal defense costs should you be sued. Coverage limits start at $100,000, and while that might sound like a lot of coverage, it doesn’t go far when medical expenses are involved or you are being sued. Member Benefits doesn’t offer less than $500,000 of liability coverage for your home, condo, or renters policies because we think it leaves our members at risk.

I’ve had a lot of conversations lately with people who carry the minimum liability coverage. In explaining the coverage, I find many people are not aware of the types of events covered by liability coverage. They’re also not aware that the coverage follows you wherever you go—not just at your residence.

For example, if you hit someone with your cart at the grocery store causing them to fall and break a hip, you could be found liable for their medical expenses. Plus, the individual might lose wages because they miss work. Those costs can easily exceed $100,000. Or maybe you injure a friend with a ball in a casual game of softball or basketball. You could get sued for their medical costs. Friendships can quickly become strained when there are thousands of dollars at stake. Liability insurance is there to protect your assets like your home and future earnings, and quite possibly a friendship.