Most people assume their homeowners insurance has them covered for liability. If someone slips on the driveway, breaks a bone, and sues? That’s typically included under standard liability coverage.
But what if you’re sued for something you said rather than something that happened on your property? That’s where Personal Injury Liability coverage steps in—and it’s not automatically included in every policy.
So what is “personal injury” in insurance terms?
In the insurance world, “personal injury” doesn’t mean physical harm. It means legal harm—typically tied to things like:
Libel (written defamation)
Slander (spoken defamation)
Wrongful eviction or entry
False arrest or imprisonment
Invasion of privacy
These may sound extreme, but claims can come from everyday situations: a heated social media post, a neighborhood dispute, a bad review online, or even an offhand comment that someone finds damaging. If you’re sued over something like this and don’t have personal injury liability coverage, you could be stuck paying legal fees—and any resulting damages—out of pocket.
What does personal injury coverage do?
If included or endorsed on your homeowners policy, personal injury liability coverage can help pay for:
Legal defense costs (even if the claim is groundless)
Settlements or court judgments
Other related expenses
It can protect you against financially devastating lawsuits, particularly in today’s digital age where a post, tweet, or review can go viral—and backfire.
Is it included automatically?
Not always. Some homeowners policies include personal injury coverage, but others require you to add it as an endorsement. And not every insurance company offers it.
If you’re not sure if you have it, now’s the time to check.
One post, one comment, one misunderstanding—sometimes that’s all it takes to spark a lawsuit. Let’s make sure your policy is keeping up with the times. If you don’t already have personal injury liability coverage, we can help you explore whether it’s right for your situation.
