Choosing the Right Split Auto Liability Limit: A Comprehensive Guide

Steven Conway • September 30, 2024

Choosing the Right Split Auto Liability Limit: A Comprehensive Guide

One important aspect of auto insurance is liability coverage. Liability insurance protects you financially if you're found responsible for an accident by covering the damage to other people's damaged property and injuries. Split liability limits are a type of liability insurance that divides coverage into three components. 

The Split Liability Limit: What Is It?
 

A split liability limit refers to how you divide your auto insurance coverage into three categories. It's typically expressed as three numbers, such as $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 (50/100/25). Each three parts, representing a different maximum payout limit: 

Person-based bodily injury liability
 

Accidental bodily injury liability
 

Per accident, property damage liability
 

 

Here are more details about each limit.
 

1.
Personal Injury Liability 

This part of the split limit which is usually the first number is the dollar limit the insurance carrier will payout to any one individual regardless of the number of people injured. 

A single injured person will receive $50,000 in compensation for his/her medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs from a 50/100/25 split. 

The limit is crucial as any excess amount remaining after the limit has been met you maybe be still  personally liable. 

2.
Liability per accident for bodily injury 

Typically, the second number represents the maximum amount an insurance company will pay for injuries in an accident regardless of how many people were injured. 

 
The "100" indicates your insurance will cover up to $100,000 for all injured parties combined in the 50/100/25 example. You will have to cover the difference out of pocket if claims exceed this amount. 

With the increasing cost of medical care and services having not enough liability coverage could be a financial catastrophe. 

3.
Liability for property damage per accident 

The last number in the split limits represent how much your insurance will cover in total to damaged property(ies) such as the car, a fence, or a building in the event of an incident where you are legally liable regardless of the numbers of items damaged. 

 
The property damage limit of $25,000 is the maximum amount of coverage being provided by your insurance carrier in our example of 50/100/25. For example, if you were held liable for damages to two cars involved in same accident and each car had damage of $15,000, the maximum amount your carrier will pay out is $25,000 and you would still be liable for the remaining $5000. 

Considering the rising cost of new vehicles and materials and labor to repair cars, having adequate property damage coverage is imperative. 

It's Important to Understand Split Limits
 

If you're involved in an at fault accident and having insufficient coverage, may lead to personal financial consequences. You may be held personal liability for excess damages resulting in lawsuits, wage garnishment, or liens against property if the damage exceeds your coverage limits. 

Higher limits are always a good idea, even if they come with a slightly higher premium. An increase in protection is usually worth the additional expense. 

What is the difference between a CSL and a Split Limit?
 

The term split limit refers to the division of coverage into three categories; the term combined single limit (CSL) refers to the one limit that applies to all three categories. The CSL covers bodily injury as well as property damage in the event of an accident. In the case of a $300,000 CSL, the insurance will pay up to that amount for both bodily injury and property damage. Since the entire limit can be used for both injuries and property damage, the CSL offers greater flexibility. 

The Right Coverage for You
 

Liability limits should be based on your individual needs and level of comfort with risk. It's always a good idea to speak with an experienced insurance agent about your options. Higher liability limits may cost more than state minimums, but they offer better financial protection. 

You can make informed decisions about your auto insurance policy by understanding the parts of not only liability limits but all coverage on your auto insurance policy. Talk to a licensed insurance agent to assist you in determining the right coverages for you. 


Please note that the information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Insurance laws and regulations can vary significantly from state to state, and it’s crucial to understand the specific requirements and coverages that apply to your location. We strongly recommend consulting with a licensed insurance agent in your state to discuss your unique needs and ensure you have the appropriate coverage for your circumstances.


Recent posts

By Steven Conway November 7, 2025
I spend my time in Oklahoma restaurants, not just on the phone. I talk with owners, managers, chefs, and bar leads. I’ve seen the back office, the dish pit, the walk-in, the patio heaters, and the POS that freezes at 6 pm. I know what really derails a week. My job is to match insurance to the way you run service, so one bad hour does not wreck your month. Here’s what matters and how it fits together. The Core Coverage You Cannot Skip General Liability Start here. A guest slips on rainwater near the host stand in Midtown. A kid bumps a space heater on the patio in Norman. A to-go order triggers a peanut allergy. General liability covers bodily injury and property damage you are legally responsible for. Most policies also include personal and advertising injury (things like defamation, slander, or copyright). Some carriers exclude or limit this—so confirm it’s included and not excluded on your policy. Important note: When you sell or serve alcohol as a business , standard CGL typically excludes liquor liability. That exposure is handled by a separate Liquor Liability policy . (More on this in Part 2.) Commercial Property Think building (if you own it) and everything inside that makes you money: hood systems, fryers, ovens, walk-ins, lowboys, POS, tables, chairs, bar stock, dish machine, signage, heaters, even that neon sign your photographer loves. This is Oklahoma—hail, wind, freezes, and long hot spells hit equipment hard. Property coverage is your repair/replace budget for major damage when a covered cause of loss strikes. Two details make or break your claim: Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV): Replacement cost pays what it takes to buy new equipment today. ACV deducts depreciation, leaving you short. Confirm which your policy uses. Coinsurance: Many policies include a coinsurance clause. If you insure below true replacement value, claim payments may be reduced proportionally. Confirm your requirement. Don’t forget exterior signs . Freestanding or roof-mounted signs take wind hard in Oklahoma and often need to be scheduled with a real dollar amount. Business Income and Extra Expense Power goes out in Edmond on a Friday. You lose the prime rib for Saturday plus the sales you needed to cover payroll. Business income replaces lost net income and pays unavoidable expenses like rent, payroll, loan payments, and utilities. Extra expense covers costs to reopen faster—temporary refrigeration, a generator, rush parts. Ask for: Utility Service Interruption (off-premises power outage) Civil Authority (your street is blocked after a nearby fire/tornado) Equipment Breakdown Property insurance loves fire/wind/water—but not internal failure. Equipment breakdown covers sudden, accidental mechanical or electrical breakdowns: HVAC boards, compressors, dish machine controls, POS systems. It’s inexpensive and saves more claims than owners expect. Food Spoilage and Contamination Two related but different protections: Spoilage: Pays when food is lost due to outage or equipment failure. Contamination: Pays when health authorities require you to discard product or sanitize. Some carriers add PR/crisis response. Don’t guess your spoilage limit. Walk the cooler, total meats/seafood/dairy/produce/sauces/prep—and add a cushion for holidays or event weekends. Workers’ Compensation If you have employees, Oklahoma law generally requires workers’ comp. It covers medical costs and a portion of lost wages (cuts, burns, slips, strains) and protects you from most employee injury lawsuits. Owners/LLC members/family can often be included or excluded by election—check your filing. Lowering cost long-term: track hood cleanings/grease trap service and slip incidents; enforce non-slip shoes; train new hires on lifting. Carriers reward documentation. Common Mistakes to Avoid Low spoilage limits (don’t insure $2,000 if your walk-in can hold $8,000) No utility service coverage (outages are more common than fires) ACV instead of replacement cost Coinsurance penalties from underinsuring Assuming liquor liability is included (it usually isn’t for alcohol businesses) “Set and forget” workers’ comp payroll estimates (audit pain later) Ready for Part Two This post covers the backbone. In the next post, we’ll dig into liquor liability, hired/non-owned auto, cyber, EPLI, leases, and Oklahoma “gotchas.” Coverage needs and limits vary by operations and contracts. This article is educational only and does not guarantee coverage. Review your policy with a licensed independent agent. For a no-pressure review, call 405.733.2886 , email steven@conwayinsuranceok.com , or visit ConwayInsuranceOK.com .
By Steven Conway June 11, 2025
If you own a business in Oklahoma—whether it's a coffee shop in Norman, a contractor in Moore, or a bakery in Edmond—you’ve probably asked yourself, “How much should I be paying for insurance?” It’s a smart question. Business insurance isn’t just a legal box to check. It’s about protecting your dream, your income, and the people who help make it happen every day. While our focus is on serving Oklahoma businesses, it’s worth noting that Conway Insurance is also licensed in Texas. So if you have operations across state lines or are expanding, we’ve got you covered there too. In this guide, we’ll break down what business insurance really costs, why it varies so much, and how you can keep premiums manageable without leaving yourself exposed. No industry speak. Just straight answers, examples from right here in our state, and a few tips from folks who’ve seen a thing or two. 🧐 The Real-World Cost of Business Insurance in Oklahoma. Let’s start with the numbers. These aren’t just for OKC and Tulsa—we’re talking about the real-world costs faced by business owners from Altus to Miami, from Woodward to Idabel, and everywhere in between. On average, here's what small business owners in Oklahoma are paying each month: - General Liability : $50–$125 - Commercial Property : $75–$250 - Workers’ Compensation (per employee): $90–$300 - Commercial Auto : $100–$175 per vehicle - Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) : $100–$275 💡 Pro Tip: Bundling policies into a BOP can save you up to 25%—and keep the paperwork to a minimum. Last month, we worked with a contractor in Moore who was paying over $6,000 annually through a direct carrier. After reviewing their setup, we bundled their coverage through two A-rated carriers and dropped their premium to $4,700—plus added inland marine coverage they didn’t even know they needed. Their response? “Why didn’t someone show me this sooner?” 🧐 Why Insurance Costs Vary from Business to Business? We get this a lot: “Why is my friend’s insurance cheaper than mine?” And the answer is, it depends. Insurance is priced based on risk—and risk looks different depending on what you do, where you are, and how much coverage you need. Your industry is a major factor. A retail store has fewer hazards than a construction company. Your location matters too. Businesses in hail-prone or high-crime ZIP codes will generally pay more. Then there’s your payroll and revenue. Higher revenue typically means more exposure, and more employees means a bigger workers’ comp bill. Your claims history also plays a role. If you’ve had several recent claims, your rate will reflect that. But if you’ve been claim-free, you may qualify for credits or preferred pricing. 💰 How to Pay Less Without Cutting Coverage? Let’s be honest: Nobody loves paying for insurance. But there are ways to get the coverage you need at a price that doesn’t sting. a. Bundle everything you can. That’s why BOPs exist—to combine liability and property into one, simplified (and discounted) plan. b. Ask about discounts. You’d be surprised how many carriers offer savings for things like monitored alarms, e-signatures, or safety training. c. Control your losses. Prevent claims by maintaining safe workplaces, training staff, and checking equipment regularly. Carriers reward businesses that take risk seriously. d. Review your policy every year. Businesses evolve. So should your coverage. We’ve seen folks still paying premiums based on outdated revenue or property values. e. Work with an independent agent . Captive agents are tied to one brand. We’re not. At Conway Insurance , we look at the whole market to find the best fit you — not just the “in-house” option. 💬 A client in Yukon put it best: “I thought I was covered until y’all pointed out two gaps in my old policy. Now I’ve got better protection and I’m paying less. It was a no-brainer.” 🌪️ Business Insurance Isn’t Just a “Nice to Have”. We live in Tornado Alley. That means storms, hail, wind, and unpredictable weather are just part of life. But there are other risks too— data breaches , customer injuries, and even broken HVAC systems during a heatwave. One uninsured event can wipe out everything you’ve worked for. Good business insurance gives you staying power. Whether you're a bakery in Edmond, a tech startup in OKC, or a landscaping crew in Mustang, the right policy keeps your business running when the unexpected happens. We’re not here to scare you—we’re here to help you sleep better at night. 🗓️ Ready to Talk Through Your Options? We’re Conway Insurance , and we’ve helped thousands of Oklahoma business owners—and many in Texas too—get protected without overpaying. We’ll ask the right questions, explain the fine print, and recommend coverage that makes sense—not just for today, but for where you’re headed. 📞 Call us at 405-733-2886 📅 Or schedule your appointment online Let’s make insurance one less thing you have to stress about. Email us directly at steven@conwayinsuranceok.com if you'd rather reach out by message than schedule a call. ✅ Wrapping It Up. Every business is different. But one thing’s true across the board: the right insurance can make or break your future. Don’t guess. Don’t settle. Let’s find the coverage that fits—without the fluff, the hard sell, or the hidden fees. We’re Conway Insurance —based right here in Oklahoma and proudly licensed to serve Texas too. We’ve got your back.