Personal liability on a home policy, guests, injuries and the dog

The liability part of a home or renters policy protects you when someone else gets hurt or their property is damaged. It holds two coverages that work differently: personal liability and medical payments to others. Both limits are on the declarations page. The policy lists who it covers.

Personal liability

Personal liability pays the damages you're legally responsible for when you injure someone or damage their property, up to the limit.

Medical payments to others

Medical payments pays the medical bills of people hurt on your property. On the property, it covers people who are there with your permission. It doesn't pay for you or the people who live with you.

Away from home

Medical payments can also pay for some injuries away from home, such as your dog biting someone at the park. Whether your policy covers your dog, and for how much, depends on the policy, so ask your agent.

Short-term rentals

A standard home policy doesn't cover business activity in the home. Ask your insurer how yours treats a home rented to guests.

Beyond the limits

An umbrella liability policy adds coverage on top of these limits. Umbrella insurance in plain terms explains how one works.

An annotated example

What to do next

Find the personal liability and medical payments limits on your declarations page. If you have a dog, ask your agent how the policy treats it. Write both limits down with the policy number, keep the note with the house records, and read them again at renewal.