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Combined single limit vs split limits

How a combined single limit differs from split liability limits like 100/300/100, with side-by-side examples and the states that accept a single limit.

4AutoInsurance · Published October 4, 2026

A combined single limit (CSL) is one dollar amount that covers all bodily injury and property damage from an accident, such as $300,000 per accident. Split limits divide that protection into three separate caps, such as 100/300/100: $100,000 per injured person, $300,000 for all injuries and $100,000 for property damage. A CSL is more flexible because the whole amount can go wherever the damage is, but it usually costs more than split limits with the same headline number.

How each structure works

Split limits are what most personal auto policies use. The three numbers are separate buckets, and money left in one cannot be moved to another. If you need the details, what 25/50/25 means: split liability limits explained walks through the notation.

A combined single limit is a single bucket for the whole accident. Whether the claims are one badly injured person, five moderately injured people, a destroyed delivery van or some mix, the insurer pays until the single limit is used up. Your declarations page will show something like "Liability: $300,000 each accident (CSL)" instead of three numbers.

Side by side: three hypothetical accidents

Compare a $300,000 CSL with split limits of 100/300/100. In each case you are fully at fault, and the figures are invented for illustration.

Scenario Damages Paid under 100/300/100 Paid under $300,000 CSL
One driver seriously injured, car totaled $220,000 injury + $30,000 car $100,000 + $30,000 = $130,000 ($120,000 uncovered) $250,000 (all covered)
Three people injured, minor car damage $90,000 + $80,000 + $60,000 injuries + $15,000 car $230,000 + $15,000 = $245,000 (all covered) $245,000 (all covered)
Crash into a building and two cars $20,000 injury + $160,000 property $20,000 + $100,000 = $120,000 ($60,000 uncovered) $180,000 (all covered)

The CSL does better when one person is badly hurt or when property damage is large. Split limits with a high per-accident figure can do as well when damages are spread across several people. A CSL never pays more in total than its single number, though, so a $300,000 CSL gives less room than 250/500/100 when several people are seriously injured.

States that accept a single limit as the minimum

Most states write their minimum as split limits, but some let a combined single limit satisfy the law. Examples, verified against state sources in October 2026:

Rules in other states differ; see minimum car insurance requirements by state for every state's minimum.

Where you will see CSL

  • Commercial auto policies commonly use a combined single limit, such as $1 million per accident.
  • High-net-worth personal policies often offer CSL options at higher amounts, such as $500,000 or $1 million per accident.
  • Umbrella requirements are sometimes stated as either split limits or a CSL, such as "250/500/100 or $500,000 CSL." Make sure your auto policy matches whichever form your umbrella insurer requires. See umbrella insurance: liability protection above your auto policy.
  • Rental and rideshare coverage documents frequently quote a single per-accident figure.

Not every insurer offers a CSL on a standard personal auto policy, and availability varies by state.

Uninsured motorist coverage and other limits

Your liability structure often carries over to other parts of the policy. If you buy liability as a CSL, your insurer may offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as a single limit too, for example $300,000 per accident rather than 100/300. That matters because UM/UIM pays you and your passengers when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. A single limit lets one seriously injured family member draw on the full amount instead of a per-person cap.

Medical payments and PIP are separate. They have their own per-person limits and are not part of either a CSL or split liability limits.

Common misunderstandings

  • "A $100,000 CSL is the same as 100/300/100." It is not. The CSL caps the whole accident at $100,000, injuries and property combined, so it gives less protection in any crash with several injured people or significant property damage.
  • "Split limits mean I can only be sued for those amounts." Limits cap what the insurer pays, not what you can owe. The same is true of a CSL.
  • "Property damage is unlimited under a CSL." It is limited by the same single number; a large property claim reduces what is left for injuries in the same accident.
  • "My umbrella will cover any shortfall." Only if your auto policy meets the umbrella's required underlying limits, in whichever form the umbrella states them.

Choosing between them

Ask these questions:

  1. What does each option cost? Get both quotes from the same insurer with identical deductibles and other coverages. A CSL usually costs more than split limits with the same per-accident number, because it can pay out more in the most expensive single-victim scenarios.
  2. What is your biggest risk? If you drive a large vehicle, carry passengers or worry about one catastrophic injury claim, the CSL's flexibility has real value.
  3. Do you have an umbrella or plan to buy one? If so, the umbrella fills gaps above your auto limits, and the structure matters less as long as you meet the umbrella's underlying requirement.
  4. Are you comparing equal amounts? A $300,000 CSL and 100/300/100 have the same per-accident total for injuries, but they are not equal protection. Compare like with like using the liability limits decoder.

For help choosing an overall level of protection, see how much liability coverage do you need?.

Key takeaways

  • A combined single limit is one pool for all injuries and property damage in an accident; split limits are three separate caps.
  • A CSL protects better when one person is badly hurt or property damage is large, and usually costs more.
  • Utah, Maine, Rhode Island and Kentucky are among the states that let a single limit satisfy the minimum.
  • Commercial, high-net-worth and umbrella policies often use CSL language, so match your auto policy to your umbrella's requirement.

Terms used in this guide

Combined single limit One liability limit covering all bodily injury and property damage from a crash, instead of separate per-person, per-accident and property caps. Liability limits The most a liability policy will pay for injuries and property damage you cause, usually written as three numbers such as 100/300/100. Bodily injury liability The part of auto liability insurance that pays for injuries or deaths you cause to other people in a crash, plus your legal defense. Property damage liability The part of liability coverage that pays for damage you cause to other people's cars and property, such as fences, buildings and poles. Umbrella policy Extra liability insurance, usually sold in amounts of $1 million or more, that pays after your auto or home liability limits run out.

Related states

Utah Utah is a no-fault state. Since January 1, 2025, policies need 30/65/25 liability (or a $90,000 combined limit) plus $3,000 in personal injury protection. Maine Maine requires 50/100/25 liability, 50/100 uninsured motorist, $2,000 medical payments and $500 towing coverage. It is an at-fault state. Rhode Island Rhode Island is an at-fault state requiring 25/50/25 liability or a $75,000 single limit. UM coverage is included unless waived on a minimum policy. Kentucky Kentucky is a choice no-fault state requiring 25/50/25 liability and $10,000 PIP. You can keep full lawsuit rights by filing a written rejection.

Related tools

Liability limits decoder Type limits like 50/100/25 to see what each number means and test them against a crash you cause — including how much would be left for you to pay. How much car insurance do I need? A starting point for your limits and options, from liability to gap and rental, built from common rules of thumb and your state's minimums.

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