Auto Insurance Explained: Split Limits vs. Combined Single Limits

When it comes to auto insurance, understanding your liability limits is one of the most important parts of protecting yourself financially. These limits determine how much your insurer will pay if you cause injuries or property damage in an accident.

Here’s a quick breakdown of split limits vs. combined single limits—and how to decide which one fits your situation best.

What are split limits?

If you look at your auto policy, you might see numbers like 50/100/50, 100/300/100, or 250/500/100. These represent your split limits—the maximum amounts your insurer will pay per person, per accident, and for property damage.

For example, with a 100/300/100 policy:

• $100,000 per person injured in an accident.

• $300,000 total for all bodily injuries per accident.

• $100,000 for property damage.

Split limits are the most common type of policy and provide a clear breakdown of how much coverage applies in each situation.

What is a combined single limit (CSL)?

A combined single limit policy combines all liability coverage into one pool—for example, a $500,000 CSL per accident.

That means the same limit applies to both bodily injury and property damage combined. It’s one larger pool of coverage instead of separate caps for each category. Some people prefer CSL for its simplicity and flexibility, while others stay with split limits to maintain defined categories.

Choosing the right liability limits

Your liability coverage should reflect your overall financial exposure — including your income, savings, investments, and property equity. Higher limits help protect your assets from lawsuits or out-of-pocket costs if damages exceed your policy’s limits.

Here’s a general guide:

• State minimums (30/60/15 in California) cover very little — often not even a minor accident.

• Moderate asset households ($25,000–$75,000 income): Aim for at least 100/300 limits.

• Higher-asset households ($75,000+ income or homeownership): Increase to 250/500 or 500/500, and consider an umbrella policy for added protection.

Most umbrella insurers now require 500/500 underlying auto limits (or a $500,000 combined single limit), though some carriers will still accept 250/500 as the minimum.

A good rule of thumb: carry enough liability coverage to protect everything you own — and everything you could lose.

The bottom line

Whether your policy uses split limits or a combined single limit, the goal is the same: making sure your liability protection matches your financial situation.

At Wang Insurance, we can help you review your policy, explain your current limits, and recommend coverage that fits your lifestyle and assets—without overselling or overpaying.

Ready to review your coverage? Reach out to our team.