In an auto insurance policy, which coverage is often required by law?

In an auto insurance policy, property damage liability coverage is often required by law because it protects others in the event that you cause damage to their property while operating your vehicle. This coverage is designed to pay for the costs associated with repairing or replacing someone else's property that you may have damaged, such as a car, fence, or building.

Most states, including Kansas, have minimum insurance requirements that mandate drivers to carry liability insurance, which includes both bodily injury liability and property damage liability. This ensures that drivers have financial resources to cover damages they might cause to other people's property, thereby promoting responsible driving and providing protection to the public.

Unlike comprehensive and collision coverage, which cover damages to your own vehicle, or personal injury protection, which addresses medical expenses for injuries sustained in an auto accident regardless of fault, property damage liability is specifically focused on the financial responsibility of the driver towards others. This legal requirement also helps in reducing the financial burden on both individuals and society in general when accidents occur.