What does liability insurance indemnify the insured for?

Liability insurance is designed to protect the insured from financial losses arising from claims made by third parties. Specifically, it indemnifies the insured for the sums they may be required by law to pay in damages for bodily injury or property damage caused to others. This means that if the insured is found legally responsible for such damages, the liability insurance will cover the costs, helping to alleviate the financial burden.

The focus of liability insurance is on the protection it affords regarding legal obligations to pay for damages inflicted on others, rather than on losses related to personal property, legal fees unrelated to a claim, or emotional distress that does not result in a judicial finding against the insured. Hence, indemnifying against payments to third parties for damages is at the very core of what liability insurance is intended to cover.