2025 Combined Single Limits Insurance Explained: Coverage, Costs & Benefits

Julia Kagan is a financial and consumer journalist, formerly senior editor for personal finance at Investopedia.

What Are Combined Single Limits in Insurance?

Combined single limits (CSL) refer to an insurance policy feature that sets one total maximum amount of coverage for all aspects of a claim, including bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage. Instead of separating coverage into different categories, a CSL policy pools the total coverage into a single dollar amount applicable to any combination of damages arising from an incident.

For example, if your policy has a $300,000 combined single limit, that amount is the maximum payout for all injuries and property damage resulting from a single accident, regardless of how many people are involved or how the damages are divided.

How Does Combined Single Limit Insurance Work?

Commonly used in auto insurance, CSL policies provide flexibility by allowing the insurer to allocate funds where they’re most needed. Whether multiple people are injured or there is significant property damage, the total payout will not exceed the single limit specified in the policy. This can be especially beneficial when injuries are minor but property damage is extensive, or vice versa.

Combined Single Limits vs. Split Limits

Unlike CSL, split limit policies specify different maximum payouts for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage separately. For example, a split limit policy might offer $100,000 per person for bodily injury, $300,000 total per accident, and $50,000 for property damage.

In contrast, a CSL policy combines these into one total limit. If a single claimant seeks $250,000 for injuries, a CSL policy with a $300,000 limit covers the full amount, whereas a split limit policy with a $100,000 per person cap would only cover $100,000.

Advantages of Combined Single Limits

• Flexible Coverage Allocation: Funds can be distributed according to the needs of the claim, providing comprehensive protection.
• Better Asset Protection: Ideal for individuals with significant assets, ensuring sufficient coverage without worrying about category limits.
• Simplified Claims Process: One limit reduces the complexity of dividing payouts between bodily injury and property damage.

Disadvantages of Combined Single Limits

• Higher Premiums: CSL policies typically cost more than split limit policies due to broader coverage.
• Potentially Longer Claim Resolutions: Insurers may wait to receive all claims before settling, which can delay payouts.

Is a Combined Single Limit Policy Right for You?

If you have considerable assets or want the flexibility to cover various claim components without separate limits, a CSL policy may be worth the extra cost. However, if you have limited assets and want to save on premiums, a split limit policy might be sufficient.

Summary

A combined single limit insurance policy offers a unified maximum coverage amount for all bodily injury and property damage claims arising from a single incident. This contrasts with split limit policies, which allocate specific limits to different damage categories. While CSL policies provide more flexible and comprehensive protection, they come with higher premiums. Choosing the right option depends on your financial situation and coverage needs.

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