Coverage
A specific category of protection your policy provides — like Liability, Collision, or Dwelling.
Coverage is the specific protection a policy provides for a defined type of loss. Most policies include multiple coverages, each with its own limit and sometimes its own deductible. On an auto policy, your "coverages" might include Bodily Injury Liability, Property Damage Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Uninsured Motorist, and Medical Payments. On a home policy: Dwelling (the house structure), Other Structures (detached garage, fence), Personal Property (your stuff), Loss of Use (hotel costs if your house is unlivable), and Personal Liability.
Each coverage has a "limit" — the maximum the carrier will pay. Liability limits are usually written as three numbers like "100/300/100" meaning $100k per person/$300k per accident bodily injury and $100k property damage per accident. Property limits are usually one big number like $400,000 dwelling.
Carriers in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin must offer certain minimum coverages by law (e.g., IL requires 25/50/20 minimum auto liability), but most people should carry significantly more. The minimum exists to keep insurance affordable for low-income drivers — not because it's enough to actually protect you in a serious accident.
Related terms:Liability Coverage·Comprehensive Coverage·Collision Coverage·Umbrella Policy
Related Geneva services:Auto Insurance·Home Insurance·Umbrella