Insurance News

Supplemental Spousal Liability Coverage (SSL)

This is an optional coverage which must be offered by the insurance companies but is not included on your policy unless you specifically request and pay for it. Supplemental spousal liability insurance provides bodily injury liability coverage under a motor vehicle insurance policy to cover the liability of an insured spouse because of the death of or injury to his or her spouse, even where the injured spouse must prove the culpable conduct of the insured spouse. This coverage is included within the policy's bodily injury liability limits and does not increase the amount of those limits.  For example: Insured's bodily injury policy coverage limit:   $100,000/$300,000; Insured's bodily injury damage claim paid to spouse: $75,000; Insured's bodily injury policy coverage limit available to all other claimants subject to a maximum of $100,00 per person: $225,000. This example assumes the spouse and other claimants involved in the accident have a right to sue the insured for economic loss or for non-economic loss (i.e., pain and suffering) sustained as a result of a "serious injury" as defined in Section 5102 (d) of the Insurance Law.  It must also have been shown that there was negligence on the part of the insured. The additional premium for SSL coverage is 5% of the liability premium per vehicle.  If you do not elect to purchase this coverage and do not remit the additional premium, SSL coverage is not included in your motor vehicle insurance policy.