Combined Single Limit (CSL)

What is a combined single limit in auto insurance?

A combined single limit (CSL) is a single dollar amount of liability coverage that applies to a claim in any combination of bodily injury and property damage. Instead of having separate caps for injuries per person, injuries per accident, and property damage, everything pools into one number. The carrier pays up to the full CSL amount in whatever split the actual loss requires: all bodily injury, all property damage, or any combination in between.

How does a combined single limit compare to split limits?

Split limits are the standard format for personal auto policies, expressed as three numbers such as 100/300/100. That means $100,000 per injured person, $300,000 total bodily injury per accident, and $100,000 for property damage. Those are internal caps. If a crash causes $200,000 in injuries to one person, a split-limit policy at 100/300/100 pays $100,000 because of the per-person cap, even though $200,000 falls under the $300,000 per-accident ceiling. A $300,000 CSL covers the full $200,000 because there are no internal sub-limits pulling the payout down. As explained in our guide to Georgia auto minimum limits, the state minimum for personal auto is expressed as split limits: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.

When is a combined single limit typically used?

CSL is common on commercial auto policies because commercial losses tend to involve more complex and unpredictable distributions between injuries and property damage. For example, a commercial truck accident might cause $350,000 in injuries and $80,000 in cargo damage on the same event. A CSL handles that flexibility cleanly because there are no internal buckets that cap payout in any one direction. Split limits at the same total dollar level would require the loss to fit within three separate sub-limits, which can leave a shortfall if any one sub-limit is exhausted before the full loss is paid.

How does a CSL appear on a declarations page?

On a declarations page, a CSL policy shows one limit number rather than three. The premium reflects the flexibility the structure provides. For personal auto, split limits remain the standard. Some personal umbrella policies and fleet endorsements use CSL language, as do certain specialty and professional vehicle policies. Understanding the difference between a carrier and an agent helps clarify who sets these limit formats and who can explain which options are available.

What does Georgia require for auto liability limits?

Georgia’s minimum liability requirement for personal auto is a floor, not a guide for any individual driver. A serious multi-vehicle accident on I-285 or I-75 can generate damages far exceeding the state minimum before litigation begins. For example, a single emergency room visit for a trauma patient can surpass the $25,000 per-person minimum on its own, leaving the at-fault driver personally responsible for the difference. Whether split limits or a CSL structure provides more usable coverage at a given limit depends on vehicle type, driving exposure, and whether the vehicle carries commercial or personal plates. Additional context is available in our umbrella policy overview. A free coverage review with Olive Insurance Services, LLC can walk through which limit structure fits a specific situation.