noun · also: CSL
combined single limit
In plain English
One single liability limit that covers bodily injury and property damage together, instead of separate per-person and per-accident sublimits.
A $1M CSL gives you $1M to spend per accident, however the loss breaks down — could be $900K BI + $100K PD, or any other split. Split limits ($250K/$500K/$100K) cap each piece separately.
What it covers
A single limit applying jointly to bodily injury and property damage from one accident, available to all claimants combined.
What it does not cover
It is NOT a per-claimant limit. The whole CSL is shared across everyone hurt in the accident. With multiple severe injuries, even a $1M CSL can be exhausted quickly.
Where it trips people up
Personal auto policies still default to split limits in most states (e.g., 100/300/100). On a fleet, CSL is almost always the better structure because it lets the limit flow where the dollars are needed.
The technical version
An insurance limit applying jointly to multiple types of damages (typically bodily injury and property damage) under a single per-occurrence cap, rather than separate sublimits for each.