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Full coverage car insurance is a term that refers to a combination of coverage types that can protect your car in most situations. Even though you’ve probably heard of full coverage insurance, there’s no such thing as a “full coverage policy.”
Full coverage car insurance definition
Full coverage insurance typically combines collision and comprehensive insurance, which pay out if your vehicle is damaged, plus liability coverage, which pays for injuries and damage you cause to others.
But this extra protection comes at a cost. Since it covers more situations, full coverage insurance is pricier than liability coverage alone, which only pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. To find cheap full coverage insurance, it’s important to shop around for the best rates.
What does full coverage car insurance cover?
Full coverage insurance provides coverage for most scenarios, including damage to your car from the weather, an at-fault accident, hitting an animal or vandalism. It will even pay out the current value of your car if your vehicle is stolen.
Full coverage auto insurance typically includes the following types of coverage:
Liability Coverage: This covers damages you cause to others in an accident, including bodily injury and property damage.
Collision Coverage: This covers damages to your own vehicle in a collision, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive Coverage: This covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This covers medical expenses and lost wages for you and your passengers in the event of an accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This covers damages and injuries caused by drivers who don’t have enough insurance, or no insurance at all.
It’s important to note that “full coverage” can mean different things to different people and insurance companies. You should always review your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. Additionally, some policies may offer additional options for coverage, such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, which may not be included in a standard “full coverage” policy.
Full coverage insurance vs. minimum rates by company
Full coverage auto insurance typically provides more extensive protection for your vehicle and liability coverage than minimum coverage policies offered by insurance companies. Minimum coverage policies usually only provide the required amount of liability coverage as mandated by state law.
Full coverage insurance policies typically include collision and comprehensive coverage, which can help protect your own vehicle in the event of an accident, theft, or other covered event. Full coverage policies may also include additional benefits such as personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and rental car reimbursement.
On the other hand, minimum coverage policies are often less expensive than full coverage policies, but they provide limited protection. In the event of an accident, you may be responsible for paying for damages to your own vehicle or for medical expenses beyond what your minimum policy covers.
It’s important to remember that the cost of insurance varies depending on the insurer, the level of coverage you choose, your driving record, and other factors. When comparing insurance policies, it’s important to consider the level of protection you need, as well as the cost of the policy. You should also read the policy details carefully to understand the specific benefits and limitations of the coverage being offered.
Who needs full coverage auto insurance
Buying full coverage auto insurance may be a sound investment if:
You have a new or expensive car.
You have an auto loan or lease.
You regularly commute in heavy traffic.
You live in a place with extreme weather, high car theft rates or a high risk of animal collisions.
You can’t afford to repair or replace your car if it’s wrecked or stolen.
Full coverage car insurance isn’t required by law. Many states mandate only a small amount of auto liability insurance. But that won’t cover your injuries or car repairs — only damage or injuries you cause others.
If you have an auto loan or lease, your lender likely requires you to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. The vast majority of companies offer these policies, but some insurers don’t let you purchase one without the other.
For an older vehicle, however, full coverage may not be worth the cost. Comprehensive and collision insurance reimburse you only up to the value of your car at the time it’s damaged or stolen. And they usually have an insurance deductible, an amount you’re expected to pay out of pocket toward repair or replacement. That’s why you should always make sure you can afford to pay the deductible before you make a claim.
For example, let’s say you have a car worth $1,500. You have comprehensive and collision insurance, which costs $600 per year, with a $1,000 deductible.
If you get into a car accident and total your car, you’ll get a $500 check (your car’s value minus your deductible) at most from your insurer. In this case, you’re left with $500, which is $100 less than what you paid for the coverage. Note: Although full coverage doesn’t make sense here, you’ll still need to buy minimum coverage to legally drive.
Not sure if you need full coverage insurance? Checking your car’s current value can help you decide whether full coverage makes sense.
Even with full coverage, there are other policy options you might need. For example, roadside assistance, gap insurance and medical payments insurance all pay for expenses full coverage car insurance won’t. If you’re on the fence, play with the coverage options you see online when shopping for car insurance quotes.
Full coverage auto insurance rates in each state
The cost of full coverage auto insurance varies by state, as well as by factors such as your age, driving record, vehicle make and model, and more. However, here is a list of the average annual cost of full coverage auto insurance by state, according to a 2021 report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC):
Michigan: $2,878
Louisiana: $2,389
Florida: $2,219
Texas: $1,831
California: $1,791
Georgia: $1,732
New York: $1,682
Oklahoma: $1,671
Colorado: $1,616
Rhode Island: $1,602
New Jersey: $1,588
Delaware: $1,547
Kentucky: $1,521
Nevada: $1,517
Arizona: $1,505
Mississippi: $1,493
Connecticut: $1,475
Maryland: $1,463
Tennessee: $1,453
Oregon: $1,440
Pennsylvania: $1,437
Arkansas: $1,428
Alabama: $1,422
Washington: $1,394
Illinois: $1,377
Massachusetts: $1,354
South Carolina: $1,345
Missouri: $1,338
Minnesota: $1,328
Utah: $1,314
West Virginia: $1,296
New Mexico: $1,293
Indiana: $1,269
North Carolina: $1,259
Kansas: $1,234
Virginia: $1,220
Iowa: $1,206
Ohio: $1,203
Idaho: $1,184
Wisconsin: $1,181
Nebraska: $1,155
North Dakota: $1,127
Montana: $1,106
Wyoming: $1,089
Maine: $1,079
South Dakota: $1,068
Vermont: $1,060
New Hampshire: $1,054
Hawaii: $968
Alaska: $932
Keep in mind that these are only average rates, and your actual rate may be higher or lower depending on your individual circumstances. It’s always a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best coverage at the most affordable price.
How to save on full coverage car insurance
Shop around. To find cheap full coverage insurance, it’s important to shop around. Compare rates with at least three companies to find the cheapest rate for you.
Look for discounts. There are car insurance discounts for everything from getting good grades to owning a new car. Call your agent to confirm what’s offered to maximize your savings.
Consider increasing your deductible. One way to lower your car insurance bill is by raising the deductible, or what you pay before insurance kicks in. Doing this will lower the overall cost of your policy, although savings vary by company.
Avoid traffic infractions. Speeding tickets, accidents and DUIs can increase your car insurance rates drastically, even after one incident. These infractions can stay on your record for three to five years, so make sure to drive cautiously if you want the cheapest rates.
Work on your credit. Your credit history can have a big impact on your auto insurance bill. In fact, our rates analysis found having poor credit can increase your rates as much as a DUI for some drivers.
Frequently asked questions
What isn’t included in full coverage?
Despite the name, full coverage insurance doesn’t include everything. Depending on your state minimums, coverage that might not be considered full coverage include:
Gap insurance.
New car replacement.
Roadside assistance.
Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage.
Medical payments coverage.
Personal injury protection.
Is full coverage car insurance worth it?
Policies with full coverage pay out if your car is damaged, while minimum insurance typically only covers damage to another car or person. If you don’t want to be stuck paying for damage to your car, or wouldn’t be able to afford it, you may want to pay for extra coverage. In particular, drivers who live in areas with extreme weather conditions, own an expensive vehicle or have a high-traffic commute might benefit from full coverage insurance. Shop around for car insurance quotes to find the best full coverage insurance for you.
What does full coverage insurance cover?
Full coverage isn’t a specific policy, but generally includes several types of coverage including liability insurance, comprehensive and collision coverage and any other coverage needed to meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
When can you drop full coverage insurance?
If you have an older car, and it isn’t worth much more than your deductible, consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage. But remember, if you have a car loan or lease, your contract may require you to have full coverage insurance.
