Full coverage car insurance

You’ll come across the term full coverage when comparing car insurance, although it refers to several types of coverage put together. However, not every policy labeled as full coverage has the same protection, and you still might need other coverage add-ons for the best coverage for you.

What is full coverage car insurance?

Full coverage refers to a car insurance policy that includes liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. By bundling these types of coverage, your policy provides one of the widest forms of protection in case of an accident. The term full coverage technically isn’t a type of coverage or insurance in itself.

However, some car insurance companies interpret full coverage differently. To avoid overpaying for insurance you don’t need, ask for a policy breakdown to understand what you’re paying for.

What does full coverage car insurance include?

Full coverage typically refers to these three types of coverage:

1. Liability insurance is the legally required minimum car insurance in most states. It covers injuries and damage you cause to other people and their property in an accident. It’s also called bodily injury and property damage liability.
2. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your car if you collide with another car or object, like a tree or telephone pole. It covers you regardless of who’s at fault.
3. Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your car if it’s stolen or damaged by an incident beyond your control, like vandalism, flooding, a falling object or an animal.

Cheapest full coverage car insurance

You might be surprised to find that local insurers can offer the cheapest rates. Get multiple quotes to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your needs. The cheapest companies, based on our independent research.

• How we got these rates

  We pulled average rates using this driver profile:

  • San Diego, Pacific Beach area
  • Single driver, age 29
  • 10,000 miles driven annually
  • Honda Accord
  • $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury per person/per accident
  • $50,000 property damage
  • $5,000 medical payments
  • $30,000/$60,000 underinsured motorist
  • $250 comprehensive deductible
  • $500 collision deductible

How much is full coverage car insurance?

Full coverage car insurance typically costs $1,430 on average per year, but you often can find a cheaper full coverage policy by shopping around and qualifying for discounts. Expect to pay around $130 each year for comprehensive and $300 per year for collision coverage, plus $1,000 a year for liability coverage. For context, a liability-only policy might only cost $500 to $1,000 a year.

Full coverage vs. liability-only car insurance

Because full coverage combines liability with comprehensive and collision coverage, it lands on the pricey side of car insurance premiums. Price hikes for full coverage are steep in states with risky driving conditions, heavy traffic or lots of cars on the road. Compare average rates in the most popular states.

What’s not included in full coverage?

Full coverage doesn’t include these types of coverage that you may or may not consider important:

• Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP). Covers post-accident medical expenses for you and your passengers. PIP is required in some states, but medical coverage can either supplement your health insurance by paying your deductible or by paying bills that your health insurance doesn’t cover, like your deductible or co-pays.
• Underinsured motorist. Kicks in to help pay for the bills if you’re in an accident with someone who has little to no insurance. Required in a few states.
• Roadside assistance. Provides towing, labor and other roadside emergency help after an accident or collision.
• Customized parts and equipment. Have you updated your car with a top-of-the-line sound system or special rims? Full coverage insurance won’t replace or repair those features after an accident, but this policy add-on will.
• Rental car. Reimburses you for rental car costs after an accident.
• Gap insurance. If you finance your car, this helps pay off your auto loan if your car is totaled.

How to decide if full coverage is right for you

If you own an old car and you can deal with a stolen, damaged or totaled car out of pocket, you might get by with less car insurance coverage like liability only. The same goes if you don’t drive much or live in an area where theft and vandalism are rare.

On the other hand, if you own a new or expensive car, you might want full coverage to protect your investment. The question is all about how much risk you’re willing to take. Say you buy a $20,000 car in cash. Even if you have the cash to replace it, lowering your car insurance coverage is a risky move when full coverage costs a few hundred dollars a year.

You want to find the sweet spot between the coverage you need and what you can afford to pay in the worst-case scenario.

Who needs full coverage

You might invest in full coverage car insurance if these situations apply to you:

• You drive a car with a lease or loan.
• You drive a luxury, classic or expensive car.
• You own a car with a high theft rate.
• You live in a place known for theft, vandalism or extreme weather.
• You commute long distances or in heavy traffic.
• You can afford the extra coverage.
• You want extra peace of mind about your car’s protection.

Who should avoid full coverage

It depends on how much risk you’re willing to take on. While full coverage insurance is expensive, it offers extensive protection. But it may not make sense to buy full coverage if:

• Your car’s value doesn’t outweigh the cost of coverage.
• You own your car in full and aren’t required to carry the extra coverage.
• Your savings could cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car.
• You don’t drive often.
• You’re on a tight budget.

Do I need full coverage insurance for a financed car?

Yes, your lender will require you to maintain full coverage insurance if you’re still paying off the loan. This well-rounded insurance policy covers the investment your lender or bank has made in your car.

After you’ve paid off your loan, you own the car outright and can choose to drop collision or comprehensive coverage. You’ll still need your state’s minimum required insurance.

Do I need full coverage on a used car?

It depends on the value of the car and your own finances. For example, if you bought a $1,000 car for local store runs, you might not want full coverage since the extra coverage plus your deductible probably costs more than the car is worth.

However, if you buy any car that you can’t afford to replace out of pocket, consider full coverage to foot the bill if your car gets totaled.

How to find cheap full coverage car insurance quotes

When comparing quotes for full coverage auto insurance, make sure you’re asking for the same coverage levels across all your quotes. This helps you compare apples to apples, finding the policy with the best benefits and price.

Be prepared for quotes with this info handy:

• Coverage amounts and deductibles
• Add-ons and extras you want
• Driving history and personal information

Bottom line

For car insurance shoppers, full coverage is a term that may cause confusion. What it encompasses varies by insurer, but typically it refers to policies that include liability, collision and comprehensive protection.

To figure out if full coverage is for you, consider your budget, car and driving style. It suits some people, but it’s not worth the cost for others.

Shop around and compare car insurance quotes to find the best coverage for you.

Common questions about full coverage car insurance

• How do deductibles work with full coverage?

  When you have full coverage on your car, your liability coverage won’t come with a deductible. However, your comprehensive and collision will come with deductibles that you set before purchasing the policy.

  Common deductibles include $250, $500 or $1,000, and this is the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in for an accident.

• What happens if I drop full coverage insurance while I’m still paying off a loan?

  You could be in direct violation of your lender’s finance or leasing contract, which might jeopardize your loan.

  The lender is free to put single-interest coverage on the car and add that cost to your loan. That type of coverage is expensive and covers only the lender, not you.

Written by

Katia Iervasi

Writer

Katia Iervasi is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in insurance. Her writing and analysis on life, disability and health insurance has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. She holds a BA in communication from Australia's Griffith University. See full bio