How to find full coverage car insurance

If you’re in the market for car insurance, you’ve probably heard the term “full coverage.” While this isn't officially an insurance industry-approved term, most insurance agents use "full coverage" to refer to collision and comprehensive coverages. These insurance options, when paired with state-mandated liability coverage, comprise “full coverage.”

An upgrade to "full coverage" — with $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles — can double your monthly premium. On average in the US, upgrading from a liability-only policy to a full coverage policy increased the premium $414 or 115%. 

With that in mind, let’s outline some ways to find cheap full coverage car insurance. 

Full coverage car insurance — table of contents:

1. Cheap full coverage insurance
2. How much does full coverage cost?
3. When is full coverage necessary?
4. Full coverage vs. state minimum liability coverage
5. FAQs
6. Additional resources

How much does full coverage car insurance cost?

In order to estimate the cost of full coverage auto insurance, we created a sample user profile and gathered car insurance rates from every zip code in the US. We used two coverage levels — liability-only coverage (50/100/50 coverage limits) and full coverage (50/100/50 liability limits with $500 deductibles). The average rate for the top insurance companies in the US is $752 for a 6-month policy — or $125 per month.

On average, the increase from adding full coverage is $410 — with the biggest insurance company increase being Allstate. As you can see with the data above, the best option for cheap car insurance is USAA followed by GEICO.

Bear in mind, this data is based on a general profile: a single, 30-year-old man, driving a 2016 Honda Civic. If you want rates based on your driving profile, enter your ZIP code below. Unlike other car insurance quotes shopping sites, we do not collect your phone number — so we won't bother you with unwanted calls. 

What is full coverage insurance?

"Full coverage” is comprised of comprehensive and collision coverage. Unlike liability coverage, these coverages add physical protection to your vehicle. Here’s what is covered by full coverage auto insurance:

• Collision coverage: protects your vehicle if you collide with another object
• Comprehensive insurance: protects your vehicle from non-driving related incidents.
   

Collision coverage basics

Collision coverage provides insurance against damages sustained by a vehicle in a collision. Below are common scenarios in which collision claims are filed:

• Rear-ending someone
• Running into a fixed, inanimate object
• Damage to your car via a hit and run

*If you have uninsured property damage coverage on your policy, you can use this coverage rather than collision. We recommend you carry underinsured and uninsured motorist protection.

Collision coverage includes a deductible — the amount owed by the insured. The remaining balance of the claim is covered by the insurance company. The amount of the deductible is variable, with most falling between $500 and $1,000.

As far as collision coverage is concerned, coverage will apply regardless of fault. Most collision claims are seen as an at-fault accident. This is why using your collision coverage will cause your premium to increase. Because insurance companies consider collision claims and at-fault accidents as very similar events, they tend to raise drivers' premiums after a collision claim of any kind. This rate penalty can last as long as three years.

Comprehensive insurance basics

Another facet of full coverage car insurance is comprehensive. Comprehensive coverage, sometimes known as “other than collision” (OTC), covers non-collision related claims. The list of qualifying circumstances is lengthy. Comprehensive coverage covers damages resulting from:

• Theft/vandalism
• Weather
• Collision with — or damage caused by — an animal

Deductibles also apply to comprehensive coverage. However, because many auto insurance companies don't see comprehensive claims as the result of driver error, rates typically don't undergo a hike after a comprehensive claim.

What isn’t covered by full coverage insurance

Insurance agents commonly refer to the combination of collision, comprehensive, and liability coverages as “full coverage." If you’re looking for additional coverage, you might be left empty-handed. Here are events not typically covered by full coverage auto insurance:

• Liability — bodily injury or property damage
• Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage
• Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) 
• Roadside assistance and towing
• Rental car reimbursement
• Gap insurance
• Custom coverage for parts

In order to have gap coverage, you need to have collision and comprehensive. Gap coverage could be a part of your lease agreement if you’re leasing a vehicle. Make sure your insurance covers this.

Do I need full coverage car insurance?

You need full coverage for the following reasons:

• If you are leasing or financing your vehicle
• If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000
• If you plan on reselling your vehicle

Full coverage for a leased or financed vehicle

You need full coverage if you have a loaned or leased vehicle. With a lease, you do not own the vehicle and don't have the option of forgoing full protection. If you have a loan on a vehicle, you must ensure it’s protected to the lender's specifications.

Full coverage for a vehicle worth more than $4,000

If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000, most insurance experts advise it is financially worth it to pay for full coverage. You can determine the value of your vehicle by using Kelley BlueBook.

Full coverage if I want to resell my vehicle

If you plan on reselling your vehicle in the future, make sure you have full coverage. If your vehicle were to be totaled — either by a car accident or weather conditions — you would have no insurance options for investment.

Consider if you have drivers included on your insurance policy that might be considered more likely to damage the vehicle. Although age does not always equate to driving skill, young drivers can sometimes necessitate the addition of collision coverage. Because of young drivers' propensity for risky driving, car insurance companies charge them nearly twice as much as the average client.

Long story short, full-coverage protection is intended to protect your car. If your vehicle isn’t worth that much, you might be wasting your money.

Full coverage vs. state-minimum insurance — which is better?

Full coverage offers more coverage — but it costs more. If you don't need comprehensive coverage, it might be worth considering basic state-minimum liability coverage. Let's dig into the differences.

For leased and financed vehicles: full coverage is required

You will be required to carry “full coverage” car insurance if you’re financing your vehicle. Since another entity — usually a bank or auto dealership — maintains an interest in the vehicle, they get to decide how the car is insured. Auto leasing and financing companies generally require collision and comprehensive coverage with low deductibles.

If you lease your car, you don't own the vehicle outright and you will be required to carry additional coverage to protect the asset. This often includes collision, comprehensive, and gap insurance.

For owned vehicles: full coverage is optional

If you own your vehicle, you have complete control over your insurance. If you’re unsure of what coverage to select, consider your vehicle's value. Use an estimator like the Kelley Blue Book to assess the value of your vehicle and determine how much coverage you need.

If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000, collision and comprehensive coverage are recommended. Without these coverages, you would not receive compensation if your vehicle was severely damaged or totaled.

Cost comparison: full coverage car insurance vs. state minimum auto insurance

If you opt to boost your coverage from the minimum amount to add comprehensive and collision, expect to pay over double what you were paying for just the state-required minimum amount of liability.

This disparity in pricing is less apparent if you already carry comp and collision coverage. Whether you have a $500 or $1000 deductible, the difference in premium between coverage levels maxes out at about 29%.

Insurance company comparison — full coverage vs. state minimum liability insurance

If you're looking to save the most on full coverage, USAA was the cheapest insurance company for our sample driver, with Liberty Mutual second. For state minimum liability coverage, consider State Farm and USAA. These values are estimates. Your location, vehicle, age, and driving history will impact your premium. 

RATES BY INSURANCE COMPANY — FULL COVERAGE VS. STATE MINIMUM COVERAGE

State minimum vs. full coverage: state-by-state cost analysis

Each state has its own liability laws. Below are average six-month premiums for each state's minimum liability limit versus a "full coverage" policy. In this instance, full coverage refers to 50/100/50 liability limits and comprehensive and collision deductibles at $500 each — a fairly typical coverage level in the U.S. 

RATES BY STATE — FULL COVERAGE VS. STATE MINIMUM COVERAGE

Full coverage insurance FAQs

What is full coverage insurance?

Full coverage usually refers to the combination of collision and comprehensive coverage, both of which protect your vehicle from physical damage. Collision covers your car in the event you collide with another object or vehicle, while comprehensive basically takes care of damage other than collisions, such as a hailstorm.

How much does full coverage insurance cost?

Among major carriers, the average cost for a six-month full coverage policy is $752, which equals about $125 per month. However, the cost of your insurance depends on a number of factors, including your driving history, age, credit score, and address.

Who has the cheapest full coverage car insurance?

Among major U.S. car insurance companies, the cheapest average rates for “full coverage” come from USAA ($546), GEICO ($602), and State Farm ($647).

Do I need full coverage?

Full coverage might be required if you are financing your vehicle. It is also a good idea to have if your vehicle is worth a significant amount of money, usually any amount over $4,000. Furthermore, if you plan on reselling your vehicle, you will want it to be in good shape. As such, full coverage is a good way to keep your vehicle protected.

Additional resources

If you’re looking for more information on car insurance and related topics, see our articles:

• Best cheap auto insurance
• What are underinsured motorist coverage and uninsured motorist coverage?
• The complete guide to comprehensive coverage
• The complete guide to collision coverage
• The complete guide to liability insurance
• What is personal injury protection and do you need it?