Compare Full Coverage Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2023]
Full coverage car insurance is a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. Although it may be a bit more expensive, and required for drivers with a car loan or lease, discounts for safe driving or insurance bundles can help find the cheapest full coverage auto insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Jun 10, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 10, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Full coverage auto insurance combines liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages
- Car insurance rates for full coverage are the most expensive, but you get more coverage
- Lenders may require drivers with a car loan or lease to carry full coverage
If you’ve heard car insurance companies refer to full coverage, it sounds like it’s just one coverage added to your policy. However, full coverage consists of different coverages that offer the most protection.
Liability car insurance, collision, and comprehensive comprise full coverage car insurance, and each one covers different types of damage.
While full coverage is recommended, some drivers won’t need the added protection. On the other hand, drivers with a car loan or lease may not have a choice in their coverages.
Keep reading to learn what full coverage car insurance covers and how to find cheap full coverage car insurance.
What is full coverage car insurance?
You’ve probably heard someone say they have full coverage car insurance. So, what does full coverage mean?
Full coverage usually refers to a single line item added to your insurance policy. However, full coverage consists of multiple coverages combined to offer a higher level of protection.
Full auto insurance coverage combines liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Let’s walk through each of those to give you an idea of what is covered.
First, most states require drivers to carry liability coverage. Liability includes property damage and bodily injury coverages to others if you cause an accident. However, it doesn’t offer protection for your vehicle.
Collision coverage is another component of full coverage. It pays for vehicle repairs, whether the damage comes from hitting another car or an object such as a tree.
Finally, there is comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive pays for damage unrelated to an accident, such as vandalism, fire, theft, falling debris, and natural events like hail, floods, and tornadoes.
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What does full coverage cover in my state?
Every state has different car insurance requirements. While most require liability coverage, some states also require medical payment, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages.
These additional coverages are put in place to protect drivers. For example, according to the Insurance Information Institute, around 13% of drivers are uninsured. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for car repairs if a driver hits you with little or no insurance coverage.
How much are full coverage car insurance rates?
Better coverage often yields higher rates. So, how much is full coverage insurance?
This table shows average annual rates from top companies based on coverage type. Compare low or liability-only rates with high or full coverage.
Companies | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate for Low Coverage | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate for Medium Coverage | Average Monthly Car Insurance Rate for High Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $385.67 | $408.07 | $428.25 |
American Family | $280.71 | $295.36 | $284.70 |
Farmers | $326.87 | $347.19 | $374.51 |
Geico | $250.16 | $267.83 | $285.76 |
Liberty Mutual | $483.81 | $504.88 | $529.67 |
Nationwide | $282.90 | $287.48 | $292.11 |
Progressive | $311.43 | $334.87 | $362.58 |
State Farm | $254.62 | $272.48 | $287.90 |
Travelers | $351.97 | $371.84 | $384.92 |
Average full coverage car insurance costs are around $30 a month more than liability coverage. However, remember that full coverage also offers much more protection.
Additionally, many factors determine car insurance costs. For example, your age, driving record, credit score, vehicle, and ZIP code all affect how much you pay for car insurance.
Clean up your driving record, improve your credit score, and buy a less expensive car to get cheaper full coverage car insurance rates.
When do you need full coverage insurance?
While full coverage offers the most protection, not every driver needs extra coverage. The best auto insurance coverage for you will depend on many factors, such as your vehicle and where you live.
For example, if your vehicle is older or worth less than $2,000, it may be cheaper for you to save money for repairs instead of paying for extra coverage.
You need full coverage if:
- Your car is new or expensive. Expensive cars are more costly to repair or replace. It may not be possible to cover costs yourself.
- You live in a high-traffic area with vehicle thefts. Add full coverage if you have a higher chance of an accident or having your car stolen.
- You have a car loan or lease. Most lenders require drivers to carry full coverage to protect their investment.
- You live in an area with extreme weather conditions. Comprehensive coverage handles damage caused by weather such as hail, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
- You can’t afford to repair or replace your vehicle. Paying for repairs or a replacement vehicle is very expensive. If you can’t pay out of pocket, have insurance in place to cover the costs.
Keep in mind that you will still have to pay your deductible, even with full coverage insurance. However, paying for repairs yourself will cost you much more.
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How can you save on full coverage car insurance?
Once you determine full coverage is right for you, there are ways to get lower rates. How do I find the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates?
Auto insurance discounts are the most significant way to lower rates. Bundle available savings, such as a good student discount, safe driver discount, and multi-policy discount, to get the lowest rates possible.
This table shows common car insurance discounts from top companies. If available, the savings amount is listed.
Car Insurance Discounts | Allstate (%) | American Family (%) | Farmers (%) | Geico (%) | Liberty Mutual (%) | Nationwide (%) | Progressive (%) | State Farm (%) | Travelers (%) | USAA (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adaptive Cruise Control | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Adaptive Headlights | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Anti-lock Brakes | x | x | x | 5 | 5 | 5 | x | 5 | x | x |
Anti-Theft | x | x | x | 25 | 20 | 25 | x | 15 | x | x |
Claim Free | x | x | x | 26 | x | 10 | x | 15 | 23 | 12 |
Continuous Coverage | x | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 15 | N/A |
Daytime Running Lights | x | x | x | 1 | 5 | 5 | x | N/A | x | x |
Defensive Driver | x | x | x | x | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 3 |
Distant Student | x | x | x | x | N/A | 10 | x | x | 7 | x |
Driver's Ed | x | x | x | x | 10 | N/A | 10 | 15 | 8 | 3 |
Driving Device/App | x | x | N/A | x | 30 | 40 | 20 | 50 | 30 | 5 |
Early Signing | x | x | x | x | N/A | 8 | x | N/A | 10 | 12 |
Electronic Stability Control | x | x | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Emergency Deployment | N/A | N/A | N/A | 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Engaged Couple | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Family Legacy | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | 10 |
Family Plan | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Farm Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fast 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Federal Employee | N/A | N/A | x | 8 | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Forward Collision Warning | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Full Payment | N/A | x | x | x | $5 | N/A | x | N/A | 7.5 | N/A |
Further Education | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 10 | 15 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
Garaging/Storing | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 90 |
Good Credit | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | N/A | N/A |
Good Student | x | x | x | 15 | 22.5 | 10 | x | 25 | 8 | 3 |
Green Vehicle | x | N/A | 5 | N/A | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10 | N/A |
Homeowner | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | 5 | x | 3 | 5 | N/A |
Lane Departure Warning | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Life Insurance | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Low Mileage | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 30 | x | x |
Loyalty | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | N/A | N/A | x |
Married | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | x | N/A | x |
Membership/Group | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 10 | 7 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
Military | x | N/A | x | 15 | 4 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | x |
Military Garaging | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 |
Multiple Drivers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Multiple Policies | 10 | 29 | x | 10 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 13 | x |
Multiple Vehicles | x | x | x | 25 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 8 | x |
New Address | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New Customer/New Plan | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New Graduate | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Newer Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | x | x | 40 | 10 | 12 |
Newly Licensed | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Newlyweds | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Occasional Operator | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x |
Occupation | x | N/A | x | x | 10 | 15 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
On-Time Payments | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 | N/A |
Online Shopper | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paperless Documents | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | 5 | $50 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paperless/Auto Billing | x | x | x | N/A | x | $30 | x | $2 | 3 | 3 |
Passive Restraint | x | x | x | 40 | x | 20 | x | 40 | x | x |
Recent Retirees | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Renter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Roadside Assistance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Safe Driver | N/A | N/A | x | 15 | N/A | 35 | 31 | 15 | 23 | 12 |
Seat Belt Use | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Senior Driver | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x |
Stable Residence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Students & Alumni | N/A | x | N/A | x | 10 | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Switching Provider | N/A | x | x | N/A | 10 | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Utility Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Vehicle Recovery | x | x | x | 15 | 35 | 25 | x | 5 | x | x |
VIN Etching | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | x | x |
Volunteer | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Young Driver | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | $75 |
In addition to discounts, raise your deductible to lower rates. While you will pay more out of pocket for damage, your overall rates will be lower.
Find the lowest full coverage auto insurance rates by comparison shopping. Compare rates and coverages from multiple companies to find the lowest rates available for you.
Full Coverage Car Insurance: What You Need To Know
Full coverage car insurance consists of liability, collision, and comprehensive. While full coverage car insurance rates are higher, damage to others and your vehicle are covered.
Though not required by states, drivers who drive a new car, have a car loan or lease, or can’t pay for repairs themselves should consider full coverage insurance.
Add discounts, raise deductibles, and shop around to find the lowest full coverage rates available. However, personal factors will also determine rates.
Choose full coverage car insurance to protect others and yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is full coverage car insurance?
Full coverage car insurance combines liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages to offer a higher level of protection.
What does full coverage car insurance cover in my state?
Full coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, and depending on the state, may also include medical payment, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages.
How much are full coverage car insurance rates?
Full coverage car insurance rates are typically higher than liability-only rates, with an average increase of around $30 per month.
When do you need full coverage insurance?
Full coverage insurance is recommended for drivers with a new car, a car loan or lease, or those who cannot afford to pay for repairs themselves.
How can you save on full coverage car insurance?
To save on full coverage car insurance, take advantage of available discounts, raise your deductible, and compare rates from multiple companies.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.