+120 more)
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's been writing for Compare.com since 2023 and has also appeared on various business and finance sites, including LendingTree, Chime, Insurify, Forbes, and WSJ. She’s passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers.
)
)
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Full-coverage car insurance protects you, your passengers, and your vehicle, not just other drivers on the road. It typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, providing you with broader protection overall.
While “full-coverage” isn’t an official policy type, it’s a common way to describe a policy with these combined protections. On average, full-coverage car insurance costs about $175 per month, compared to around $101 for a basic liability policy, according to Compare.com data.
Below, we explain what full-coverage car insurance means so you can choose the right level of coverage and the best auto insurance company for your needs.
Full coverage includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage and may also include protections like uninsured/underinsured motorist or medical payments, depending on your state.
On average, full coverage costs $175 per month, and COUNTRY Financial typically offers the cheapest full-coverage rates.
Deductibles affect your premiums — a higher deductible lowers your premium, but you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Full-coverage car insurance includes several different types of coverage, each serving a distinct purpose. The table below explains some of the more common coverages included in a full-coverage policy. Keep in mind that your policy may differ depending on the insurance laws in your state.
Coverage Type | What It Pays For |
|---|---|
| Liability | Damage to other vehicles or property and injury to other people in accidents you cause |
| Collision | Damage to your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident |
| Comprehensive | Damage to your vehicle after events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or bad weather |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) | Your expenses if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance or has insurance with insufficient limits |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Your and your passengers’ medical expenses and sometimes lost wages, regardless of who’s at fault in an accident |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Medical expenses for you and your passengers in the event of an accident |
Liability insurance is a blanket term for bodily injury liability and property damage liability. This covers costs you may be legally responsible for if you’re at fault in an accident, including damage or injury to other vehicles, property, or other people.
Most states require all registered vehicles to have liability insurance at state-mandated minimum limits.
Collision insurance covers the repair or replacement costs of your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident, whether with another vehicle or an object like a fence or tree.
You aren’t required to have collision insurance by law, but if you finance or lease your vehicle, the lender or leasing company might require you to have it.
Comprehensive insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle after events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or hail.
Like collision coverage, comprehensive insurance isn’t a legal requirement but might be required by your lender or leasing company.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance protects you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who either doesn’t have insurance or whose insurance is insufficient to cover your injuries or property damage.
Some states require drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage, and some states require all insurance companies in the state to include it on policies unless declined by the customer in writing.
Also known as “no-fault” insurance, PIP covers your and your passengers’ medical expenses and sometimes lost wages, regardless of who’s at fault in an accident.
States with no-fault car insurance laws usually require PIP.
Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident. It’s similar to PIP but generally offers a narrower scope of coverage (it doesn’t cover lost income, for example) and has lower limits.
MedPay typically isn’t required by law.[1]
The term “full coverage” can be misleading because it doesn’t protect you from every type of incident and damage. For example, it won’t cover your own medical bills after a car crash unless your policy includes state-mandated coverages like medical payments or personal injury protection. It also won’t cover normal vehicle wear and tear or routine maintenance.
Several types of coverage fall outside the scope of a standard full-coverage policy. You might consider adding these additional coverages to your policy.
Gap insurance: If your car gets totaled or stolen, gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and its current market value.
Rental reimbursement: If your car is in the shop after an accident, rental reimbursement covers the cost of renting a vehicle so you’re not left without transportation while your vehicle is repaired.
Roadside assistance: This typically covers towing, tire changes, jump-starts, lockout service, and fuel delivery if you find yourself stranded on the road.
Diminishing deductible: Diminishing or vanishing deductible programs reward you for safe driving. With each year of accident-free driving, your deductible decreases (or may even go away entirely).
New car replacement: If your new car is totaled, new car replacement coverage helps you replace it with a brand-new car of the same make and model. It’s an upgrade from the standard coverage, which typically pays only the depreciated value of your car.
The average monthly premium for full-coverage car insurance is $175, according to Compare.com data. But your rates may vary depending on your location, age, driving record, and other factors.
The table below shows the average car insurance rates for full-coverage insurance from the 10 largest insurance companies by market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[2]
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $98 |
| State Farm | $108 |
| Allstate | $137 |
| GEICO | $138 |
| American Family | $146 |
| Progressive | $171 |
| Nationwide | $178 |
| Travelers | $184 |
| Farmers | $211 |
| Liberty Mutual | $215 |
Average premiums can vary significantly from company to company due to a variety of factors, such as each company’s pricing criteria, available discounts, and the cost of doing business. That’s why shopping around and comparing rates from different companies is so important.
Comparing quotes guarantees the best deal.
 |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $62/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $76/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $82/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $106/mo* | Average Premium Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $115/mo* |
Overall Rating 4.3 | Overall Rating 4.2 | Overall Rating 3.9 | Overall Rating 3.5 | Overall Rating 4.1 |
Value 3.5/5 | Value 4.9/5 | Value 4.0/5 | Value 3.8/5 | Value 4.2/5 |
Customer Service 3.7/5 | Customer Service 4.4/5 | Customer Service 4.4/5 | Customer Service 4.1/5 | Customer Service 4.3/5 |
Claims Handling 3.7/5 | Claims Handling 4.2/5 | Claims Handling 3.9/5 | Claims Handling 3.6/5 | Claims Handling 4.0/5 |
Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 9 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 65 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 297 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 165 user reviews | Special Highlight N/AAI-generated from 248 user reviews |
Nearly every state requires you to purchase liability insurance, which protects others if you cause an accident. Full-coverage car insurance takes it a step further by providing protection for your own vehicle.
Choosing between the two depends on your budget, your vehicle’s value, and the financial risk you’re willing to take on. Understanding these differences can help you choose the best policy for your needs and budget. Let’s look at how they compare in coverage and cost.
If you cause an accident, liability insurance pays for the other driver’s injuries and damages. Full coverage includes that same protection but also adds collision and comprehensive coverages, which both protect your vehicle. They pay for your vehicle repair or replacement after an accident with another vehicle or object and after non-collision damage like theft, fire, or natural disasters.
Liability-only insurance is the most affordable coverage you can buy, costing an average of $101 per month, according to our data. Full coverage costs more, at around $175 per month.
To illustrate the difference, imagine you rear-end another vehicle. Your liability insurance would pay for the driver’s vehicle repairs and medical bills related to their injuries.
If you have collision coverage, your insurer pays for your car repairs or replacement. In both cases, your coverage applies only up to your policy coverage limits or your car’s cash value.
)
State law doesn’t require drivers to have full coverage, but there are a few situations where having full coverage can be beneficial. Below are a few examples:
You have a new or expensive vehicle. Full coverage can protect your investment if your car is new or has a high market value. Your insurance will help cover the repair or replacement cost if it’s damaged, totaled, or stolen.
You’re financing or leasing your car. Most lenders and leasing companies require full coverage to protect their investment in your vehicle.
You don’t have significant savings for repairs or replacement. If paying out of pocket for repairing or replacing your car would be challenging, full coverage provides a safety net to prevent a car accident from becoming a financial crisis.
A car insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your comprehensive or collision coverage kicks in. Typically, a higher deductible means a lower premium because you’re taking on more financial responsibility when you file a claim.
Most drivers choose between a $250 and $1,000 deductible, but the majority tend to opt for a $500 deductible.[3] Each coverage also has different deductible amounts. For instance, your collision deductible could be higher than your comprehensive deductible.
To understand how deductibles work, imagine a tree branch has fallen on your car, resulting in $2,000 worth of repairs. If your comprehensive coverage has a deductible of $500, you pay that $500 out of pocket, and your insurance company pays the remaining $1,500.
Deductibles are a one-time payment per claim, not an annual or recurring fee.
)
If you’re worried that full-coverage car insurance is outside your budget, here are a few strategies for lowering your premiums while still getting the coverage you need.[4]
Bundle your policies: Many insurance companies offer discounts if you bundle your car insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
Increase your deductible: Opting for a higher deductible can lower your premium, but keep in mind you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.
Maintain a clean driving record: Safe driving can lead to lower rates because many insurance companies offer discounts for drivers without accidents or traffic violations on their records.
Ask about discounts: Insurance companies may offer various discounts, such as for maintaining good grades, installing anti-theft devices on your car, or taking a defensive driving course.
Shop around: Prices and policies vary significantly between insurance companies. Take the time to get quotes from multiple companies and compare them.
Compare rates and save money on the coverage you need.
To help you understand your options when shopping for full-coverage car insurance, here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.
A full-coverage policy combines liability insurance with collision and comprehensive coverages. Collision insurance covers damage to your car from an accident, while comprehensive insurance covers non-collision incidents, like fire, theft, and vandalism.
Full-coverage auto insurance isn’t a legal requirement. But it might be required by lenders or recommended if you have a new or expensive vehicle and can’t afford significant out-of-pocket expenses for car repairs or replacement.
Liability insurance covers only the damages and injuries you cause to others in an accident. Full coverage includes liability insurance and adds collision and comprehensive coverage, which protect your vehicle from damage due to accidents, theft, falling tree limbs, hail damage, and more.
Whether you get full coverage on a paid-off car depends on the car’s value, your financial situation, and your risk tolerance. If your car still has significant value or if you wouldn’t be able to afford major repairs or replace it, maintaining full coverage is a smart move.
The decision to keep full coverage on a car depends on factors like your car’s age and value and your ability to pay for repairs or to replace your vehicle. Generally, as a car ages and its value decreases, you might consider eliminating full coverage.
COUNTRY Financial has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance, with a monthly average of $72, according to Compare.com data.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's been writing for Compare.com since 2023 and has also appeared on various business and finance sites, including LendingTree, Chime, Insurify, Forbes, and WSJ. She’s passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
)
