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Is full coverage really full?

What to Know

  • Full auto coverage covers your vehicle against theft, vandalism, and collisions
  • Because the coverage is optional, it costs more than state required car insurance
  • If you can lower your risk, you may get more affordable rates

When it comes to full coverage car insurance, you should consider the cost and if your vehicle is worth it. Since full coverage insurance holds multiple optional policies, it can be more expensive than traditional liability coverage. In addition, the factors that affect car insurance rates during underwriting will also have a significant impact on your rates.

If you’re looking for full coverage rates, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to see what you could pay today.

Is full coverage really full?

If you’re wondering how full the full coverage really is, you should consider what it protects. Since a full coverage insurance policy is made up of comprehensive and collision insurance policies, it can protect damages to your vehicle from:

  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Extreme weather
  • Debris
  • Collisions

While this coverage is extensive, it’s not really what most would call completely full. It doesn’t protect against damages like natural wear and tear or protect custom parts you might have on your vehicle. For certain types of wear and tear, you’d need a warranty, and certain services are covered under affordable roadside service options.

What is full coverage insurance?

When you sign up for car insurance coverage, you’ll want to ensure that you can get the type of coverage you need. Then, whether it be the minimum liability coverage, or something much more extensive, you can quickly get car insurance rates that work within your budget.

Full coverage is an extensive car insurance policy option that will cover various damages to your vehicle. Unlike the traditional liability required in most states, full coverage car insurance is an optional policy that protects your car from almost all dangers while on the road and while parked.

While liability protects others on the road, your full coverage policy encompasses multiple types of coverage. It can be a great way to protect your car from dangers, but you should also be prepared to pay the cost for the additional coverage.

What is the difference between liability vs. full coverage?

Liability coverage is required in most states to protect other drivers or property you might damage with your vehicle. It can cover the medical bills of the injured party and any legal expenses you face from hitting someone with your car. If you don’t have liability insurance coverage, you can get into a lot of trouble with your insurer.

Full coverage auto insurance is optional car insurance that provides multiple types of coverage under one umbrella policy. It can help protect your vehicle from collision, weather damage, theft, and more. Numerous car insurance companies will give you full coverage auto insurance, taking away much of your worry on the road.

What companies offer full coverage car insurance?

The full coverage option may differ between insurance companies as with all car insurance policies. Furthermore, the insurer may further offer additional riders to customize your full coverage insurance policy.

Some of the best companies that offer cheap full coverage car insurance include:

  • Esurance
  • Geico
  • Progressive
  • Allstate

These are just a handful of the full coverage car insurance companies, and many more are out there. To get the best coverage for your lifestyle, consider multiple insurance companies to see what they can offer you. Car insurance is an ever-growing business, and many companies will be willing to help you find coverage that works.

How much is full coverage insurance?

As mentioned above, what you can expect with full coverage insurance will likely vary between car insurance companies. The cost of the policy will also depend on your car, driving record, and other demographics. While you’ll probably have to pay a little more for full coverage, it pales in comparison to completely losing your car.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the two policies that make up full coverage slightly differ in price. For example, comprehensive car insurance can sit somewhere around $134 a year, while collision insurance costs about $290. Added together for full coverage, the price can come out to around $422 a year or more depending on things like driving record.

What policies are included in (full coverage insurance)?

Full coverage car insurance will offer your vehicle unique protection that it won’t get from traditional liability coverage. Since this coverage is optional, it can cost a little more but is much less than you’d have to pay for a new car if something happens to yours.

The policies and other options included in full coverage auto insurance are:

  • Comprehensive – This coverage protects your vehicle from theft, vandalism, and severe weather damage that may happen.
  • Collision – This policy protects your vehicle when you collide with another on the road.
  • Riders – Your insurance company may attach additional coverage or give you the option to customize your policy further.

If you’re unsure about the policy options included in full coverage, you should discuss the coverage with an insurance agent. It’s also important to consider multiple insurers so you don’t end up paying an excessive amount for your car insurance coverage.

Who needs full coverage insurance?

Full coverage insurance will protect your car from a variety of dangers while you’re out on the road and parked at home. It can help protect against incidents like vandalism, theft, and collision, even providing you with a new vehicle if yours is totaled.

Some of the people who can benefit the most from full coverage insurance include:

  • New cars
  • High-value used cars
  • Living in a neighborhood with high crime rates

If you’re worried about something happening to your vehicle, you should consider how you can insure against that. You may have to pay a little extra for the coverage, so make sure that your car is valuable enough to warrant the additional cost in insurance.

How can I save on full coverage insurance?

An insurance company is a business at the end of the day, which means it will have to evaluate the risk you pose. For example, if you have a higher chance of getting into a wreck or having your car stolen, you’ll have to pay to cover that risk. The insurance company will determine your risk of payout through the underwriting process.

How do car insurance companies determine car insurance rates?

The company will carefully evaluate your risk through underwriting when you apply for car insurance. This process involves going over areas in your life that will indicate the danger you face on the road. Some of the areas that the car insurance company will consider include:

  • Your car’s year, make, and model
  • Credit and driving history
  • Criminal history
  • Demographics like age and gender
  • Where you live

When your insurance company is underwriting you, it will consider how you have driven and paid your bills in the past. The insurance company will also want to understand where the car will be most of the time, including your home and work address. The higher the chance something might happen to your vehicle, the more you’ll pay.

How can I lower my car insurance risk?

If you’re worried about your car insurance cost, you should try to lower your risk. If the insurance company can see that you’ve improved your records, it will consider you much less risk than someone who continues to make errors. Your car insurance company will be more willing to give you cheaper rates if you can lower your risk by:

  • Driving safer
  • Improving your credit history
  • Parking your vehicle safely, like inside a garage

The more you’re able to improve your records, the more the insurance company will offer you better rates. Of course, since insurance companies are private businesses, it will always be inclined to give you cheaper rates when it sees the opportunity.

Full Coverage Car Insurance: The Bottom Line

There are multiple full coverage car insurance policies on the market, and comparing them is a key to getting the most affordable rates. Because full coverage includes two types of optional coverage, it can be a little more expensive than traditional liability. However, it beats the cost of paying for additional coverage on your policy.

If you’re looking for full coverage car insurance quotes, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool to see what you could pay today.