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- Full coverage car insurance is a mix of liability, collision, and comprehensive car insurance.
- If you finance or lease your car, your lender may require collision and comprehensive coverage, but full is better.
- State law requires drivers to have liability insurance, and minimums vary by state.
- See Insider’s picks for the best car insurance companies.
There are four main types of car insurance: comprehensive, collision, and liability. Liability insurance is required by state law, and full coverage is a combination of the three different types of insurance.
If you finance or lease your car, your lender probably requires comprehensive and collision coverage. However, full coverage would be an even better option if you need comprehensive and collision coverage.
What is full coverage car insurance?
Full coverage is a combination of liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance.
Liability coverage is required by law and covers damage you cause to other vehicles and their passengers. Minimum liability insurance requirements vary by state.
Comprehensive coverage replaces or repairs your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged. Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage from fire, vandalism, and falling objects (like a tree or hail).
Collision insurance covers your vehicle if you’re in an accident or collision. If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require both comprehensive and collision coverage, but full coverage is a better option because it gives you the most coverage across the board.
| Damage | Comprehensive | Collision | Liability* | Full |
| Theft | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Vandalism | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fire | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Natural disaster | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Falling objects (tree) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Animal damage | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Collision/accident | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Rollover | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bodily injury/medical bills | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Physical damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Property damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured motorist | No | No | Yes | Yes |
*Most states require some type of liability coverage.
How much does full coverage insurance cost?
Your annual car insurance premium for full coverage will be based on several factors, including the type of vehicle, your location, mileage, and driving record.
The table below shows costs for collision, liability, and comprehensive coverage. The average cost is the annual car insurance premium the average person in that state paid.
| State | Liability | Collision | Comprehensive | Average cost |
| Alabama | $511.13 | $380.51 | $175.28 | $904.56 |
| Alaska | $576.09 | $387.12 | $147.87 | $965.44 |
| Arizona | $646.75 | $326.28 | $208.25 | $1,046.40 |
| Arkansas | $486.72 | $375.25 | $235.36 | $898.89 |
| California | $616.51 | $483.60 | $94.72 | $1,034.05 |
| Colorado | $687.40 | $330.50 | $272.44 | $1,132.81 |
| Connecticut | $784.70 | $407.54 | $133.86 | $1,216.55 |
| Delaware | $900.32 | $352.86 | $140.52 | $1,291.39 |
| D.C. | $809.41 | $535.96 | $228.71 | $1,429.43 |
| Florida | $1,009.94 | $361.79 | $149.26 | $1,426.46 |
| Georgia | $797.80 | $408.41 | $176.31 | $1,212.04 |
| Hawaii | $479.27 | $357.78 | $107.66 | $829.15 |
| Idaho | $425.89 | $262.67 | $139.75 | $722.06 |
| Illinois | $515.94 | $339.04 | $140.57 | $916.49 |
| Indiana | $442.69 | $286.49 | $135.63 | $767.72 |
| Iowa | $348.87 | $252.65 | $214.65 | $700.71 |
| Kansas | $421.78 | $287.24 | $276.33 | $805.15 |
| Kentucky | $611.54 | $312.51 | $164.68 | $936.91 |
| Louisiana | $1,015.36 | $487.44 | $248.57 | $1,545.82 |
| Maine | $374.59 | $294.80 | $113.33 | $686.25 |
| Maryland | $737.73 | $422.06 | $167.61 | $1,211.83 |
| Massachusetts | $658.47 | $440.55 | $147.06 | $1,167.16 |
| Michigan | $952.15 | $479.11 | $159.08 | $1,469.73 |
| Minnesota | $499.48 | $265.74 | $206.45 | $872.65 |
| Mississippi | $538.35 | $372.17 | $239.34 | $971.19 |
| Missouri | $520.45 | $315.49 | $216.92 | $913.81 |
| Montana | $435.81 | $283.65 | $306.00 | $825.87 |
| Nebraska | $429.35 | $272.48 | $260.97 | $796.87 |
| Nevada | $900.40 | $366.54 | $119.28 | $1,260.43 |
| New Hampshire | $436.76 | $327.30 | $118.58 | $847.58 |
| New Jersey | $955.93 | $414.39 | $130.26 | $1,385.61 |
| New Mexico | $576.81 | $311.24 | $214.10 | $915.62 |
| New York | $920.25 | $457.77 | $180.64 | $1,425.00 |
| North Carolina | $391.29 | $342.13 | $137.45 | $734.06 |
| North Dakota | $307.97 | $279.45 | $256.76 | $686.08 |
| Ohio | $448.59 | $302.57 | $130.74 | $794.91 |
| Oklahoma | $508.89 | $346.73 | $267.99 | $915.49 |
| Oregon | $689.74 | $280.61 | $106.87 | $990.21 |
| Pennsylvania | $555.42 | $376.21 | $169.21 | $991.23 |
| Rhode Island | $885.33 | $474.58 | $140.40 | $1,333.12 |
| South Carolina | $702.37 | $318.08 | $207.09 | $1,093.97 |
| South Dakota | $333.44 | $244.47 | $327.11 | $721.67 |
| Tennessee | $477.07 | $355.01 | $163.83 | $855.78 |
| Texas | $659.47 | $442.88 | $269.90 | $1,152.25 |
| Utah | $601.77 | $309.20 | $127.53 | $941.14 |
| Vermont | $376.99 | $329.47 | $147.81 | $778.29 |
| Virginia | $492.68 | $316.05 | $148.25 | $853.78 |
| Washington | $689.18 | $312.65 | $118.19 | $1,035.34 |
| West Virginia | $521.74 | $350.20 | $224.86 | $938.71 |
| Wisconsin | $422.28 | $247.95 | $159.82 | $755.97 |
| Wyoming | $356.25 | $297.61 | $317.22 | $765.81 |
Data from the Insurance Information Institute (III)
Use online quote tools to get multiple quotes. The policy with the lowest price for coverage, the most coverage types and limits, and the lowest deductible is the best one for you.
Some states do not allow insurance companies to use your age, gender, or credit score as factors to determine your insurance premium. Therefore, the costs will vary greatly state by state.
Who needs full coverage car insurance?
If you lease or finance your car, most likely your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage. However, full coverage is a better option that gives you complete coverage.
If you have a new or newer vehicle, full coverage is best.
Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.
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