Best Cheap Full-Coverage Car Insurance (March 2024)

COUNTRY Financial, Hugo, and NJM offer the cheapest rates for full-coverage car insurance. But the cheapest option may not be the best for everyone.

Sarah Sharkey
Written bySarah Sharkey
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
  • 7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Contributor to top media, including USA Today

A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark Friedlander
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated March 14, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates

Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $34/mo for liability only and $46/mo for full coverage.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on March 14, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from March 14, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

As a driver, opting for full-coverage car insurance means more robust financial protection. The more extensive policy type covers damage to your vehicle, while a liability-only policy only covers damage and injuries you cause to other people.

If you’re considering a full-coverage policy, comparing multiple quotes and working with the right insurance company is important. Here’s what you need to know about the best full-coverage car insurance companies and how to choose one.

Quick Facts
  • A full-coverage car insurance policy includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

  • On average, full-coverage car insurance policies cost $161 a month, with options ranging from $75 to $227, according to Insurify data.

  • The best full-coverage insurance company offers a balance between affordable prices, top-notch customer service, and longstanding financial stability. 

Cheapest companies for full-coverage car insurance

The cost of a full-coverage car insurance policy varies from insurer to insurer. Each insurance company has its own underwriting method for determining premiums. With that, the only way to find the best rates for your unique situation is to shop around.

In the table below, you’ll find a breakdown of the cheapest insurers for full-coverage policies in the U.S. COUNTRY Financial and Hugo both offer the lowest full-coverage quotes.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly QuoteIQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
COUNTRY Financial464.2
Hugo553.3
NJM574.6
Auto-Owners824.0
Erie954.4
Root983.9
USAA1004.5
Mile Auto1023.5
State Farm1164.5
GEICO1194.2
Metromile1193.3
Safeco1243.8
Allstate1394.2
CSAA1453.5
Progressive1463.9
Clearcover1473.2
Mercury1523.6
American Family1744.3
Elephant1763.8
National General1813.1
The Hartford1810.0
Nationwide1874.3
Direct Auto1973.3
Travelers1984.3
Shelter1983.6
State Auto2004.0
Liberty Mutual2023.8
AssuranceAmerica2042.2
Dairyland2313.3
Farmers2503.8
The General2513.3
Chubb2532.9
GAINSCO2603.3
Anchor2662.8
21st Century2742.8
Foremost2763.5
Amica2903.8
Bristol West2912.2
Commonwealth Casualty3062.7
Infinity3260.0
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Cheapest full-coverage insurance by state

The state you call home has a big effect on your insurance rates. A few reasons for varying rates include the frequency of litigation, medical care costs, car repair costs, weather trends, and the prevalence of auto insurance fraud.[1]

The table below gives a breakdown of the cheapest average full-coverage quotes based on your state. Check out the average rates for your state below:

StateInsurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
AlabamaUSAA$70
ArizonaAuto-Owners$74
ArkansasState Farm$57
CaliforniaMile Auto$120
ColoradoState Farm$97
ConnecticutState Farm$98
DelawareUSAA$79
FloridaState Farm$80
GeorgiaHugo$63
IdahoSafeco$80
IllinoisAuto-Owners$48
IndianaAuto-Owners$51
IowaAuto-Owners$43
KansasTravelers$108
KentuckyAuto-Owners$102
LouisianaState Farm$121
MaineSafeco$74
MarylandUSAA$150
MassachusettsTravelers$80
MichiganAuto-Owners$110
MinnesotaNationwide$99
MississippiState Farm$71
MissouriUSAA$57
NebraskaAuto-Owners$41
NevadaCOUNTRY Financial$60
New JerseyNJM$127
New MexicoState Farm$61
New YorkCSAA $201
North CarolinaErie$60
OhioMile Auto$57
OklahomaState Farm$60
OregonMile Auto$67
PennsylvaniaMile Auto$72
South CarolinaUSAA$83
TennesseeState Farm$47
TexasState Farm$64
UtahUSAA$101
VirginiaAuto-Owners$63
WashingtonDirect Auto$86
Washington, D.C.GEICO$149
West VirginiaState Farm$54
WisconsinUSAA$44
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Insufficient data is available to show results for Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.

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Best full-coverage car insurance companies

The best car insurance companies offering full-coverage options have a combination of affordable rates and a high-quality customer experience. COUNTRY Financial has the cheapest average full-coverage rates, at $46 a month, but it’s not available in every state. State Farm’s average full-coverage rates may be more, for some drivers, but the company has nationwide availability.

Below is a breakdown of the average monthly costs tied to the top full-coverage car insurance companies. 

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
NJM57
Erie95
USAA100
State Farm116
American Family174
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

NJM

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.5
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$36/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$57/mo

NJM offers policies in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. After more than 100 years in business, the company has earned a top-notch reputation in the insurance industry.

NJM earned a rating of 896 out of 1,000 points in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[2] The company also earned an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.5 out of 5. In terms of financial stability, the company earned an A+ A.M. Best rating.

NJM offers discounts for defensive driving, driver training, automatic payments, good students, bundling, mature drivers, paying up front, and insuring multiple vehicles. Plus, you can score a discount when you carry both collision and comprehensive coverage.

Pros

  • A+ (Superior) A.M. Best financial strength rating

  • Many discount options

  • Lower rates than other top insurers

Cons

  • Only available in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania

  • No mobile app for account management

  • Discounts not available in every state

Erie

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
870
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$57/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$95/mo

Erie earned the top spot for overall customer satisfaction in the mid-Atlantic segment of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[2] Additionally, Erie earned a 4.4 IQ Score and and A+ A.M. Best rating.

As a driver, you can find discounts when bundling policies, storing your vehicle, choosing a vehicle with safety features, or being a college student. Other discounts are available when paying your yearly or six-month premium up front.

The positive experience tends to come with relatively affordable premiums for full coverage. Erie is a super-regional insurer that offers coverage in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

Pros:

  • ERIE Rate Lock offers stable rates

  • A+ (Superior) A.M. Best rating

  • Above-average rating in J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]

Cons:

  • Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

  • Limited online service

  • Usage-based insurance not available

Over the years, they have always gone over and above what I would have expected. They are fair and prompt in customer service issues. They have always tailored my policy to meet my needs at a very fair price.

linda - August 9, 2023
Verified

I have been with Erie for 73 years. No problems!.

William - July 17, 2023
Verified

My agent was always there for me.

Dinah - December 4, 2022
Verified
Read our Erie Insurance review

State Farm

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$53/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$116/mo

After more than 100 years of operation, State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurer based on market share. Beyond affordable coverage, the company has a positive reputation. It earned an above-average score in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and an IQ Score of 4.4.[2]

Nationwide coverage is paired with cheap rates relative to other insurers. Drivers will find some discounts available, including discounts for good students, defensive driving courses, accident-free driving, and bundling.

Through State Farm, you can also get collision, comprehensive, rideshare, rental, and emergency roadside service coverage.

Pros:

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating

  • Above-average rating in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study[2]

  • 19,000 exclusive local agents available nationwide

Cons:

  • Relatively limited list of discounts

  • May have to work with a local agent to finalize coverage

  • New policies unavailable in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

I am happy with their coverage. I just bought a new car, and my insurance quadrupled. YIKES.

Stacy - December 4, 2023
Verified

Friendly service.

John - December 4, 2023
Verified

Got insurance established fast.

Robert - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our State Farm review

USAA

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
880
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$46/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$100/mo

USAA puts a focus on providing high-quality insurance options to military families. You’ll need to be an active-duty military member, veteran, or connected family member to get insurance through USAA.

The company earned an above-average rating in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[2] It also earned an A++ A.M. Best rating and a 4.4 IQ Score.

As a driver, you can tap into liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage through USAA. Don’t forget to look for discounts, like bundling, safe driving, and automatic payments.

Pros:

  • A++ (Superior) A.M. Best rating

  • Above-average rating in the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study[2]

  • Relatively low rates compared to other insurers

Cons:

  • Only available to members of the military community

  • Limited customer service hours

  • Limited discounts compared to other companies

They have stopped thinking about how today's financial strain is impacting their customers.

Darcy - November 26, 2023
Verified

Not satisfied with price hike even after lowering coverage.

Linda - November 3, 2023
Verified

Wonderful service, pricing, and care.

Robert - October 24, 2023
Verified
Read our USAA review

American Family

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.2
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
840
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$77/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$174/mo

American Family isn’t available everywhere, but it’s a worthwhile option to consider for drivers in covered states. Through this insurer, you can find comprehensive, collision, liability, gap coverage, and more.

American Family earned an above-average rating in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[2] Additionally, it earned a 4.2 IQ Score and an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

Before finalizing American Family coverage, look for discounts. A few discounts include bundling, safe driving, defensive driver training, low mileage, and more.

Pros:

  • Long list of available discount options

  • Above-average rating in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study[2]

  • Highly rated mobile app for account management

Cons:

  • Only available in 19 states

  • Rates may be higher than some competitors

  • Low customer reviews on Trustpilot

Prices are higher than expected.

Tyrone - October 9, 2023
Verified

They're OK but too expensive.

Sally - July 21, 2023
Verified

They are nice people to do business with, just kind of expensive

Pat - February 1, 2023
Verified
Read our American Family review

How Insurify rates car insurance companies

Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Check Out: The Insurify Guide to Car Insurance Discounts

Check Out: The Insurify Guide to Car Insurance Discounts

Best full-coverage insurance by driving history

Insurance companies often take your driving record into account. Drivers with a clean record usually pay lower rates than drivers with past incidents on their record.[3]

For example, while COUNTRY Financial has an average full-coverage rate of $46 per month for drivers with a clean record, those with a speeding ticket will pay $55 on average. COUNTRY Financial customers with DUI convictions pay even more, with an average monthly rate of $71.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, March 14 at 12:00 PM PDT
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Insurance CompanyClean RecordSpeeding TicketAt-Fault AccidentDUI
COUNTRY Financial46556171
Hugo55776875
NJM57909381
Auto-Owners82100104127
Erie95132136119
Root98148155138
USAA100114123155
Mile Auto102153165158
State Farm116128139180
GEICO119136147184
Metromile119175184163
Safeco124173185192
Allstate139158170215
CSAA145180199225
Progressive146182196226
Clearcover147199253228
Mercury152233246247
American Family174206217270
Elephant176205221273
National General181210231281
The Hartford181292306271
Nationwide187219234290
Direct Auto197243262305
Travelers198235250307
Shelter198277293265
Liberty Mutual202271289313
AssuranceAmerica204273280316
Dairyland231284297358
Farmers250287307388
The General251309331389
Chubb253300315392
GAINSCO260281308403
21st Century274343361425
Amica290440456403
Bristol West291346356451
Commonwealth Casualty306329383378
Infinity326404377505
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Best full-coverage insurance by age group

Age leads to experience in the driver’s seat. More experienced drivers tend to get into fewer accidents. With that, young drivers generally pay the most for car insurance.[3] For instance, teens on their parents' insurance policies pay an average of $100 a month for full-coverage car insurance with Hugo. However, these rates decline starting in a driver’s 20s and continue decreasing until their 80s, where drivers pay an average of $55 a month for full-coverage car insurance from Hugo.

The table below outlines how rates tend to be highest for teenagers and lowest for older drivers.

Teens20–2930–3940–4950–5960–6970–7980+
$350$199$164$160$151$175$125$99
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Best full-coverage insurance by credit tier

In some states, insurance companies consider your credit history when determining your rates. Drivers with higher credit scores tend to pay lower insurance premiums.[1]

When looking at rates from NJM, drivers with excellent credit see monthly premiums of $46, while those with poor credit generally pay $89 per month.

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
$271$175$159$135
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

What is full-coverage car insurance, and how does it work?

Full-coverage auto insurance includes state-mandated liability coverage along with comprehensive and collision coverage. A full-coverage policy protects your car, other drivers, and their cars. Minimum requirements vary by state, but most states require drivers to have liability coverage, including bodily injury and property damage. Some states even require underinsured or uninsured motorist protection.[4]

If you opt for a full-coverage policy, your insurer will reimburse you after an incident that damages your vehicle. For example, the insurance company may pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision or storm.

The main advantage of full-coverage insurance is robust financial protection. Since this type of policy adds onto the state’s minimum liability coverage requirements, it provides more coverage for repairing or replacing your vehicle after a covered claim.

What full-coverage car insurance covers

Full-coverage includes multiple layers of protection. Here’s a closer look at what it covers:

  • Liability coverage: A full-coverage policy includes at least the minimum amount of liability coverage your state requires. You can also purchase additional liability coverage.

  • Collision coverage: Collision coverage provides reimbursement after an accident with another vehicle or an object like a tree or fence. If you get in an accident, the policy will help you repair or replace your vehicle. 

  • Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive coverage protects you financially in a non-collision event. For example, you can file a claim after a fallen tree or hailstorm damages your vehicle, or following theft, vandalism, flood, or fire.

What full-coverage insurance doesn’t cover

Full coverage insurance isn’t a catch-all coverage. While you’ll find more protection than a liability-only policy, your coverage will still have a few gaps. A few things not covered include:

  • Commercial usage: If you’re a rideshare driver or deliver items from a grocery store or pharmacy with your vehicle, a standard full-coverage policy won’t offer protection.

  • Vehicle upgrades: A standard full-coverage policy doesn’t cover a fancy sound system or premium rims. But you can buy supplemental insurance to protect your after-market upgrades.

  • Gap insurance: The insurance company will pay out the fair market value of your vehicle after a total loss, but not the gap between the value of your vehicle and what you owe on your auto loan or lease. You can purchase gap insurance to cover the difference.[5]

If you aren’t sure what your policy covers, look at your policy declaration page. It’s better to find any coverage gaps before you run into an issue.

Full-coverage and comprehensive vs. liability and collision

Liability coverage is the barebones option that most states require drivers to purchase. Each state sets different minimum liability insurance coverage requirements, usually broken down into bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. But since liability coverage is mandated by law, this serves as the starting point for most drivers.[4]

Liability coverage only protects other drivers on the road and other people’s property from mistakes that you make. If you get into an at-fault accident, liability coverage kicks in to pay for the injuries and damages you cause. However, liability coverage won’t help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle.

On top of liability coverage, full coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance. When you get in an accident or encounter another incident that damages your vehicle, full coverage will help you repair or replace your vehicle. This coverage will typically pay out to the fair market value of your vehicle.

Learn More: What is Liability Car Insurance?

Learn More: What is Liability Car Insurance?

How much is full-coverage car insurance on average?

When looking at top car insurance companies, the average cost of a full-coverage policy can range from $75 to $227 per month.

The cost varies dramatically from driver to driver. Insurance companies assess many individual rating factors, including your driving record, location, vehicle type, and more to nail down an appropriate premium. You’ll only determine your exact monthly cost by getting quotes from multiple insurers.

Find Full-Coverage Car Insurance

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualTravelers

Cost of full coverage against liability insurance

If you’re looking to cut costs, you’ll often find cheaper rates for liability-only insurance policies. Since liability-only policies have limited coverage, you can tap into more affordable rates than full-coverage policies.

For liability insurance, you can find average rates ranging from $63 to $158 per month. In contrast, top insurance companies offer full coverage with average monthly rates of $75 to $227.

Is full-coverage insurance worth it?

Full-coverage insurance provides more financial protection. In some cases, it’s worth it to opt for this additional coverage. But in other cases, it can make more financial sense to skip full coverage.

For example, if you drive an older vehicle with a value less than what it would cost to repair, it might not be worth carrying full coverage. But if you have a new vehicle, replacing or fixing the bumper after a fender bender can range from $100 to $1,000, which could make the cost of a full-coverage policy worth it.

How to compare full-coverage insurance quotes

When shopping around for a full-coverage insurance policy, price is just a starting point. Of course, you want to find an insurance policy that fits your wallet. But opting for the cheapest rate isn’t always the right move.

For example, if a company offers a full-coverage policy at $80 per month but has terrible reviews, you might want to opt for a different company with slightly higher rates and top-notch customer service ratings.

As you research, look for a company that strikes a balance between affordable prices, robust coverage options, and high customer satisfaction ratings.

How to reduce the cost of your policy

Car insurance is an unavoidable expense, as it’s illegal to drive without a minimum amount of insurance in most states. But you don’t have to overpay for a policy.

[One] way to lower the cost of your insurance is to increase your (collision and comprehensive) deductibles,” says Deon R. Williams, agent and owner of 4J Insurance Agency in Texas.

“If you’re a safe driver, you’ll have more time to save up for your deductible,” Williams says.

Here are a few other strategies to help you reduce costs:[6]

  • Look for discounts. Insurers offer a wide range of discounts, which can drive the price of your policy lower. Popular discounts are available for bundling policies, insuring multiple vehicles and being a safe driver.

  • Build a good credit score. Drivers with a good credit score tend to pay less for insurance than drivers with a poor credit score. If possible, improve your credit score to tap into lower rates.

  • Shop around. Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to find the best possible deal. Luckily, this once-tedious task is made easy with the help of an online quote-comparison tool.

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Does full-coverage car insurance replace your car?

When you purchase collision and comprehensive insurance, your insurance company will help you repair or replace your vehicle after a covered incident. However, the policy often only covers the market value of your vehicle. Since cars depreciate in value, you might find a gap between what you need to buy another car and your insurance coverage.[7]

Full-coverage insurance FAQs

You may have additional questions about the best full-coverage car insurance. Insurify answers commonly asked questions, and you can also check out guides on comparing quotes.

  • Is full-coverage car insurance coverage required by law?

    No. Drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, but collision and comprehensive insurance are optional. If you’re leasing or financing a vehicle, the lender or lessor may require you to carry full-coverage car insurance.[4]

  • Who has the best full-coverage insurance?

    NJM, Erie, and State Farm offer some of the best full-coverage insurance options on the market. As a driver, you’ll need to determine which company best suits your individual needs by comparing quotes.

  • Which company has the cheapest full-coverage policy?

    On average, NJM offers the cheapest full-coverage policies, at $75 per month. Auto-Owners also offers relatively cheap full-coverage insurance, at an average of $109 per month.

  • How long should you maintain full coverage on your car?

    If you financed a vehicle, you may have to maintain full coverage until you pay it off.[4] After that point, you have the choice to maintain or drop collision and comprehensive coverage. If the cost of repairing your vehicle meets or exceeds the value of your vehicle, dropping full coverage could be the right move.

  • Is full coverage required for a financed vehicle?

    In most cases, lenders require drivers to maintain full coverage on a vehicle until you pay it off.[4] If you finance or lease your vehicle, read the details of your contract to determine whether or not full coverage is required.

  • Does full coverage replace a totaled car?

    If you carry full coverage, the insurance company can help you repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. If the insurance company declares your car a total loss, it will likely reimburse you for the current market value of the vehicle. You can use those funds to help purchase another vehicle, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to purchase a brand-new car with the reimbursement check.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. NAIC. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores." Accessed April 19, 2023
  2. J.D. Power. "2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study." Accessed April 18, 2023
  3. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?." Accessed April 18, 2023
  4. III. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage." Accessed April 19, 2023
  5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) insurance?." Accessed April 19, 2023
  6. III. "How to save money on car insurance." Accessed April 19, 2023
  7. III. "What is auto insurance?." Accessed April 19, 2023
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Mark Friedlander
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Mark Friedlander
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
  • Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute

  • 20+ years in insurance and communications

As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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