The idea of having “full coverage” auto insurance with complete protection for your car or truck would be perfect. But what does "full coverage" mean for auto insurance? Also, why can this term be misleading when selecting the right coverage for your vehicle?
For starters, there is no standard definition of “full coverage” auto insurance. Auto insurance is not a one-size-fits-all purchase, and an auto insurance policy should be customized to fit your needs. One thing to consider is how much coverage you need to protect your property and assets. Depending on your situation, your version of full coverage insurance may be different from someone else's.
For help finding what works best for you, check out our coverage calculator.
What coverages make up an auto insurance policy?
Auto insurance policies have state-required coverages that include limits that you legally must-have. Then there are the optional coverages and coverage limits. Coverages and coverage limits vary by state. Do you want to know more about your state?
Common Auto Insurance Coverages
Your state requires some auto insurance coverage. Although you must have the minimum limits; you can choose higher limits to make the policy fit your needs.
Liability coverage
Most states require that you purchase liability coverage. Includes coverage for bodily injury/damage and property damage. These coverages help protect if you are at fault in an accident and cause injury or damage to another person or their property.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage helps protect you if you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have enough insurance to pay for your damages. These coverages can help cover your injuries or damage to your property.
These requirements and coverage options can vary widely by state. We can help you determine what your state requires. You can also find information on our information pages by state.
Medical coverage
Medical expenses or bodily injury/damage protection coverage are the most common medical coverages. These coverages can help with medical expenses for you, your family members, and possibly passengers as a result of an accident. States determine what coverages are offered and have different rules about who and what is covered. We can help you determine what your state requires. You can also find information on our information pages by state.
There are other coverages that your state does not require, but that may provide you with additional protection. If your vehicle is financed or leased, your lienholder may require you to have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy to protect their interests.
Collision Coverage
Collision helps fix your vehicle when it crashes or is hit by another vehicle or object. You can use collision whether or not you are at fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is for damage to your vehicle. Cover your vehicle in case of theft or vandalism. It can also help with losses resulting from floods, hail, and when you hit an animal.
Additional coverages help you customize your auto insurance policy. You may want a rental refund to help with rental costs due to a covered loss. Emergency Roadside Service can help provide roadside assistance for a tire change, jump start, or a tow if needed.
See the auto insurance coverage information page for more information on these and other available coverages.
How can I customize my auto insurance policy to best meet my needs?
Although you must have the coverage required by the state, you can still customize your policy. You may decide to apply higher limits than the state minimums for additional protection.
You can also select the amounts of your deductible in certain coverages. Or you can add coverages to help with roadside assistance, rental, or even a mechanical breakdown. You may also consider a supplemental insurance policy.
How much does “full coverage” auto insurance cost?
As we mentioned earlier, there is no standard definition of “full coverage” auto insurance. We can help you ensure that your policy meets the requirements of your state along with your situation.
The premium is affected by the types of coverages, limits, and deductibles you choose. If you're comparing auto insurance rates, it's important to keep this in mind.
If you decide to apply higher limits than the state mandates, your policy will likely cost more than someone with the minimum coverage limits. Or, if you choose a higher deductible, the cost of those coverages is typically lower than if you had a lower deductible.
What is “full coverage” auto insurance?
The idea of having “full coverage” auto insurance with complete protection for your car or truck would be perfect. But what does "full coverage" mean for auto insurance? Also, why can this term be misleading when selecting the right coverage for your vehicle?
For starters, there is no standard definition of “full coverage” auto insurance. Auto insurance is not a one-size-fits-all purchase, and an auto insurance policy should be customized to fit your needs. One thing to consider is how much coverage you need to protect your property and assets. Depending on your situation, your version of full coverage insurance may be different from someone else's.
For help finding what works best for you, check out our coverage calculator.
What coverages make up an auto insurance policy?
Auto insurance policies have state-required coverages that include limits that you legally must-have. Then there are the optional coverages and coverage limits. Coverages and coverage limits vary by state. Do you want to know more about your state?
Common Auto Insurance Coverages
Your state requires some auto insurance coverage. Although you must have the minimum limits; you can choose higher limits to make the policy fit your needs.
Liability coverage
Most states require that you purchase liability coverage. Includes coverage for bodily injury/damage and property damage. These coverages help protect if you are at fault in an accident and cause injury or damage to another person or their property.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have liability insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage helps protect you if you are involved in an accident with someone who does not have enough insurance to pay for your damages. These coverages can help cover your injuries or damage to your property.
These requirements and coverage options can vary widely by state. We can help you determine what your state requires. You can also find information on our information pages by state.
Medical coverage
Medical expenses or bodily injury/damage protection coverage are the most common medical coverages. These coverages can help with medical expenses for you, your family members, and possibly passengers as a result of an accident. States determine what coverages are offered and have different rules about who and what is covered. We can help you determine what your state requires. You can also find information on our information pages by state.
There are other coverages that your state does not require, but that may provide you with additional protection. If your vehicle is financed or leased, your lienholder may require you to have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy to protect their interests.
Collision Coverage
Collision helps fix your vehicle when it crashes or is hit by another vehicle or object. You can use collision whether or not you are at fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is for damage to your vehicle. Cover your vehicle in case of theft or vandalism. It can also help with losses resulting from floods, hail, and when you hit an animal.
Additional coverages help you customize your auto insurance policy. You may want a rental refund to help with rental costs due to a covered loss. Emergency Roadside Service can help provide roadside assistance for a tire change, jump start, or a tow if needed.
See the auto insurance coverage information page for more information on these and other available coverages.
How can I customize my auto insurance policy to best meet my needs?
Although you must have the coverage required by the state, you can still customize your policy. You may decide to apply higher limits than the state minimums for additional protection.
You can also select the amounts of your deductible in certain coverages. Or you can add coverages to help with roadside assistance, rental, or even a mechanical breakdown. You may also consider a supplemental insurance policy.
How much does “full coverage” auto insurance cost?
As we mentioned earlier, there is no standard definition of “full coverage” auto insurance. We can help you ensure that your policy meets the requirements of your state along with your situation.
The premium is affected by the types of coverages, limits, and deductibles you choose. If you're comparing auto insurance rates, it's important to keep this in mind.
If you decide to apply higher limits than the state mandates, your policy will likely cost more than someone with the minimum coverage limits. Or, if you choose a higher deductible, the cost of those coverages is typically lower than if you had a lower deductible.
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