How Much Full Coverage Car Insurance Costs
Last Updated: November 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Full coverage car insurance usually costs more than the state minimum policy, and the exact price depends on your state, driving record, vehicle, and credit profile. Because the national average blends very different drivers, comparing quotes with identical limits and deductibles is the only reliable way to see your own cost.
Full coverage combines liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and most lenders require it on financed or leased vehicles.
Dropping collision and comprehensive on a paid-off used car means you no longer have full coverage at all.
Your state sets part of the baseline, and credit-based insurance scoring is one rating factor in most states.
State minimum liability limits are often far below what a serious accident costs, so they may leave you exposed.
Compare quotes using identical coverage limits, deductibles, and payment plans to avoid misleading monthly figures.
Table of Contents
Full coverage car insurance usually costs more than the minimum policy your state requires, but the gap varies more than most drivers expect. Individuals and families across the United States who want to understand what they are paying for before they buy will find this guide useful. This guide breaks down what full coverage typically costs, what it includes, and which factors move your premium up or down.
Quick Picks: Monthly rates depend on your state, driving record, and credit profile. The fastest way to see your own number is to compare quotes that use the same coverage limits and deductibles.
What Full Coverage Car Insurance Costs on Average
These averages differ because each source uses its own sample and method. Treat them as benchmarks, not quotes. The more useful move is to see how the average shifts once you segment it, because almost no driver pays the all-vehicle average.
Annual vs. monthly premiums. Most carriers quote a six-month or 12-month term but let you pay monthly. A common pattern is that paying in full saves a small percentage versus installments, and some carriers add an installment fee per payment. When you compare quotes, compare the same payment plan on both sides, or the monthly number will mislead you.
New vs. used vehicles. A new vehicle usually carries a higher full coverage premium because collision and comprehensive pay out on a higher replacement value, and lenders on financed new cars typically require the coverage. A used vehicle often costs less to insure on the same limits, but if you drop collision and comprehensive once the car is paid off, you are no longer buying full coverage at all. That trade-off is the single biggest lever on a used-car premium.
EV vs. gasoline vehicles. Electric vehicles tend to cost more to insure than comparable gasoline models. The common explanations are higher repair and parts costs, specialized labor, and a higher total loss frequency on some models. A full coverage quote on an EV should be compared against a gasoline vehicle in the same size and price class, not against the all-vehicle average.
The state spread is wider than the source spread. In practice, premiums vary considerably from state to state, which is why a national average is a starting point rather than an answer. That is why a national average is a starting point, not an answer.
What the average does not include. These benchmarks generally assume a clean driving record, a mid-range vehicle, and standard limits. An accident, a violation, a teen driver, or a luxury vehicle can push a premium well above the benchmark. A driver with a clean record in a low-cost state may pay below the national average; a driver with two violations in a high-cost state may pay several times it.
Watch out: comparing a monthly quote from one carrier against an annual benchmark from another source mixes payment plans and coverage limits, and the resulting number is meaningless. Always compare annual premium to annual premium on identical limits and deductibles.
What Full Coverage Car Insurance Includes
Full coverage is not a single policy. It usually means a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage (Auto insurance basics, understanding your coverage). Liability pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. Collision pays to repair your own car after a crash. Comprehensive covers theft, weather, and other non-collision damage.
Most lenders require full coverage on financed or leased vehicles. A deductible applies to collision and comprehensive claims, and a higher deductible generally lowers the premium.
Full Coverage vs. Minimum Coverage Cost
Minimum coverage costs less because it only pays for damage you cause to other people and property. It does not repair your own vehicle. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive, which is why the premium rises.
Lemonade
Your location affects the price of full coverage, even before your personal details are considered.
Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates
Several factors shape what you pay. Your driving record matters most, because accidents and violations signal higher risk to insurers. Your vehicle's make, model, age, and repair costs also play a role. Your annual mileage, the coverage limits you select, and the deductible you choose all change the total.
Insurers also weigh where you live, how often you file claims, and whether you qualify for discounts. Reviewing these factors with an agent can reveal which ones you can control.
How Your State and Credit Score Change Your Premium
Your state sets part of the baseline. Geography can move a premium considerably before your personal details are considered. Your state's rate level is one of the factors insurers weigh when setting your price.
State rules also change what you are allowed to buy and how your rate is set. Every state sets minimum liability requirements, and those minimums vary widely (Table Archive). A full coverage policy in a state with low minimums may still leave you underinsured if you cause a serious crash, because the state minimum is a floor, not a recommendation. Some states also restrict how insurers can use credit information, which is why the credit-score effect below is not uniform across the country.
How credit score changes the monthly number. Credit-based insurance scoring is used in most states as one rating factor among several. The effect is larger than most drivers expect. Credit can affect the price of the same coverage, and the exact impact depends on the carrier, the state, and the rest of your profile.
A useful way to think about it: a credit score improvement of roughly 100 points is often associated with a meaningful drop in premium, but the size of that drop varies by carrier and by state. If your credit has improved since you last shopped, re-shopping is one of the few moves that can lower your full coverage premium without changing your coverage at all.
The gap between state minimums and full coverage. This is the part most cost articles skip. State minimum liability limits are frequently far below what a serious accident actually costs. If you injure another driver and the claim exceeds your liability limit, you are personally responsible for the difference, and that difference can reach into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The right limit is not the state minimum; it is a limit that reflects your assets and income, because those are what a judgment can reach. A driver with significant savings or home equity should generally carry limits well above the minimum, and an umbrella policy is the common tool for covering the gap above the auto policy.
What you can and cannot control. You cannot change your state's rate level or its credit-scoring rules. You can change your credit profile over time, your coverage limits, your deductible, your vehicle choice, and your carrier. Reviewing these factors with an agent can reveal which ones you can control.
Watch out: dropping to state minimum limits to lower a full coverage premium can leave you exposed to a claim that exceeds the limit.
How to Lower Car Insurance Premiums
Start by comparing quotes with identical coverage limits and deductibles. Ask about multi-car discounts, and consider bundling home and auto insurance if you own a home. Our guide on 5 Ways to Insure Multiple Cars on One Policy explains how bundling vehicles can reduce your overall premium. You can also review the Home and Auto Insurance Savings page to see how combining policies may simplify your coverage.
Raising your deductible often lowers the premium, but make sure you can afford the higher out-of-pocket cost if you file a claim.
The article's main levers for lowering a full coverage premium can be scanned at a glance.
Lever | What to do | Key note |
Quote comparison | Compare identical limits and deductibles | Same payment plan on both sides |
Multi-car discount | Ask about bundling vehicles | Lowers overall premium |
Home and auto bundle | Combine policies with one carrier | Simplifies coverage |
Higher deductible | Raise the deductible | Only if you can afford the out-of-pocket cost |
Getting a Full Coverage Quote for Your Vehicle
To get an accurate full coverage quote, gather your vehicle identification number, driving history, and current policy details. You can compare car insurance quotes online to see rates from multiple carriers in one place. You can reach us directly through the ENLACES DIRECTOS page before you start.
Many drivers also benefit from an independent broker who can compare several carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does full coverage car insurance cost?
Full coverage typically costs substantially more than liability-only insurance because it adds collision and comprehensive coverage. The difference depends on your vehicle's value, your driving record and the deductible you choose. Comparing quotes with the same limits and deductibles gives the most accurate picture of the added cost.
Does the cost of full coverage vary by state?
Yes. Location affects premiums, so your own rate depends on local conditions. Your own rate also depends on local claims costs, traffic density and state requirements.
How does credit score affect car insurance?
Many insurers use credit-based insurance scores as one factor in setting premiums, so a lower score can raise the cost of full coverage. Rules vary by state, and some states limit or prohibit this practice. Checking your credit report for errors and paying bills on time are steps that can help over time. Ask your agent how credit factors into your specific quote.
When is full coverage car insurance worth the cost?
Full coverage is generally worth considering when your vehicle has a meaningful value, when you have a car loan or lease that requires it, or when you could not afford to replace the car after a collision or theft. If your car is old and worth little, paying for collision and comprehensive may cost more than the repairs you would be protected against. Compare the annual premium difference with your vehicle's current value to decide.
Ready to compare full coverage options? Kathy Gil Insurance Agency helps individuals, families, and small businesses find tailored auto, home, life, and commercial coverage. Contact us for a personalized quote.
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