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Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.
For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Updated
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Table of contents
Full-coverage car insurance doesn’t have a standard definition — it instead refers to a combination of coverages. When you hear “full coverage,” it typically means the policy includes liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage. But the exact coverages can vary by state or company.
The national average rate for full-coverage car insurance is $195 per month, according to Compare.com data. COUNTRY Financial offers the cheapest full-coverage policy, with an average rate of $35 per month.
But how much you pay for full-coverage car insurance will depend on factors such as your insurance company, driving record, and where you live.
We’ll break down everything you need to know about full coverage, including where to find the cheapest rates and how to save even more.
Full-coverage car insurance usually includes comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance, but could also include personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
A full-coverage policy costs more than liability-only insurance but provides you with the most protection for your vehicle.
COUNTRY Financial, NJM, and Auto-Owners offer the cheapest full-coverage rates, on average.
The Cheapest Companies for Full-Coverage Car Insurance
Insurance rates can vary from one insurance company to the next because each insurer assesses risk differently.[1] Factors like your driving record, credit history, location, and age can all affect how much you pay.[2]
Plus, different companies cater to different types of drivers. For example, some companies, like The General, are willing to work with high-risk drivers, while others, like State Farm, may be better for drivers with a clean driving record.
That’s why comparison shopping is so important — receiving multiple quotes will help you find the best rates and coverage for your needs. With that in mind, the chart below shows the insurers with the cheapest average rates for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
National Full-Coverage Rates
COUNTRY Financial is the cheapest option overall, with an average monthly premium of just $35. But keep in mind that these are just averages, and your exact rate will depend on a variety of factors, like your vehicle and the state you live in.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance by State
Your location has a huge effect on your car insurance rates. Each state has unique rules for coverage requirements, assigning fault, and the ability to sue for damages, which affect the risk insurance companies take on when offering policies.
Similarly, rates can vary from one area to the next based on local claim frequencies, traffic patterns, and crime rates.
Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies for each state, according to Compare.com data.
Full-Coverage Rates by State
State | Average Monthly Premium | Cheapest Insurer |
---|---|---|
AL | $69 | Auto-Owners |
AZ | $74 | Auto-Owners |
AR | $61 | State Farm |
CA | $188 | Mercury |
CO | $93 | State Farm |
CT | $88 | State Farm |
DE | $81 | USAA |
FL | $88 | State Farm |
GA | $95 | Auto-Owners |
ID | $97 | Progressive |
IL | $60 | Auto-Owners |
IN | $56 | Auto-Owners |
IA | $40 | Auto-Owners |
KS | $113 | Root |
KY | $106 | Auto-Owners |
LA | $104 | State Farm |
ME | $75 | Progressive |
MD | $158 | USAA |
MA | $171 | Safeco |
MI | $109 | Auto-Owners |
MN | $128 | Safeco |
MS | $77 | State Farm |
MO | $56 | USAA |
MT | $undefined | undefined |
NE | $40 | Auto-Owners |
NV | $52 | COUNTRY Financial |
NH | $undefined | undefined |
NJ | $130 | NJM |
NM | $57 | State Farm |
NY | $167 | CSAA |
NC | $62 | Nationwide |
ND | $undefined | undefined |
OH | $47 | Mile Auto |
OK | $59 | State Farm |
OR | $75 | Mile Auto |
PA | $79 | Mile Auto |
RI | $undefined | undefined |
SC | $90 | USAA |
SD | $undefined | undefined |
TN | $45 | State Farm |
TX | $73 | State Farm |
UT | $94 | USAA |
VT | $undefined | undefined |
VA | $63 | Auto-Owners |
WA | $79 | Direct Auto |
DC | $154 | GEICO |
WV | $57 | State Farm |
WI | $46 | USAA |
MT | $undefined | undefined |
What Full-Coverage Car Insurance Includes
Full-coverage car insurance typically includes liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage to give you the most protection possible. Your full-coverage policy may also include certain optional coverages, depending on your coverage needs, insurer, and state.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of coverage that can make up a full-coverage policy.
Liability coverage: This includes bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. It pays for the other driver’s medical expenses and vehicle damages when you cause a car accident.
Collision coverage: This pays for your vehicle damages if you get into an accident with another car or object. It also provides coverage if a pothole damages your car.
Comprehensive coverage: This pays for damage to your vehicle from non-collision accidents like theft, vandalism, fire, and falling objects. It’ll also cover cracked or shattered windshields.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This protects you if someone without any coverage or enough coverage hits you, including if it’s a hit-and-run or a pedestrian incident.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: If you get into an accident, PIP coverage pays for your and your passengers’ injuries and medical bills, regardless of who caused the accident. It may also cover lost wages and funeral expenses. But it’s not available in every state.
Is Full-Coverage Car Insurance Worth It?
A full-coverage policy may be worth it, depending on your situation. While you must meet the minimum liability requirements in your state, full-coverage car insurance is optional — unless you lease or finance your car.
Otherwise, depending on your financial situation and the type of vehicle you own, full-coverage car insurance may be worth it.
For example, it makes the most sense to get full-coverage insurance if you have a newer vehicle. For example, if you have only liability coverage and get into a car crash, you’ll have to pay for your own vehicle repairs out of pocket. These costs can quickly add up, especially if you have an expensive vehicle with hard-to-find parts.
But if you have an older vehicle that you’ve paid off, liability-only insurance could make financial sense if you can afford to repair it on your own or it’s not worth much. For example, if your vehicle is worth only a couple of thousand dollars, the cost of your annual premiums could outweigh any payout you’d receive if you do get into an accident.[1]
If you’re unsure what kind of insurance you need, it’s a good idea to speak with a licensed insurance agent. They can evaluate your situation and make recommendations about the types of coverage you should consider.
Next, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of full coverage.
Full coverage pros and cons
Covers your vehicle damage: Unlike liability coverage, full-coverage car insurance protects your vehicle from accidents, theft, and weather-related damages.
Gives you peace of mind: Full coverage offers more protection in a variety of scenarios, which can provide more peace of mind.
Reduces out-of-pocket expenses: Full-coverage car insurance can help you avoid large out-of-pocket expenses, which can be a huge benefit if you don’t have a lot of savings.
More expensive: Full-coverage car insurance costs significantly more than liability coverage.
Requires a deductible: Full-coverage insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, but it won’t eliminate them entirely — you’ll still have to pay for your deductible.
May not be necessary: If you have a paid-off vehicle that’s not worth very much, full-coverage car insurance may not be worth the cost.
5 Ways to Get Cheaper Full-Coverage Car Insurance
If you decide that full-coverage car insurance makes the most sense for your situation, you can still reduce your car insurance costs. Here are five ways to get cheaper full coverage:
Increase your deductible: Your deductible is how you share risk with your insurance company, and the higher your deductible, the less you’ll pay for your monthly premiums. On the other hand, choosing a lower deductible can result in higher car insurance costs.
Bundle your policies: Most insurance companies will give you a discount for purchasing multiple policies. For example, you could earn a discount for bundling your auto, life, and home insurance policies together.
Take advantage of discounts: When you’re looking for auto insurance, always ask about any discounts the company offers. For instance, you could receive a discount for maintaining a good driving record or for taking a defensive driving course.
Improve your credit history: Most states allow insurance companies to look at your credit history to determine your rates. Drivers with good credit file fewer insurance claims, so improving your credit can help you qualify for lower auto insurance rates.4
Shop around: One of the best ways to find low car insurance rates is by shopping around and comparing quotes from at least three different insurers. You can contact a company’s customer service department directly to apply or use an online insurance-comparison tool.
Full-Coverage Car Insurance FAQs
Full-coverage auto insurance provides the most comprehensive protection for your vehicle. If you still have questions about how it works, the following answers may help.
Do you need gap insurance if you have full coverage?
It depends. If you have full-coverage car insurance, you may also want to consider gap insurance if you have a lease or loan on your vehicle. Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s actual cash value and what you currently owe on the loan.
What’s the average cost of full-coverage car insurance?
The nationwide average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $195 per month, according to our research. But the exact cost you receive can vary depending on your coverage, insurance company, and personal circumstances.
Is full-coverage car insurance required?
No. Full-coverage car insurance isn’t a legal requirement — you just need to meet your state’s minimum liability requirements. But if you take out an auto loan, most lenders will require you to purchase full coverage.
What company has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance?
COUNTRY Financial has the cheapest full-coverage car insurance on average, with an average monthly rate of $35, according to our data. But keep in mind that these rates are just averages, and your actual premiums may be higher or lower depending on your circumstances.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Jamie Johnson is a Kansas City-based personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also been featured on several of the top finance and business sites in the country, including Insider, Credit Karma, Bankrate, Rocket Mortgage, Fox Business, Quicken Loans, and The Balance.
For the past seven years, she’s dedicated more than 10,000 hours of research and writing to more than 2,000 articles about personal finance topics.
)
)
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.