What is “full coverage car insurance”?
When people use the term “full coverage car insurance,” they generally mean your car is protected from loss or damage in addition to any state required coverages. This means you’ll not only have coverage to help pay for someone else’s injuries or repairs but also to help pay for repairs to your own vehicle.
Remember, because it’s not an actual insurance term you won’t see the term “full coverage” on your auto policy. When you get a car insurance quote, you’ll instead see a list of auto insurance coverages available in your state. Make certain you understand what each coverage protects to be able to drive with peace of mind.
Learn about car insurance coverages with our Coverage Wizard
If you’re looking for “full coverage car insurance” it’s best to learn what coverages are required in your state as well as the coverages that you may need to protect your specific assets and property. This may vary from person to person. Our Coverage Wizard is just the tool to unlock the information you need.
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Your car insurance is only as good as its coverage. Learn about the various protections you might need on your policy.
What does “full coverage car insurance” actually mean?
Generally, the term “full coverage car insurance” refers to a policy that meets the state’s requirements for liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Liability helps pay for damages or injuries you cause to others if you are at-fault in an accident. Comprehensive coverage helps protect your car from damage caused by events other than accidents, such as theft, fire, vandalism, and hail. Collision coverage helps protect your car from damage caused by accidents, regardless of who is at fault.
Liability coverage is mandatory in many states, while comprehensive and collision are optional. However, lenders and leasing companies will have their own rules around which coverages they require.
The term “full coverage car insurance” is not an official insurance term and can mean different things to different people and insurers. When you get a quote, you’ll see the coverages listed that are available to you depending on your state and other requirements. Instead of asking your car insurance company if you have full coverage car insurance, ask whether you have the right coverages.
Learn more about car insurance at Elephant
Why get “full coverage car insurance”?
There are a few reasons why you might want to get what is a combination of coverages that are sometimes called “full coverage car insurance”.
- To protect your financial interests. If you’re in an accident, full coverage insurance may help pay to repair your car, regardless of who is at fault. This can save you a lot of money, especially if your car is a newer model.
- To meet your lender’s requirements. If you have a financed car, your lender may require you to have insurance to protect the value of the car from damage or loss. This is because they want to protect their investment in your car.
- To give you peace of mind. Knowing that your car is protected in the event of an accident can give you peace of mind. This is especially important if you have a lot of equity in your car or if you rely on your car for transportation.
Car insurance coverage options at a glance
| Type of Coverage | Required or Optional |
|---|---|
| Liability Coverage | Required in most states |
| Bodily Injury Liability | Required in most states |
| Property Damage Liability | Required in most states |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Typically optional (may be required by lender if you lease or finance your vehicle.) |
| Collision Coverage | Typically optional (may be required by lender if you lease or finance your vehicle.) |
| Medical Payments Coverage/Personal Injury Protection | Required in some states |
| Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage | Required in some states |
| Rental Reimbursement Coverage | Optional |
| Roadside Assistance | Optional |
| Loan/Lease Payoff | Optional |
Liability coverage
Liability coverage is a “third-party coverage”, meaning it helps cover other people (not you) for their injuries and property damage if you cause an accident. Even though it doesn’t cover your injuries or damaged property, liability coverage does help protect you from being financially on the hook if you cause an accident.
Liability coverage is broken out into two main types – bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD).
Learn more about liability coverage at Elephant
Comprehensive and collision coverage
Comprehensive and collision are both optional coverages that will help pay to repair your vehicle if it’s damaged, but each protects you against different kinds of damage. Comprehensive insurance helps protect your car from damage caused by things other than collisions such as theft, fire, vandalism, and hail. This is sometimes referred to as “other than collision” coverage. Collision coverage helps protect your car from damage caused by collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault.
Both comprehensive and collision are subject to deductibles, which is an amount you pay before the insurance policy pays. Deductibles typically range from $50 to $2,500 and are set by you. Higher deductibles lower the price of your premium, while a lower deductible increases the price of your premium.
Adding comprehensive and collision coverage to your liability coverage is sometimes called “full coverage car insurance,” though this is not an official insurance term.
Learn more about comprehensive and collision at Elephant
Medical payments coverage
Regardless of who is at fault, MedPay and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage can help pay for medical, hospital, and funeral expenses. This coverage can work in tandem with your health insurance.
Learn more about medical payments coverage at Elephant
Personal injury protection (PIP)
In some states, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage substitutes for medical payments and generally covers everything MedPay covers, plus it can also help cover non-medical expenses, such loss of essential services, funeral expenses, and reimburse you for lost wages related to your accident.
Learn more about personal injury protection at Elephant
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Let’s say you’re in an accident. The at-fault driver’s insurance is supposed to pay for your car repairs and medical costs for you and your passengers. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, or not enough insurance, you may be responsible for paying the difference. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will help cover the gap between your costs and the at-fault driver’s ability to pay.
Learn more about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at Elephant
Rental car reimbursement coverage
If your covered vehicle is not drivable or needs repairs following a comprehensive or collision claim, rental reimbursement will help pay for a rental car. This coverage is only available following a covered claim. Policy limits and exclusions apply. Rental reimbursement generally doesn’t require a deductible.
Learn more about rental car reimbursement coverage at Elephant
Realtime roadside assistance
Digitally track your service provider from dispatch to arrival.
If you’re involved in an accident or have had a breakdown, real-time roadside assistance coverage is here to provide services to help you get back on the road and keep you informed along the way.
Learn more about realtime roadside assistance at Elephant
Loan/lease payoff
If your car is totaled and you are “upside down” or “underwater” on your loan (terms for when you owe more than the value of the car), then loan/lease payoff coverage can help offset the remaining amount due on the loan/lease (usually up to 25% of the actual cash value of the vehicle) if your car has been totaled in an accident or it’s been stolen. This coverage can be beneficial to carry on your policy if you are currently making payments on or leasing your vehicle.
Learn more about loan/lease payoff at Elephant
Find coverage in your state.
Find the right car insurance coverages for your state. Each state has its own unique requirements for car insurance and to make matters more complicated, the term “full coverage car insurance” can mean different things in different states. Check with your state insurance department for required coverages.
Get a quick car insurance quote today.
When you lease or finance your car, you will likely be required to carry Comprehensive and Collision in addition to the coverages required by your state in order to help protect your car in the event of damage due to an accident or an event. This is what is sometimes referred to as “full coverage car insurance.” Elephant can help guide you to the right coverages for you and may help save you money along the way with discounts.
Multi-car discount
Insuring more than one vehicle in your household? We have a discount for that. It’s called our Multi-Car Discount and it can add up to big savings fast.
Learn more about multi-car discount at Elephant
Early bird discount
If you’re currently insured, you can get rewarded for shopping early for your car insurance! Save up to 10% when you pay for your Elephant policy five days before you need it to begin.
Learn more about early bird discount at Elephant
Multi-policy discount
Save money and time when you purchase home or renters insurance and car insurance together. It’s simple: when you bundle policies with Elephant, you qualify for our Multi-Policy Discount.
Learn more about multi-policy discount at Elephant
View more car insurance discounts
Why Elephant car insurance?
The Elephant difference
We’re committed to helping you feel confident in your auto insurance choices by laying out your options in a way that makes sense—jargon-free and to the point. We also do our best to make your auto insurance a support system instead of a hassle.
Staff that cares
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is here for you! Our licensed and specialized insurance experts are here to help you find the right insurance coverage to fit your needs and stay within your budget.
Payment options designed for you
While no one likes to pay bills, we do our part to make it an easy, straightforward process. With online account access or the Elephant Mobile App, you can pay your bills online and edit your payment options at any time.
Claims team with your needs in mind
Filing a claim can be a hassle, but we try to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. We’re there for you every step of the way if you need to file a claim. You can use tools like our Claims Photo App to quickly share photos and documents related to your claim.
Filing a claim is easy at Elephant
Use your smartphone to simplify the process of filing a claim.
Submit claims with photos.
File your claim in a snap. Our photo appraisal makes the claims process a breeze, just snap photos of the damage using our Claims Photos App and let us do the rest.
Claims team with your needs in mind
In addition to our Claims Photo App, our phone agents and online claims process help take the stress out of filing to get you the help when you need it.
If you need to file a claim, click here to get started.
It’s your information. Access it however and whenever you need it.
You’re always in control of your coverages, proof of insurance documents, and payments with the Elephant Mobile App or our online account access. If you have a question about whether you have “full coverage insurance,” we can help guide you to understanding what is meant by this unofficial insurance term with our Coverage Wizard or by speaking with an Elephant licensed agent.
You can manage your car insurance online and have control over your coverage and payment methods. Log into your account for easy access.
- Increase or decrease coverage amounts.
- Adjust your coverages as your needs change through the Elephant Mobile App or our online account access. You may encounter the term “full coverage insurance.” To find out what this term means, go to our Coverage Wizard before checking your policy through the Elephant Mobile App or online. Keep in mind, “full coverage insurance” is not an official insurance term.
Manage billing
Use the Elephant Mobile App or access your account online to view or pay your bill or change your payment methods. To see what else you can manage, log in to your account here.
Frequently asked questions about “full coverage car insurance”
Elephant can help guide you to the right coverage for you, including helping you navigate what is meant by the term “full coverage.” Our online Coverage Wizard and our licensed agents are available to answer your questions and get you the protection you want. The following questions may also help answer your questions about the term “full coverage car insurance.”
What does “full coverage” mean on a car?
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While not an official car insurance term, “full coverage car insurance” generally refers to a policy that meets the state’s minimum liability requirements plus comprehensive and collision coverage. Liability insurance helps pay for the property damage or injuries of the other party if you are at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage helps pay for repairs to your car caused by events other than collisions, such as theft, fire, vandalism, and hail. Collision coverage helps protect your car from damage caused by a collision with other vehicles or objects, regardless of who is at fault.
The term “car insurance with full coverage” can mean different things to different people and insurers because it’s not an official insurance term. When you get a quote, depending on the state you live in, you’ll see the coverage options and other requirements listed that are available to you. Rather than asking your car insurance company if you have “full coverage,” ask whether you have the right coverages.
How much is “full coverage insurance”?
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Adding comprehensive and collision coverage and other optional coverages will cost more than a liability-only policy. How much more depends on many factors, including the year, make, and model of the vehicle you want to protect, plus the deductible you select — the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage will be less if you choose a higher deductible.
It’s important to know that a policy with extra coverage can be more affordable than you might realize. To help Elephant offers many car insurance discounts that may help you save money while getting the right coverages for you.
What does the term “full coverage car insurance” consist of?
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While there is no formal definition of “full coverage car insurance,” it typically refers to car insurance that includes Liability insurance, Collision insurance, Comprehensive insurance, and other optional coverages. This means that it will help cover your car if it is damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It will also help cover your car if it is stolen or vandalized.
What is considered “full coverage car insurance” is typically more expensive than liability-only insurance, but it can be a wise investment if you want to help protect your financial interests. If you have a financed car, your lender may require you to have full coverage insurance.
What factors affect “full coverage car insurance” premiums?
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The cost of what is sometimes called “full coverage car insurance” varies depending on a number of factors, including your age, driving history, the make and model of your vehicle, and your state’s insurance laws and the specific coverages you choose. In general, “full coverage car insurance” is more expensive than liability-only insurance. However, the cost of “full coverage car insurance” can be worth it for the peace of mind and financial protection it provides.
What’s the difference between liability-only insurance and what is sometimes called “full coverage car insurance”?
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Liability insurance is the most basic type of car insurance. It helps protect you financially if you are responsible for causing an accident that injures or damages someone else’s property. Liability insurance can also help cover legal fees if you are sued because of an accident.
Adding comprehensive and collision insurance adds protection for damage or loss of your vehicle. Collision insurance helps cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle or the actual cash value if it is damaged in an accident. This can include damage to your vehicle’s body, engine, and other parts. Comprehensive insurance helps cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle if it is damaged by something other than a collision. This includes damage caused by fire, theft, vandalism, hail, and other covered events. Comprehensive insurance also typically has a deductible.
Get the peace of mind you need with full coverage car insurance from Elephant
We’re the friendly, trusted car insurance experts who are serious about protecting you.
We offer straightforward car insurance solutions that help save your hard-earned money and make it easy to connect with us. We provide tools and services to make it easy to find and use your auto insurance protection. Let us help you navigate the questions you might have around what is or is not “full coverage car insurance” by visiting our Coverage Wizard, starting a quote online, or speaking with one of our licensed agents.