Getting full coverage car insurance doesn’t always mean you must pay sky-high premiums. Offering full protection while keeping costs low is possible — if you know how insurers calculate rates and choose wisely. In this guide, you’ll learn what “full coverage” really covers, why prices vary widely, and actionable strategies to find cheap full coverage car insurance that still gives you solid protection.
Also Read: Best Car Insurance Quotes: The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money in 2025
What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance?
“Full coverage” isn’t a formal term in every policy, but it usually refers to a combination of three main coverages:
- Liability insurance — covers damage or injury you cause to others.
- Collision coverage — covers repair or replacement of your own vehicle if you crash.
- Comprehensive coverage — covers non-collision damage (theft, fire, vandalism, flood, natural disasters, etc.). forbes.com+2Compare.com+2
If your policy includes liability + collision + comprehensive, you effectively have full-coverage insurance. forbes.com+1
Full coverage is worth it when:
- Your car is valuable or new.
- You face risks like theft, flood, vandalism, or accidents.
- You want peace of mind and want repair or replacement costs covered. forbes.com+2Compare.com+2
Why Full Coverage Often Costs More — and How to Make It Cheap
Why It Costs More
Full coverage typically costs more than liability-only coverage because the insurer is agreeing to cover more scenarios — damage to your own car, non-accident damage, theft, etc. Digit Insurance+2nerdwallet.com+2
According to recent data: for a “good driver,” full coverage averages around US $2,149–$2,301 per year — substantially more than liability-only insurance. forbes.com+1
Costs can spike higher depending on many factors (car value, driving history, location, coverage limits, deductibles, etc.). forbes.com+2thezebra.com+2
How to Get Cheap Full Coverage Without Sacrificing Protection
Here are the main levers you can use to reduce your full coverage premium while keeping essential coverage:
- Raise your deductible. A higher deductible reduces premium cost — insurers pay less out-of-pocket in a claim so they charge less. Carinsurance.com+2cnbc.com+2
- Choose a modest car. Cars that are older, with lower market value, and cheaper to repair or replace generally cost less to insure. Digit Insurance+2thezebra.com+2
- Maintain a clean driving record. No accidents or traffic violations dramatically lowers risk in insurers’ eyes — leading to lower premiums. forbes.com+2Insurance.com+2
- Limit annual mileage or usage. Driving less reduces the chance of accidents, which insurers reward with lower premiums. forbes.com+1
- Shop around and compare quotes. Different insurers weigh risk factors differently — comparing quotes from several providers often yields significantly different prices. nerdwallet.com+2MoneyGeek.com+2
- Leverage available discounts and bundling. Many insurers offer discounts for safe driving, bundling auto with home or other insurance, paying annually vs monthly, or having certain safety features. forbes.com+2MoneyGeek.com+2
- Re-evaluate coverage on older cars. If a car’s market value is low, dropping collision/comprehensive may be financially reasonable (though this reduces protection). forbes.com+2Compare.com+2
What “Cheap Full Coverage” Looks Like (And What to Watch Out For)
Realistic Expectations
- “Cheap full coverage” often doesn’t mean ultra-low price. It means getting a reasonable premium for full protection, not the cheapest possible insurance.
- For example, full coverage average premiums are several times higher than minimum liability-only policies. nerdwallet.com+2forbes.com+2
- Getting cheap full coverage typically involves tradeoffs — higher deductibles, older/less expensive cars, fewer optional add-ons.
Also Read: Business Liability Insurance: Complete Guide for Protecting Your Business
Red Flags of “Too Cheap” Policies
When a full coverage policy looks too cheap, be cautious:
- Maybe the coverage limits are low (weak protection).
- Deductibles may be extremely high (which could make claims costly).
- Some important coverages or add-ons (like comprehensive, theft protection, or uninsured-motorist) might be missing despite claiming “full coverage.”
- Insurer might have poor claim service or unreliable coverage.
Smart Strategies to Find Cheap Full Coverage Insurance (2025 Edition)
Here’s a step-by-step plan to secure full coverage while controlling costs:
- List what you need — liability + collision + comprehensive. Decide what’s essential (e.g. theft, flood, natural disaster, total-loss coverage, roadside assistance).
- Gather car & driver info — car make/model/year, estimated annual mileage, driving history, location, safety features.
- Use multiple insurers/comparison tools — get 3–5 quotes at once. Insurers differ a lot in how they weigh risk.
- Set a higher deductible — e.g. $500–$1000 (or local equivalent) to lower your premium. But ensure you can afford the deductible if you make a claim.
- Check for discounts — safe driver, bundling, low mileage, anti-theft, paying annual lump sum, defensive driving courses, etc.
- Re-evaluate annually — your needs, the car’s value, and available market rates change over time.
- Consider usage-based or pay-per-mile plans — some insurers base costs on actual driving behavior (less driving, safer driving = lower premium). This may be ideal if you don’t drive much. forbes.com+2Insurance.com+2
Who Should Consider Cheap Full Coverage — And Who Might Skip It
👍 Ideal for Full Coverage
- Drivers with new or mid-value cars — because repair/replacement cost is high.
- Owners of vehicles in theft- or accident-prone areas (urban centers, high-theft zones, flood/hail risk).
- Those who rely heavily on their car and want peace of mind (commuters, families, daily drivers).
- People who want comprehensive protection (accidents, theft, natural disasters, vandalism).
🚘 Maybe Skip (or Downgrade) Full Coverage
- If your car is very old / low market value — sometimes insurance cost outweighs car value.
- If you drive rarely or just short distances — liability-only or minimal coverage may suffice.
- If your priority is lowest monthly expense, and you can accept higher risk or handle repair costs yourself.
Conclusion — Full Coverage Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Full coverage car insurance offers important protection — but it doesn’t always need to be expensive. By understanding how premiums are calculated, making wise choices (in deductible, car type, coverage level), leveraging discounts, and shopping smart, you can secure cheap full coverage that balances protection and affordability.