Car insurance rates can vary based on several factors. Learn how to get cheap full coverage auto insurance in your state, even for high-risk drivers.
The Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance for 2021
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- Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance
While full coverage may impact your monthly rate compared to liability-only coverage, the addition of comprehensive and collision coverage offers broader protection for your vehicle. Comprehensive auto insurance provides coverage for glass damage, damage caused by weather, vandalism, theft and collision with an animal. Collision coverage will pay for damage to your vehicle caused by an accident, even if you’re at fault.
The cost for full coverage car insurance varies, so it’s best to get a personalized quote to get the best cheap full coverage in your state.
Key Takeaways
While there is no single definition of full coverage auto insurance, it usually packages basic liability insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage.
If you have a luxury vehicle or are making payments on your car, full coverage can help pay for repairs from an at-fault accident, weather damage, theft or other scenarios.
GEICO, State Farm and USAA have the most affordable rates for full coverage car insurance for the average driver.
Which Companies Have the Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance?
We analyzed the largest auto insurance companies across all 50 states to find the nine companies with the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates. Each of these companies offers auto insurance coverage in at least 30 states across the U.S. Currently, the average cost across all companies for full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage with liability limits of 50/100/50, is $1,270 per year. Comparing the average price for this mid-level coverage, the three lowest-cost companies are:
GEICO
- The annual premium for the average driver is $941 with GEICO
- Customers could save $329 per year compared to the average cost of full coverage auto insurance
State Farm
- State Farm customers pay an average of $1,114 per year for full coverage auto insurance
- Drivers insured by State Farm could pay $156 less per year than the average cost of comprehensive and collision coverage from other companies.
USAA
- With an average premium of $817 per year, USAA offers the most affordable rates for comprehensive and collision
- Drivers who are insured by USAA could save $453 per year compared to the average cost of full coverage auto insurance
- USAA only provides policies to military members, veterans and military families
While these rates are the average, they may not reflect the lowest price each customer will receive. It’s best to compare quotes from different auto companies using your personalized factors to determine which offers the best cheap full coverage car insurance.
Average Annual Car Insurance Rates
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Rates with these prices are provided based on a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record. Many factors influence car insurance rates, including whether you chose liability-only or full coverage auto insurance, so it’s best to get car insurance quotes online based on your individual factors.
Compare Auto Insurance Rates
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your car insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance After Getting a Ticket
Accidents and tickets on your driving record could increase the cost of full coverage car insurance in your state, reducing your chances of getting cheap auto insurance rates. When comparing the average annual premium for full coverage insurance with 50/100/50 liability limits and comprehensive and collision coverage, the cost increase with a ticket is $759 per year.
GEICO
On average, GEICO offers the lowest full coverage rates for drivers with a ticket on their record. GEICO policyholders with a clean driving record can expect to pay $324 less per year on comprehensive and collision coverage than those with a ticket. Still, GEICO's average full coverage rate of $1,265 is the most affordable for most drivers when compared to other companies.
Average Annual Insurance Rates With a Ticket
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For drivers with a ticket who want 50/100/50 liability limit coverage with comprehensive and collision coverage, USAA came in as the lowest-cost company for these coverages, costing an average of $939 per year. This is $122 more expensive per year than not having a ticket. However, USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families, so GEICO may be the most affordable choice for most drivers. GEICO has an average annual rate of $1,265 for drivers with a ticket, which is $324 higher than their average rate with a clean driving record.
Rates will vary widely based on the state you live in, the type of ticket received and other personalized factors. Getting an individual quote for these auto coverages will help determine which company is best for cheap car insurance.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance After an Accident
If you are involved in an accident, it could affect your chances of getting cheap full coverage car insurance rates. While not all accidents and claims will raise your rates, you should expect rates to adjust if you are involved in an accident. When comparing rates for the same 50 companies using 50/100/50 liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, the average rate increase is $1,130 more per year.
State Farm
With an accident on their record, drivers insured by State Farm can expect to pay an average of $320 more for full coverage insurance than if they had a clean driving record. However, with an average premium of $1,434 after an accident, State Farm provides some of the lowest full coverage auto insurance rates for most drivers.
Average Annual Insurance Rates With an Accident
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When quoting the average cost, the two lowest-cost companies for these coverages with an accident are USAA and State Farm. The average rate increase for USAA is $419 per year. For State Farm, the average rate increase is $320 per year.
Being labeled as a high-risk driver can be costly, but you can and should still get multiple quotes to ensure you get the best auto insurance rates for which you qualify.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance With Increased Coverage Amounts
Increasing auto coverage from 50/100/50 to 100/300/100 may cost more, but it also provides broader protection if you cause injuries or property damage in an accident. These higher limits include $50,000 more in property damage, $50,000 more per injured person and up to $200,000 more in additional bodily injury protection.
GEICO
In many cases, increasing your liability coverage is relatively affordable. State Farm customers pay an average of $106 more per year for 100/300/100 coverage compared to 50/100/50 coverage. With some of the lowest rates for most drivers, State Farm customers can expect to pay an average of $1,047 for 100/300/100 coverage.
Average Annual Rates for 100/300/100 Liability Coverage
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Expect to pay an average of 37.37% more for 100/300/100 coverage compared to 50/100/50. The two lowest-cost companies for 100/300/100 liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage are USAA and GEICO. These coverages cost $66 more in premium annually with USAA and $106 more with GEICO.
As you can see, rates can vary from company to company when comparing full coverage car insurance coverage. Getting personalized quotes will give you the true cost from each company when comparing liability car insurance limit changes.
The Best Full Coverage Car Insurance Company
You should consider more than just rates when buying a full coverage car insurance policy. You’ll want a company that combines savings with excellent customer service and claims processes. And you’ll want it to be financially stable so that you know your claims will be paid. MoneyGeek ranked GEICO as the best car insurance company of 2021.
GEICO
GEICO ranks as the best car insurance company for full coverage policies. It combines cheap rates with a strong customer service reputation and rock-solid financial stability.
How Much Is Full Coverage Car Insurance in Your State?
Where you live matters, especially for car insurance rates. To learn how to get cheap full coverage auto insurance coverage in your state, select your location below:
CaliforniaEsurance is the cheapest in CALos Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Irvine, Chula Vista, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Santa Rosa
District Of ColumbiaGEICO is the cheapest in DC
North CarolinaNationwide is the cheapest in NCCharlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville
TexasFarmers is the cheapest in TXHouston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Garland, Irving
CaliforniaEsurance is the cheapest in CALos Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Irvine, Chula Vista, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Santa Rosa
District Of ColumbiaGEICO is the cheapest in DC
North CarolinaNationwide is the cheapest in NCCharlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville
TexasFarmers is the cheapest in TXHouston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Garland, Irving
CaliforniaEsurance is the cheapest in CALos Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Irvine, Chula Vista, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Santa Rosa
District Of ColumbiaGEICO is the cheapest in DC
What Is Full Coverage Auto Insurance?
There is no single definition for full coverage car insurance, but it typically includes liability protection and comprehensive and collision coverage. Liability coverage protects the other person and property involved, while comprehensive and collision coverages protect your vehicle if it’s damaged.
Other coverages may be included in full coverage auto insurance, such as personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments, rental car coverage and roadside assistance. These additional coverages are considered optional and can be included in a quote for cost-comparison purposes.
How to Shop for the Cheapest Full Coverage Policy
One of the best ways to get cheap full coverage auto insurance is by shopping with several car insurance companies. Getting multiple personalized quotes to compare coverages doesn’t have to be difficult, and MoneyGeek can help. By comparing auto insurance rates and coverages, consumers can save up to 47%, even high-risk drivers.
To make the process easier, have the right information available when getting full coverage car insurance quotes. Here are some steps to take to get accurate auto quotes while shopping for car insurance:
1
Gather your information
To get an accurate quote, you'll typically need to enter your name, date of birth, address and driver’s license information for all household drivers, including yourself. You'll also need to know the year, make, model and VIN for each vehicle to be insured. Knowing your current coverages can help you find the best deal for full coverage.
2
Quote the same coverages
Whether you're comparing two or five different auto insurance companies, be consistent with the coverages you're using to compare. Use the same liability limits and comprehensive and collision deductibles to make an accurate comparison to find the best cheap full coverage car insurance.
3
Consider optional coverages
Add-ons can mean higher premiums, but they may be worth it to you. Accident forgiveness, gap insurance and rental car coverage are just a few of the options available. Optional coverages vary by company and may not be available to all customers.
MoneyGeek has analyzed rates across the board to help you find the best and cheapest full coverage car insurance in your state. The types of coverage offered by insurance providers vary, and that’s why it’s crucial to compare your own costs by getting customized quotes. Your individual situation and personalized needs are the best determining factors of how much you’ll pay for full coverage auto insurance. These tips and steps can give you a big head start in finding your best option.
What qualifies as a full coverage policy?
Not every insurer will define full coverage the same way. But it usually refers to policies that add comprehensive and collision insurance to the minimum liability insurance requirements mandated by your state. Comprehensive and collision insurance protects you against the cost of damages to your vehicle, on and off the road. Liability insurance protects you against the cost of damages to others when you’re at fault.
How much does full coverage car insurance cost compared to minimum coverage?
Across nine major insurance companies, the average cost of a full coverage policy is $1,232 per year. For those same insurers, the average cost of state-minimum car insurance is $709 per year. So buying a full coverage policy costs drivers an extra $500 per year, on average.
Who has the cheapest full coverage car insurance?
MoneyGeek's data finds that GEICO has the cheapest full coverage insurance with an average cost of $941 per year. But if you qualify for USAA you could get even more savings. Its policies cost an average of $817 per year for our sample driver.
Do I need full coverage car insurance?
If you leased or financed the purchase of your vehicle, your lender will probably require that you buy a full coverage policy. If you fully own your car, you aren’t required to buy comprehensive and collision insurance, but we recommend it if you have a valuable vehicle. Those with older vehicles may be best served by dropping the coverages. If you’re paying hundreds of dollars per year — plus the deductible — to cover the risk your car is totaled, you’ll want to make sure your car has enough value to justify that expense.
Expert Advice: Understanding Full Coverage Car Insurance
- Why should shoppers consider full coverage auto insurance over liability-only auto insurance?
- What coverage amounts do you recommend for most drivers?
Paul A. StockEconomics Professor at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Methodology
Average rates are calculated based on 50/100/50 comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. These figures use a sample driver profile of a 40-year-old male driving a Toyota Camry with no record of tickets or accidents. MoneyGeek also analyzed a similar persona to define average rates for drivers with a ticket or accident on their record and a driver who chose 100/300/100 coverage. Learn more about premium costs and MoneyGeek’s Methodology.
About the Author
Mandy Sleight has been a freelance writer and a licensed insurance producer since 2005. She has extensive knowledge of property and casualty insurance as well as life and health insurance. She writes on topics including insurance, sustainability, budgeting, nutrition and fitness.
