Updated July 2026
What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage car insurance is an industry term for a policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage together. Liability pays for damage you cause to others. Collision covers your vehicle after an accident regardless of fault. Comprehensive covers non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, hail, or hitting a deer. No single policy labeled 'full coverage' exists — it's a bundled package of these three core coverage types.
- You rear-end a stopped car at a red light. The other driver has $8,000 in vehicle damage and $15,000 in medical bills. Your liability coverage pays the other driver's $23,000 in damages up to your policy limits. Your collision coverage pays to repair your own car, minus your deductible. Without collision coverage, you pay for your own repairs out of pocket.
- A severe hailstorm causes $6,500 in dents and broken glass across your vehicle's hood, roof, and windshield. Your comprehensive coverage pays the repair cost minus your deductible. Liability and collision coverage do not apply because no collision occurred and no other party was involved. Without comprehensive coverage, you pay the full $6,500.
- An uninsured driver runs a stop sign and totals your car. The vehicle is worth $18,000. Your collision coverage pays the $18,000 actual cash value minus your deductible, regardless of the other driver's insurance status. Your liability coverage does not apply because you caused no damage. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage, if you carry it, may also apply and waive your deductible in some policies.
Who Needs Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage makes sense if you financed or leased your vehicle, because your lender requires it until the loan is paid off. It's also worth carrying if your car is worth more than $4,000 and you cannot afford to replace it out of pocket after a total loss. Drivers with at-fault accident history benefit because collision coverage pays for their own repairs regardless of fault.
Compare your vehicle's actual cash value to the annual cost of collision and comprehensive coverage plus your deductible. If the coverage costs more than 10 percent of your car's value per year, and you have savings equal to the car's value, liability-only coverage may be the better financial decision. If you cannot replace the car without a payout, keep full coverage.
How Much Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance Cost?
Full coverage in Ohio typically adds $85 to $180 per month compared to liability-only policies, depending on your vehicle value, deductible, and driving record. Annual cost ranges from $1,020 to $2,160 above the liability-only baseline.
- Vehicle value and age — newer and more expensive cars cost more to insure because collision and comprehensive payouts are higher.
- Deductible amount — choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 lowers your premium by 15 to 25 percent but increases your out-of-pocket cost per claim.
- Driving record — at-fault accidents and speeding tickets raise collision coverage premiums more than comprehensive premiums because they predict future collision risk.
- Zip code — urban areas with higher theft and vandalism rates increase comprehensive premiums, while high-traffic areas raise collision premiums.
- Credit score — Ohio allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores, which can raise full coverage premiums by 20 to 50 percent for drivers with poor credit.
- Annual mileage — drivers who commute long distances or drive more than 15,000 miles per year pay higher collision premiums due to increased accident exposure.