Does Full Coverage Include Comprehensive and Collision
Full coverage isn't one specific product. It's liability plus comprehensive and collision, and the details depend on your policy.
Yes, full coverage means you have comprehensive and collision
When an insurer or a dealer says full coverage, they mean your policy has liability coverage plus comprehensive and collision. Liability pays for damage you cause to others. Comprehensive and collision pay for damage to your own car.
There's no law that defines full coverage, so the exact mix can vary by insurer. If you want to know exactly what you have, look at your policy declarations page. It lists each coverage by name, not by the label full coverage.
Why your lender or your car's value matters here
If you have a loan or a lease, the lender usually requires comprehensive and collision until the loan is paid off. That's not optional, and dropping either one would put you in breach of the loan agreement.
Once your car is paid off, you get to decide. This is where age and the car's value start to matter. If your car is older and worth less, the payout from a comprehensive or collision claim may not be much after your deductible. Some drivers in that position choose to carry only liability and cover repairs themselves.
There's no age at which you're required to drop or keep these coverages. It comes down to what your car is worth and what you'd do if it were totaled or badly damaged. Ask your insurer for your car's current estimated value if you're trying to decide.
What comprehensive and collision each actually pay for
Collision covers damage from a crash, whether you hit another car, a guardrail, or a tree. It applies regardless of who caused the accident.
Comprehensive covers damage from things other than a collision. That includes theft, vandalism, fire, a cracked windshield, hail, flooding, and hitting an animal. The two coverages are sold together, but they answer to different kinds of events.
Each one has its own deductible, and they don't have to match. Check your declarations page to see what you're paying for each, and whether raising one deductible while lowering the other makes sense for you.
Questions people ask about this
Is full coverage required by law?
No state requires full coverage. States require liability insurance, which pays for damage you cause to others. Comprehensive and collision are added on top, usually because a lender requires them or because the driver wants that protection for their own car.
Does full coverage include rental car reimbursement?
Not unless you added it. Rental reimbursement and roadside assistance are separate coverages you buy on top of liability, comprehensive, and collision. Check your declarations page or ask your insurer whether you already have them.
Should I drop comprehensive and collision on an older car?
It depends on what your car is worth and what you can afford to repair or replace out of pocket. Ask your insurer for your car's current value, then compare that to what you'd pay in premium plus deductible over a year.
Does comprehensive cover a windshield crack?
Yes, a cracked or chipped windshield is typically a comprehensive claim since it usually results from something other than a collision. Some insurers handle glass claims differently, including waiving the deductible, so ask your insurer how they handle glass specifically.
Why did my full coverage premium go up at renewal?
It could be your car's value, your driving record, where you live, or your insurer's overall rate changes. The declarations page from your old and new policy will show you exactly which coverage changed in price.
See what comprehensive and collision would cost from insurers in your area.
Pull out your current declarations page and find the lines for comprehensive and collision. Note the deductible on each and check whether you still have a loan or lease that requires them. If you're paid off, ask your insurer for your car's current estimated value so you can weigh that against what you're paying for those two coverages. Then compare quotes to see whether another insurer offers the same coverage for less, or whether adjusting a deductible changes your premium in a way that makes sense for you.
