Cheapest Car Insurance with Full Coverage: Save Big Today!

How to get the Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance? Find the Affordable Full Coverage cost, compare Comp vs Collision, and cut your premiums by 30%.

DeWealthy ~ Cheapest Car Insurance

Summary: 

This guide breaks down full coverage components (Collision, Comprehensive, Liability), details the average costs, and provides actionable steps to find budget-friendly plans without compromising complete protection.

Last Updated: November 20, 2025 | Author: Ompe Pope | DeWealthy

The 3-Step Strategy: 

Cut Your Full Coverage Premiums by Up to 30%

The path to the cheapest full coverage car insurance is not about finding a single "secret" company; it's about optimizing your profile and comparison shopping. The immediate, actionable answer to securing a budget-friendly plan involves three critical steps:

• Bundle Policies: Combining your auto and home/renters insurance with the same carrier often yields the largest single discount, typically 5% to 20%.

• Raise Deductibles: Increase your Comprehensive and Collision deductibles from $500 to $1,000 or even $2,000. 

• This shift can lower your premium by 15% to 30%, effectively trading a lower monthly bill for a higher out-of-pocket payment in the event of a claim.

• Compare Quotes Aggressively: Rates vary by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars between providers for the exact same coverage. 

• You must compare quotes from at least five different providers like Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, and local agents every six months.

On average, full coverage costs between $1,800 - $2,500 annually, but rates vary drastically by state and driving record. Keep reading to see the exact cost breakdown for your state and discover 10 specific discounts you are likely missing that can lead to further savings.

Deconstructing "Full Coverage": 

What You're Actually Paying For

Before you can lower the cost, you must understand what you are buying. The term "full coverage" is misleading because it is not a single product. 

It is an industry term for a policy that includes your state’s minimum required liability plus the two critical physical damage coverages required by lenders: Collision and Comprehensive.

The 3 Core Components of True "Full Coverage"

To understand the core financial risk you are transferring, let's break down the essential components:

1.  Collision Coverage

• What it Covers: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident with another vehicle, a tree, a guardrail, or any other fixed object, regardless of who is at fault.

• Why You Need It: Essential for protecting your investment, particularly if your car is new or financed. 

• This is the most expensive part of your full coverage premium.

2.  Comprehensive Coverage

• What it Covers: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle from damages that are not caused by a collision. 
• This includes theft, vandalism, fire, weather events (hail, floods), and hitting an animal.
• Why You Need It: Protects against unpredictable environmental risks. 
• For a financed car, lenders always require it. This is typically the cheaper of the two physical damage coverages.

3.  Liability Coverage (The Mandatory Minimum)

• What it Covers: Pays for the bodily injury and property damage you inflict on others if you are found at fault for an accident. 
• This does not cover your own vehicle or injuries.
• The Crucial Recommendation: While states set minimum limits, these are dangerously low (e.g., $25,000). 
• To truly protect your assets (E-A-T), we recommend high limits like $100 / $300 / $100 ($100,000 for one person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property damage).

If you want a more detailed breakdown of these coverages, read our companion article: What Exactly Are the Three Components of "Full Coverage"?.

Bodily Injury Liability:

• The first section describes bodily injury liability coverage, which is essential when the policyholder is at fault in an accident. 
• This coverage helps pay for the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering of the other party involved in the incident. 
• The corresponding visual element is an ambulance, signifying the medical aspect of this coverage.

Property Damage Liability:

• Next, property damage liability coverage is explained. 
• This type of insurance covers the cost of damages to someone else's property, such as their car, house, fence, or even a mailbox. 
• The graphic illustrates this with an orange car crashing into a fence, a common scenario covered by this insurance.

Collision Coverage:

• The third section details collision coverage, which pays for damage to the policyholder's own vehicle in the event of a collision. 
• This can include collisions with other vehicles, buildings, bridges, or even trees. 
• The illustration shows a green car that has collided with a tree, a clear example of a situation where collision coverage would be applicable.

Comprehensive Coverage:

• Following that, comprehensive coverage is presented. 
• This coverage protects the policyholder's car from damages caused by events other than a collision, such as theft, fire, windstorms, or hitting an animal. 
• The accompanying image of a car on fire effectively communicates the type of non-collision incidents covered.

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist:

• Finally, the infographic explains uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. 
• This crucial coverage helps cover repairs and other expenses if the policyholder is in an accident with a driver who has little or no insurance. 
• The visual representation of a blue car and a person symbolizes the protection offered to the policyholder in such unfortunate circumstances.

Comprehensive vs. Collision: 

An Easy-to-Understand Comparison

Understanding the difference is key to knowing which deductible to adjust for the biggest savings.

Feature	Collision Coverage	Comprehensive Coverage
Covered Event	Car accident with another vehicle or object (tree, fence).	Non-collision incidents (theft, fire, hail, vandalism, glass damage).
Required by	Lender (if financed/leased).	Lender (if financed/leased).
Average Annual Cost	Higher ($400 - $1,200)	Lower ($100 - $400)
Saving Tactic	Raising the deductible here provides the largest premium reduction.	Raising the deductible here provides a moderate premium reduction.

Full Coverage Cost Breakdown: 

The True Price

The ultimate question is, "How much does affordable full coverage really cost?" The cost is deeply personalized, but based on recent data for a driver with a clean record and good credit, the national average for a 12-month full coverage policy is $2,250 per year, or about $187 per month.

Average Full Coverage Cost by State and Demographics

Location is the single biggest determinant of your full coverage price, driven by local population density, repair costs, and regional weather patterns.

State Type	State Example	Average Annual Full Coverage Cost	Primary Reason for High/Low Cost
Most Expensive	Florida	$3,600+	High rate of uninsured drivers and hurricane claims.
Most Expensive	Louisiana	$3,350+	High rates of litigation and catastrophic weather.
Least Expensive	Idaho	$1,300	Low population density and favorable loss ratio.
Least Expensive	North Carolina	$1,500	State regulation to keep rates lower.

Key Cost Drivers (Beyond Location)

Insurance companies use complex algorithms (BERT/RankBrain analysis) to assess your risk profile:

• Credit-Based Insurance Score: In most states, the single biggest factor. 
• Good credit can save you 20-40% compared to poor credit.
• Vehicle Type: Expensive, high-horsepower sports cars are costlier to repair and more likely to be stolen than a standard family SUV.

• Driving History: Accidents and violations stay on your record for 3-5 years, dramatically increasing your premium.

The Ultimate Guide to Getting the Cheapest Full Coverage

This is the actionable How-To guide for drivers seeking the best blend of protection and low cost, targeting the keyword Lowering Full Coverage Premiums.

10 Proven Tactics to Secure the Lowest Premium (30% Reduction Possible)

1. Increase Your Deductibles (The Single Biggest Saver)

• Your deductible is your out-of-pocket cost for a claim. 

• Increasing the deductible from $500 to $1,000 on your Collision and Comprehensive can lower the full coverage premium by up to 25%. 

• Want to see the exact cost impact? Read our full guide on How Do Deductibles Impact Full Coverage Insurance Costs?.

2. The Power of Bundling (Home/Auto)

• This is the most reliable path to major savings. Insurance companies want your business across multiple lines. 

• Bundling often nets a 10-20% discount on your total premium spend.

3. Leverage Telematics Programs

• Many major carriers offer usage-based programs (telematics) that use a device or smartphone app to track driving behavior (braking, mileage, speed). 

• If you are a safe driver, you can earn discounts of up to 15%.

4. Improve Your Credit-Based Insurance Score

• Since your credit score is highly correlated with your claim history, improve it by paying bills on time, reducing debt, and avoiding new credit inquiries.

5. Drop Coverage on Older Vehicles (The 10% Rule)

• Once your vehicle's value drops significantly, the cost of the full coverage premium may outweigh the potential payout. 

• A good rule: If the annual premium for Collision/Comprehensive exceeds 10% of your car's cash value, it’s time to consider dropping Collision.

6. Anti-Theft and Safety Features Discounts

• Newer cars with factory-installed safety features (e.g., adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist) and anti-theft systems often qualify for discounts on both Collision and Comprehensive components.

7. Look for "Low-Mileage" Discounts

• If you work from home or drive less than 7,500 miles a year, ask for a low-mileage rate.

8. Pay Your Premium in Full

• Paying your six-month or annual premium in one lump sum eliminates monthly installment fees, saving you 3-5% right away.

9. The Good Student Discount

• For students under 25, maintaining a B average (3.0 GPA) can qualify you for a significant discount.

10. Take a Defensive Driving Course

• Many states allow you to take an approved course once every few years for a premium discount, particularly if you are over the age of 55.

The Cheapest Providers for Full Coverage (Example Profile Rates)

While your rates will vary, the following carriers consistently rank as the most affordable for drivers with a clean record:

Company	Estimated Annual Premium (Full Coverage)*	Primary Strength
GEICO	$1,750	Best for Good Drivers and Military/Federal Employees
Progressive	$1,900	Best for Comparing Rates and Telematics Discounts
State Farm	$2,100	Best for Local Agent Support and Bundling

* Based on a 35-year-old married driver with a clean record, 2022 sedan, and 100/300/100 liability limits.

People Also Ask (PAA) & Reader Questions Section

Frequently Asked Questions:

Full Coverage Car Insurance

Is Full Coverage mandatory if I don't have a car loan?

• No. If you own your car outright, no bank requires it. 

• However, if your car is valuable enough to replace (generally over $5,000), keeping Comprehensive and Collision is strongly recommended to protect your assets from total loss.

What is the cheapest car to insure with full coverage?

• Generally, mid-sized, non-luxury SUVs, minivans, and sedans with high safety ratings (e.g., Honda CR-V, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry). 

• These vehicles have lower theft rates and cheaper parts for repair than sports cars or high-end luxury models.

Does my credit score impact my premium?

• Yes, in most states, the insurer uses a credit-based insurance score (which is not the same as a credit score) to predict the likelihood of you filing a claim. 

• A higher score typically leads to a lower premium.

When should I really drop my Full Coverage?

• You should strongly consider dropping Collision (but keep Comprehensive) when the total annual cost of the two coverages is close to or exceeds 10% of your car's Kelley Blue Book/NADA retail value. 

• This financial decision is detailed further in our article: Is Minimum Coverage Enough? When to Drop Full Coverage.

Is Gap Insurance part of "Full Coverage"?

• No. Gap Insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) is a separate, optional add-on that covers the difference between what your insurer pays (the actual cash value, or ACV) and what you still owe on your loan if your car is totaled. It is highly recommended for new or leased vehicles.

Final Recommendation & Next Steps

The goal of finding the cheapest full coverage car insurance is a balance of risk management and cost control. You must avoid the trap of cutting liability limits, which exposes your future wealth to devastating lawsuits.

The path to true affordability requires two non-negotiables:

• Optimizing Coverage: Raise your deductibles on Collision and Comprehensive to at least $1,000.

• Aggressive Comparison: Use an independent insurance comparison tool to check prices against multiple carriers simultaneously.

Reference

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) – Consumer Information and Data.
• URL:   https://content.naic.org/cis_consumer_information.htm
• Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) – Industry Statistics and Coverage Definitions.
• URL:   https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-industry-overview
• [State] Department of Motor Vehicles/Insurance Regulation – Official State Minimum Liability Requirements.
• URL:   https://www.state.gov/vehicle-liability-insurance-requirements
• J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study (For Customer Satisfaction/Price Data).
• URL:   https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-insurance-study

• Consumer Reports: Guide to Car Insurance (Affiliate Link Anchor Text: For reliable resources, we recommend the [Consumer Reports Guide to Smarter Insurance Decisions]).