What is Full Coverage Car Insurance?
Full coverage car insurance is a comprehensive policy that includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance is required by law, but collision and comprehensive insurance are optional. Here is what each type of coverage entails:
Liability Insurance: Liability insurance covers the other party's expenses if you cause an accident. This includes their medical bills, car repairs, and any other damages. The minimum coverage required by law in California is 15/30/5, which means:
$15,000 per person for bodily injury
$30,000 per accident for bodily injury
$5,000 per accident for property damage
Collision Insurance: Collision insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is particularly important if you have a newer or more expensive car.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle that are not caused by an accident, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters.
Why Do You Need Full Coverage Car Insurance?
While liability insurance is the minimum requirement in California, it only covers the other party's expenses in an accident. If you are at fault in a collision, liability insurance will not cover your own medical bills or the cost of repairing your vehicle. This is where full coverage car insurance comes in.
Full coverage car insurance provides additional protection for you and your vehicle in case of an accident. With collision and comprehensive coverage, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is covered in case of damage or loss. Additionally, if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your lender may require you to have full coverage car insurance.
How Much Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Cost in California?
The cost of full coverage car insurance varies depending on several factors, including your age, gender, driving record, location, type of vehicle, and the level of coverage you choose. Generally, full coverage car insurance is more expensive than liability-only insurance.
According to a recent study by The Zebra, the average cost of full coverage car insurance in California is $2,065 per year, or $172 per month. However, this is just an average, and your actual cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances.
How to Find the Best Full Coverage Car Insurance in California?
When shopping for full coverage car insurance in California, there are several factors to consider:
Coverage Limits: Make sure you choose coverage limits that are high enough to protect your assets in case of a lawsuit.
Deductibles: Consider the amount of the deductible you are willing to pay. A higher deductible will lower your monthly premium, but it will also mean you pay more out of pocket in case of an accident.
Discounts: Look for discounts that can help you save money on your premium, such as safe driving discounts, bundling discounts, and student discounts.
Reputation: Check the company's reputation and customer reviews before choosing a policy. You want to make sure that the company is reliable and responsive in case of a claim.
To find the best full coverage car insurance in California, you can compare quotes from multiple insurance providers. Online comparison tools, such as The Zebra and Insurify, make it easy to get quotes from multiple companies in one place.
Conclusion
Full coverage car insurance provides additional protection for you and your vehicle in case of an accident.