Full Coverage vs Liability Cost: Average Rates & What Drives Them

Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage you cause to other people. Full coverage is the common name for a policy that adds collision and comprehensive, which pay for damage to your own car. There is no single policy called "full coverage," so the exact protection and the price depend on the insurer and the limits you choose.

The figures below are national averages from published rate studies, with a check date of Oct 14, 2026. Each source builds its average from different policies and drivers, so the numbers do not match. Your own premium depends on your age, ZIP code, vehicle, driving record, and the deductible and limits you pick.

Every source shows full coverage costing more than liability only, and the gap is large. Insurify puts liability only at $99/mo against $187/mo for full coverage. MoneyGeek reports $63/mo for liability only and $134/mo for full coverage. Experian reports a higher full coverage figure of $243/mo.

The reason is what each policy pays for. Liability covers other people's losses. Collision and comprehensive add cover for your own vehicle, which means the insurer takes on more risk and charges for it.

The annual full coverage averages run from $1,608/yr at MoneyGeek to $2,912/yr at Experian, with Insurify at $2,242/yr. The spread can come from several places:

• The pool of drivers. A source built on one insurer network or set of quotes reflects those policies.
• The coverage limits assumed. A higher liability limit or a lower deductible raises the premium.
• The date. Rates change, and a recent study can differ from an older one.
• Whether the figure is a quote average or the price of policies sold.

Where you live is one of the biggest rate factors. State laws, weather, theft, accident rates, and repair costs all feed into premiums.

The table shows the range. Insurify lists Alabama at $142/mo and Connecticut at $225/mo, while Experian reports Maryland at $352/mo. These are sample states, not a ranking of every state.

• Your car. Newer or higher-value vehicles cost more to repair or replace, which matters for collision and comprehensive.
• Your deductible. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium on the part of the policy that covers your own car.
• Liability limits. Higher limits cost more, and they apply to both liability-only and full coverage policies.
• Your record. Past claims and violations can raise rates on any policy.
• Your location. Rates vary by state and often by ZIP code.
• Lender or lease rules. If you finance or lease a car, the lender may require coverage for your own vehicle. Check your loan or lease terms.

Ask each insurer for the same limits and deductibles so the quotes line up. Confirm which items a "full coverage" quote includes, since insurers may bundle extras such as rental reimbursement differently. Compare at least a few companies, because rates for the same driver can differ from one insurer to the next. A licensed insurance agent can explain what each coverage pays for and which limits fit your situation.