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Unlike homeowners insurance, liability car insurance is required by state law. There are three main types of car insurance: comprehensive, collision, and liability. Full coverage is a combination of the three.
Liability minimum coverage requirements vary by state, but if you finance or lease your car, your lender probably requires comprehensive and collision coverage.
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive coverage replaces or repairs your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged. Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage from theft, fire, vandalism, or falling objects like a tree.
However, it does not cover accidents, collisions, or liability for injuries.
What does comprehensive car insurance cover?
As previously mentioned, there are three main types of car insurance: liability, comprehensive, and collision. Full car coverage is a mixture of all three, offering complete coverage for your car that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage does not include collision or liability coverage.
| Damage | Comprehensive | Collision | Liability* | Full |
| Theft | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Vandalism | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fire | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Natural disaster | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Falling objects (tree) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Animal damage | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Collision/accident | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Rollover | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bodily injury/medical bills | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Physical damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Property damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured motorist | No | No | Yes | Yes |
*Most states require some type of liability coverage
How much does comprehensive car insurance cost?
Liability coverage is required by state law. Comprehensive coverage would be in addition to liability coverage.
Car insurance companies consider your location, age, gender, and driving record to calculate rates for premiums. Other factors like credit score, marital status, vehicle type, previous coverage, and miles driven can all play a role in the amount you'll pay for coverage.
To find the best option for you out of the car insurance quotes you've obtained, compare the coverage types, limits, and deductible, or the amount you'll pay out of pocket if you're involved in an accident. The policy with the lowest price for coverage, the most coverage types and limits, and the lowest deductible is the best one for you.
The below table show how much liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage costs in each state. The average cost is what consumers ended up paying on average for insurance in that state. Remember, your average cost will vary based on the type of vehicle, your location, age, mileage, and driving record.
| State | Liability | Collision | Comprehensive | Average cost |
| Alabama | $511.13 | $380.51 | $175.28 | $904.56 |
| Alaska | $576.09 | $387.12 | $147.87 | $965.44 |
| Arizona | $646.75 | $326.28 | $208.25 | $1,046.40 |
| Arkansas | $486.72 | $375.25 | $235.36 | $898.89 |
| California | $616.51 | $483.60 | $94.72 | $1,034.05 |
| Colorado | $687.40 | $330.50 | $272.44 | $1,132.81 |
| Connecticut | $784.70 | $407.54 | $133.86 | $1,216.55 |
| Delaware | $900.32 | $352.86 | $140.52 | $1,291.39 |
| D.C. | $809.41 | $535.96 | $228.71 | $1,429.43 |
| Florida | $1,009.94 | $361.79 | $149.26 | $1,426.46 |
| Georgia | $797.80 | $408.41 | $176.31 | $1,212.04 |
| Hawaii | $479.27 | $357.78 | $107.66 | $829.15 |
| Idaho | $425.89 | $262.67 | $139.75 | $722.06 |
| Illinois | $515.94 | $339.04 | $140.57 | $916.49 |
| Indiana | $442.69 | $286.49 | $135.63 | $767.72 |
| Iowa | $348.87 | $252.65 | $214.65 | $700.71 |
| Kansas | $421.78 | $287.24 | $276.33 | $805.15 |
| Kentucky | $611.54 | $312.51 | $164.68 | $936.91 |
| Louisiana | $1,015.36 | $487.44 | $248.57 | $1,545.82 |
| Maine | $374.59 | $294.80 | $113.33 | $686.25 |
| Maryland | $737.73 | $422.06 | $167.61 | $1,211.83 |
| Massachusetts | $658.47 | $440.55 | $147.06 | $1,167.16 |
| Michigan | $952.15 | $479.11 | $159.08 | $1,469.73 |
| Minnesota | $499.48 | $265.74 | $206.45 | $872.65 |
| Mississippi | $538.35 | $372.17 | $239.34 | $971.19 |
| Missouri | $520.45 | $315.49 | $216.92 | $913.81 |
| Montana | $435.81 | $283.65 | $306.00 | $825.87 |
| Nebraska | $429.35 | $272.48 | $260.97 | $796.87 |
| Nevada | $900.40 | $366.54 | $119.28 | $1,260.43 |
| New Hampshire | $436.76 | $327.30 | $118.58 | $847.58 |
| New Jersey | $955.93 | $414.39 | $130.26 | $1,385.61 |
| New Mexico | $576.81 | $311.24 | $214.10 | $915.62 |
| New York | $920.25 | $457.77 | $180.64 | $1,425.00 |
| North Carolina | $391.29 | $342.13 | $137.45 | $734.06 |
| North Dakota | $307.97 | $279.45 | $256.76 | $686.08 |
| Ohio | $448.59 | $302.57 | $130.74 | $794.91 |
| Oklahoma | $508.89 | $346.73 | $267.99 | $915.49 |
| Oregon | $689.74 | $280.61 | $106.87 | $990.21 |
| Pennsylvania | $555.42 | $376.21 | $169.21 | $991.23 |
| Rhode Island | $885.33 | $474.58 | $140.40 | $1,333.12 |
| South Carolina | $702.37 | $318.08 | $207.09 | $1,093.97 |
| South Dakota | $333.44 | $244.47 | $327.11 | $721.67 |
| Tennessee | $477.07 | $355.01 | $163.83 | $855.78 |
| Texas | $659.47 | $442.88 | $269.90 | $1,152.25 |
| Utah | $601.77 | $309.20 | $127.53 | $941.14 |
| Vermont | $376.99 | $329.47 | $147.81 | $778.29 |
| Virginia | $492.68 | $316.05 | $148.25 | $853.78 |
| Washington | $689.18 | $312.65 | $118.19 | $1,035.34 |
| West Virginia | $521.74 | $350.20 | $224.86 | $938.71 |
| Wisconsin | $422.28 | $247.95 | $159.82 | $755.97 |
| Wyoming | $356.25 | $297.61 | $317.22 | $765.81 |
Data from the Insurance Information Institute (III)
Who needs comprehensive car insurance?
If you lease or finance your car, most likely your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage. If you bought a new car or a newer used car with cash, you should also consider comprehensive coverage.
The newer the car, the more comprehensive coverage makes sense. If you have an old beater that you use to get around town, it may not make financial sense to pay to repair or replace a car that has little Kelley Blue Book value.
Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.