There are four main types of car insurance: comprehensive, collision, and liability. Full coverage is a combination of the three.
Liability coverage is required by law, and if you finance or lease your car, your lender probably requires comprehensive and collision coverage.
Comprehensive versus collision coverage car insurance
Comprehensive coverage replaces or repairs your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged. Comprehensive car coverage typically covers damage from fire, vandalism or falling objects like a tree or hail. It does not cover accidents, collisions, or liability for injuries.
Collision car insurance covers your vehicle if you are in an accident or collision. It does not cover damage from theft, fire, vandalism, natural disaster, or liability for injuries.
Damage you cause to other vehicles and their passengers is covered under liability car insurance.
If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require both comprehensive and collision coverage, but full coverage car insurance is a better option.
| 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 coverage insurance cost?
Collision and comprehensive insurance will be in addition to your liability coverage. Your annual car insurance premium will be based on several factors.
Your cost will vary based on the type of vehicle, your location, mileage, and driving record. The table below shows costs for collision, liability, and comprehensive coverage. The average cost is the annual car insurance premium the average person in that state paid.
| 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)
Use online quote tools to get multiple quotes. The policy with the lowest price for coverage, the most coverage types and limits, and the lowest deductible is the best one for you.
Some states do not allow insurance companies to use your age, gender, or credit score as factors to determine your insurance premium. Therefore, the costs will vary greatly state by state.
Who needs comprehensive and collision coverage insurance?
If you lease or finance your car, most likely your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage. However, full coverage is a better option that gives you complete coverage.
If you have a new or newer vehicle, full coverage is best.
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.