Liability Only
State minimum coverage. Covers damage you cause to others — not your own vehicle.
✓ Bodily injury liability
✓ Property damage liability
✗ Your vehicle damage
✗ Theft or natural disasters
Avg annual premium
$500 – $900
⭐ Most popular
Full Coverage
Liability + collision + comprehensive. Protects your car in almost any situation.
✓ All liability coverage
✓ Collision (your car in a crash)
✓ Comprehensive (theft, weather)
✓ Uninsured motorist
Avg annual premium
$1,400 – $2,200
Liability + Comprehensive
A middle ground. Covers theft and weather damage but not collision.
✓ Liability coverage
✓ Theft, fire, natural events
✗ Crash damage to your car
✗ Medical payments
Avg annual premium
$800 – $1,300
| Coverage | Liability | Liability+Comp | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Others' injuries & property | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theft / fire / weather | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crash damage (your car) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Uninsured motorist | ✗ | Optional | ✓ |
| Required by lenders? | No | No | Yes |
| Legally required? | Yes (most states) | No | No |
⭐ Standard
HO-3 Policy
The most common homeowner's policy. Covers your dwelling on an "open perils" basis and personal property on named perils.
✓ Dwelling (fire, wind, hail)
✓ Personal belongings
✓ Liability protection
✗ Flood (add-on required)
Avg annual premium
$1,200 – $2,000
Flood Insurance
Not covered by standard policies. Required in FEMA flood zones if you have a federally-backed mortgage.
✓ Building coverage
✓ Contents coverage
✗ Included in HO-3
✗ Landscaping / vehicles
Avg annual premium
$700 – $1,500
HMO Plan
Lower premiums, but you must use in-network doctors and get referrals to see specialists.
✓ Lower monthly premiums
✓ Lower out-of-pocket costs
✗ Out-of-network not covered
✗ PCP referrals required
Avg monthly premium
$400 – $600
⭐ Flexible
PPO Plan
More flexibility — see any doctor in or out of network without a referral. Higher premiums but broader access.
✓ Any doctor, no referral
✓ Out-of-network covered (partial)
✗ Higher monthly premiums
✗ Higher deductibles
Avg monthly premium
$550 – $900
Insurance FAQs
Do I need full coverage if my car is paid off?+
Not legally, but it depends on your car's value. A rough rule: if your annual premium for collision and comprehensive exceeds 10% of your car's value, consider dropping to liability only. For cars worth under $5,000, full coverage often isn't worth it.
What factors affect my car insurance rate?+
Age, driving record, credit score (in most states), vehicle make/model, annual mileage, location, and coverage level all affect your premium. Young drivers and those with accidents or tickets pay significantly more.
Is flood insurance really necessary?+
If you're in a FEMA high-risk flood zone with a federally-backed mortgage, it's legally required. Even outside high-risk zones, 20% of flood claims come from lower-risk areas. Check FEMA's flood map and talk to your insurer if you're unsure.
How can I lower my insurance premiums?+
Bundle auto and home with the same insurer (saves 10–25%), increase your deductible, maintain a clean driving record, improve your credit score, and shop quotes every 1–2 years. Loyalty doesn't always pay — switching often saves more.