Updated July 2026
What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage combines three distinct coverage types into one package: liability insurance (required by Louisiana law), collision coverage (pays for damage to your vehicle in an accident regardless of fault), and comprehensive coverage (pays for non-collision damage like theft, hail, or vandalism). The term 'full coverage' is industry shorthand, not a legal definition — no policy covers every possible scenario. Lenders require this package on financed and leased vehicles because it protects their collateral, but you can drop the physical damage components once you own the vehicle outright.
- You slide through a stop sign in rain and hit another vehicle. The other driver has $8,000 in vehicle damage and $4,000 in medical bills. Your liability coverage pays the other driver's $12,000 in damages up to your policy limits. Your collision coverage pays to repair your own vehicle, minus your deductible. Without collision coverage, you pay for your own repairs entirely out of pocket.
- A severe hailstorm causes $5,200 in damage to your vehicle while it's parked at home. Your comprehensive coverage pays the repair cost minus your deductible — typically $500 to $1,000. Liability-only policies provide no payment for this damage. If you file the claim, your rate may increase at renewal even though you weren't driving.
- You're hit by an uninsured driver and your vehicle is totaled. The actual cash value is $14,000. Your collision coverage pays $14,000 minus your deductible. Your uninsured motorist property damage coverage may also apply depending on your Louisiana policy structure. Without collision coverage, you rely entirely on uninsured motorist coverage or sue the at-fault driver directly — a process that can take months or years.
Who Needs Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage is required if you finance or lease your vehicle — the lender's contract mandates it until you pay off the loan. It's strongly recommended if your vehicle is worth more than $4,000 and you cannot afford to replace it out of pocket after a total loss. Drivers in high-theft parishes or areas with frequent severe weather benefit from comprehensive coverage even on older vehicles.
Calculate your vehicle's actual cash value using current market listings for your make, model, and mileage. Subtract your deductible from that value — that's your maximum potential payout. Compare that number to your annual collision and comprehensive premium. If the premium exceeds 10 percent of the net payout, you're paying more for coverage than the financial protection justifies. Keep full coverage if losing the vehicle would prevent you from getting to work or meeting family obligations.
How Much Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance Cost?
Full coverage in Louisiana typically adds $85 to $160 per month compared to liability-only policies, bringing total monthly premiums to approximately $140 to $220 for drivers with clean records.
- Vehicle value and replacement cost — newer vehicles with higher repair costs increase collision and comprehensive premiums significantly.
- Deductible selection — choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 can reduce your premium by 15 to 25 percent.
- Driving record and claims history — at-fault accidents in the past three years can increase full coverage rates by 30 to 50 percent.
- Location within Louisiana — urban parishes like Orleans and East Baton Rouge have higher comprehensive rates due to theft and vandalism frequency.
- Credit-based insurance score — Louisiana allows insurers to use credit history in pricing, affecting full coverage rates more than liability-only rates.
- Annual mileage — vehicles driven over 15,000 miles per year face higher collision premiums due to increased accident exposure.