How liability limits work
Liability limits are written as three numbers in thousands of dollars. Take 50/100/50 as an example:
$50,000Bodily injury, per person
$100,000Bodily injury, per accident
$50,000Property damage, per accident
Example: you cause an accident that injures two people, with medical bills of $70,000 and $20,000, and damages a car worth $30,000. With 50/100/50, the policy pays up to $50,000 for the first person, $20,000 for the second and $30,000 for the car. The remaining $20,000 for the first person could become your responsibility.
State minimum limits are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Higher limits often cost less than people expect, so we always show you the difference.
How deductibles work
A deductible is the part of a comprehensive or collision claim you pay before the insurance company pays the rest. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium, but you pay more out of pocket when something happens.
Example: a $3,000 covered repair| Deductible | You pay | Insurance pays |
|---|
| $500 | $500 | $2,500 |
|---|
| $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
|---|
Comprehensive and collision can have different deductibles, and some companies offer a separate glass deductible.
What “full coverage” really means
“Full coverage” is not an official type of policy and there is no standard package. Most people mean liability plus comprehensive and collision, but two “full coverage” quotes can have very different limits, deductibles and extras. That is why we compare the details, not the label.
When you compare “full coverage” quotes, check:
Liability limitsComprehensive deductibleCollision deductibleUninsured / underinsured motoristRental and roadside