Liability vs. Full Coverage: What's the Difference?

Liability addresses damage you cause

Liability generally pays covered claims involving injury or property damage for which you are responsible, subject to limits.

Full coverage is not one coverage

“Full coverage” is an informal phrase. It commonly means liability plus collision and comprehensive.

Collision covers many crash losses

Collision generally pays covered physical damage to your vehicle after a collision, subject to deductible and policy terms.

Comprehensive covers many non-collision losses

Common examples include theft, fire, vandalism, weather, falling objects and animal contact.

Financed vehicles are different

Lenders and lessors commonly require physical-damage coverage.

Compare details, not labels

Two policies described as full coverage can differ materially in limits, deductibles and exclusions.