Updated July 2026
What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage combines three separate coverages into one package: liability (pays for damage you cause to others), collision (pays for your vehicle damage in crashes regardless of fault), and comprehensive (pays for non-crash damage like theft, hail, or vandalism). Delaware law requires only liability coverage, but lenders require full coverage on financed and leased vehicles. The term 'full coverage' is insurance industry shorthand, not a legal definition — your policy will list each coverage type separately with its own limit.
- You merge into another car on I-95 in Wilmington, causing $6,500 in damage to their vehicle and $4,200 in damage to yours. Your liability coverage pays the $6,500 to the other driver. Your collision coverage pays the $4,200 to repair your car, minus your deductible. If you carried only Delaware's minimum liability coverage, you would pay the $4,200 out of pocket.
- A hailstorm in Newark causes $3,800 in damage to your vehicle — dented hood, cracked windshield, and roof damage. Your comprehensive coverage pays the $3,800 repair cost minus your deductible, typically $500 or $1,000. Liability-only coverage does not cover weather damage to your own vehicle. This is the most common scenario where drivers without full coverage face unexpected repair bills.
- Another driver runs a red light and totals your car. Their liability insurance should pay for your vehicle, but they carry only Delaware's $10,000 property damage minimum and your car is worth $18,000. Their insurer pays $10,000. If you have collision coverage, your policy pays the remaining $8,000 minus your deductible, then recovers it from the at-fault driver. Without collision coverage, you sue the at-fault driver personally for the $8,000 shortfall and wait months or years to collect.
Who Needs Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage is necessary if you finance or lease your vehicle — lenders require it to protect their collateral. It's also the right choice if your car is worth more than $5,000 and you cannot afford to replace it out of pocket after a total loss. Drivers in areas with high rates of vehicle theft, hail, or uninsured motorists benefit from the comprehensive and collision protection even on older vehicles.
Calculate your vehicle's current market value, then multiply your annual full coverage premium by three. If the three-year premium cost exceeds 50% of your vehicle's value, and you have savings equal to that value, consider dropping collision and comprehensive and keeping only liability coverage. If you cannot afford to replace your vehicle tomorrow without financing, keep full coverage regardless of the vehicle's age.
How Much Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance Cost?
Full coverage in Delaware adds approximately $85–$140/month to the cost of minimum liability coverage, bringing total monthly premiums to $140–$220. Annual cost typically ranges from $1,680 to $2,640.
- Vehicle value — a $35,000 car costs significantly more to insure for collision and comprehensive than a $12,000 car, because the insurer's maximum payout is higher.
- Deductible selection — choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 reduces your monthly premium by $15–$30 but increases your out-of-pocket cost per claim.
- Driving record — at-fault accidents in the past three years increase full coverage premiums by 40–60% because collision coverage will likely pay out again.
- Zip code — urban areas like Wilmington have higher comprehensive claim rates due to theft and vandalism, increasing premiums by 20–35% compared to rural Delaware counties.
- Credit-based insurance score — Delaware allows insurers to use credit history in pricing, and drivers with poor credit pay 50–80% more for the same full coverage limits.