Full coverage is the part of the Florida auto insurance policy that provides protection for your vehicle, as opposed to other people’s vehicles, other people’s medical bills, or your own medical bills.

So, if you are asked if you have full coverage, that just asks if you have the part that covers your vehicle.

Full coverage is optional unless you have a loan on your vehicle. The lienholder will typically require that you carry full coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle.

Full coverage pays the full cost of repairs to your vehicle, up to the value of your car. If the cost of repairs to your vehicle is more than the value of the vehicle then it will be declared a total loss.

What is a deductible? The portion of the bill you have to pay before insurance kicks in.

I advise you to skip the following video and begin reading. I did add this very old video since… somehow it does a decent job of explaining full coverage. Please disregard the references to Indiana (where we were located at the time) and the overall quality.

What is Comprehensive Coverage?

Sometimes this coverage is even referred to as “non-collision” coverage. Comprehensive covers animal damage, storm damage, tree damage, vandalism, theft, and other forms of non-collision claims.

If someone else is at fault, their property damage liability coverage would take care of your vehicle (up to their property limits) because they are liable. But what if a deer runs out in front of you and damages your vehicle? Deer don’t have insurance. This wasn’t exactly your fault either. This is considered an act of nature or an act of God. Comprehensive insurance covers these types of non-collision claims.

Comprehensive typically has a smaller impact on your premium, so you can usually choose a lower deductible (amount you pay before insurance pays).

What is Collision Coverage?

Collision insurance covers your vehicle if you hit another car or an object. If you are at fault in an accident, the only coverage for your car is collision. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay the repairs out of your own pocket. If you hit a pothole, a pole, a mailbox, or another object, your liability will pay for the thing you hit and your collision coverage will take care of your car.

What is Rental Reimbursement?

Rental reimbursement insurance is an extension of full coverage. This provides you with a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop as a result of a covered claim. This does not provide coverage if your car is in the shop due to mechanical failure or simply because you want to rent a car. Covered claims only!

What is Towing and Roadside/Trip Interruption?

I love this coverage. If you need a tow, if your battery needs jumped, if you have a flat tire, and many other roadside services. Carter Family Insurance is a proud Progressive agency and they offer some of the best roadside coverage I’ve seen!

Here’s a look at what Progressive boasts (other carriers may vary).

• 24/7 Coverage in U.S./Canada
• Towing 
• Winching Service 
• Battery Jump-Start 
• Fuel Delivery 
• Locksmith Service 
• Flat Tire Change
• On Scene Labor 
• Trip interruption This covers up to $100/day for lodging and $50/day for food while your vehicle is being repaired. It maxes out at $500 but it’s a really great addition should you suffer the inconvenience of a breakdown while on vacation. Unlike comprehensive and collision, this covers both accidents and mechanical failure as long as you are more than 100 miles from your primary residence.

Custom Parts & Equipment

If you have any after-market parts permanently installed on your vehicle, you need to ask about this coverage. Insurance is designed to provide coverage for vehicles as they are manufactured. It’s okay to have after-market parts installed, but you need to talk to your agent about it to make sure you have the correct coverage.

Payoff

If you owe more on a vehicle than it is worth, this coverage will add 25% of the actual cash value of your vehicle to the payout. This is really important if you have a loan in which you owe more than the value of your vehicle. I’ve seen it first hand. It’s a painful thing to find out that your car is totaled and you still owe your lender a good chunk of money. You will be left without a vehicle and you get a bill for your trouble. Remember, full coverage only pays up to the actual cash value of your vehicle. They don’t insure loans! That’s why this endorsement is available in Florida and does not add very much to the premium in most cases!

Conclusion

Hopefully, this has answered most or all of your questions about full coverage insurance in Sarasota, Bradenton, Parrish, and Lakewood Ranch. Knowing more about how coverages work can help you make the right decisions for your coverage. It’s not always the best idea to go for the cheapest coverage.

If you aren’t sure what you need or what you can afford, reach out to us for a free insurance review! We can tweak your quotes and explain the details to tailor a policy that’s a perfect fit for your needs and your budget.