Do you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car?

A collision insurance deductible is the amount of money that a driver must pay out-of-pocket when filing a collision insurance claim. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace a car damaged in an accident, and a driver must pay their collision deductible before their insurance company will cover the remaining costs.... read full answer

Collision Deductible Example

Say you are at fault in an accident that causes $10,000 in damage and you have a collision deductible of $1,000. You are responsible for covering your $1,000 collision deductible out-of-pocket in order for your insurance company to pay the remaining $9,000.

Collision Deductible Amounts

Collision deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000, and you select your deductible amount when you purchase your policy. The higher your deductible, the cheaper your premium will be. Although it’s tempting to get a higher deductible in order to pay less upfront, you should only choose a deductible that you can afford to pay if your car is suddenly damaged in an accident.

Yes, you need full coverage on a financed car. Any reputable lender will require drivers with a financed vehicle to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance, in addition to the state’s minimum required car insurance coverage. Your contract with the lender might even require you to choose a specific deductible to ensure that you will be able to pay it if you file a claim.... read full answer

Why You Need Full Coverage on a Financed Car

Full coverage is required on financed cars to protect the lender’s investment. This applies regardless of whether the vehicle is new or used.

When buying full coverage insurance for a car with a loan, you should notify your insurer that the car is financed, because your lender will need to be listed on the policy. As a result, your lender will be notified when your policy expires, is renewed, or is canceled. When your loan ends, you can notify your insurance company in order to have your lender removed from the policy.

Other Key Things to Know About Full Coverage on Financed Cars

If you purchase full coverage and then fail to maintain it, your lender may be able to purchase expensive force-placed insurance or even repossess your car. The good news is that having an auto loan is not considered a risk factor for insurers, so the loan itself will not increase your insurance premiums. Full coverage is more expensive than maintaining only your state’s mandatory minimum coverage, though.

You can find affordable full coverage by checking out WalletHub’s page on cheap car insurance and our guide to car insurance discounts.

You should have full coverage on a 10-year-old car if you can’t afford to repair or replace it out of pocket. On the other hand, you do not need full coverage on a 10-year-old car if you own it outright and will be able to pay for the damage without assistance in the event of a collision or other accident.... read full answer

In most cases, you can think about dropping full coverage once the cost exceeds 10% of your car’s value. So, even if your car is 10 years old, it could still be worth enough that it makes sense to keep the extra coverage. Also, keep in mind that you may not be able to drop full coverage if your car is still leased or financed, since most lenders and lessors require it.

Finally, you should consider your personal financial situation. If you need your car on a daily basis and can’t cover the cost of fixing it, then full coverage is worth it even if the vehicle isn’t worth a lot.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to full coverage insurance.