When to not have full coverage on a vehicle?

Asked by: Mrs. Nora Becker  |  Last update: January 11, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (22 votes)

You should think about dropping your full coverage insurance policy if:
  1. You drive a high-mileage car. ...
  2. You struggle to fit the cost of auto insurance in your budget. ...
  3. Your car is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy. ...
  4. You have relatively high risk tolerance. ...
  5. You rarely drive.

When should I stop having full coverage on my car?

generally financial gurus advocate when your premiums exceed 10% of your current car's value after deductible, then its time to drop the full coverage.

When should you drop from full coverage to liability?

If your vehicle is older (valued at less than the cost of a full coverage policy) or you otherwise feel that you have enough money to pay for damage out of pocket, you may want to choose liability-only.

How old does a car have to be to not have full coverage?

Lenders often want to protect their investment and require this comprehensive coverage to do so. According to ValuePenguin, if your vehicle is 10 years old or older, you may be paying too much for insurance if you have comprehensive or collision coverage.

What are the disadvantages of full coverage?

Full coverage insurance's disadvantages include a higher cost than basic liability coverage.

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22 related questions found

Is it smart to have full coverage?

Risk Tolerance: Full coverage can provide peace of mind by protecting your car from various risks, including accidents, theft, and weather damage. If you prefer the extra security, keeping full coverage might be worth it, even after the car is paid off.

When to drop collision insurance?

If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.

Should I keep full coverage on a 9 year old car?

However, a general rule of thumb used by insurance professionals in deciding on whether to maintain physical damage coverage is the 10 percent rule. In this case, when the annual coverage costs over 10 percent of the car's replacement value, it may not be worth keeping the coverage.

Is it worth having full coverage on an older vehicle?

Full coverage is only worth having for a 15-year-old car if its market value is more than a few thousand dollars.

Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?

If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.

What happens if you don't have full coverage on a financed car?

Lender Requirements: Many lenders mandate full coverage to protect their financial interest in the vehicle. If you fail to maintain the required coverage, the lender may impose force-placed insurance, which is often more expensive and offers minimal coverage.

When should I downgrade my car insurance?

Once your vehicle nears double digits, start running some numbers. Calculate your yearly insurance costs, which would be your monthly premium multiplied by 12. If this number exceeds 10 percent of your car's value, you might be okay removing comprehensive coverage.

Is it cheaper to insure an older car?

In general, auto insurance for older cars may be cheaper than insuring newer vehicles of the same make and model if the used car is cheaper to repair or replace. A car depreciates in value over time, which lowers the maximum amount an insurance company would have to pay in the event of an accident.

When should you not go through car insurance?

You accidentally cause minimal damage to your own car, like backing into a pole or mailbox. No, don't bother contacting your insurer if you don't have collision coverage or if the damage is less than your collision deductible.

Should you get full coverage on a used car?

While most states don't require you get full insurance coverage when purchasing a car, many finance lenders who want to protect their investments require full coverage regardless of whether your car is gently used or new.

At what age should your car insurance go down?

Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.

At what car value should you drop full coverage?

You can also consider dropping full coverage if your comprehensive and collision premiums equal 10% or more of your car's actual cash value. Most drivers need the financial protection that comes from carrying comprehensive and collision coverage.

When should you stop paying full coverage on your car?

You should think about dropping your full coverage insurance policy if:
  1. You drive a high-mileage car. ...
  2. You struggle to fit the cost of auto insurance in your budget. ...
  3. Your car is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy. ...
  4. You have relatively high risk tolerance. ...
  5. You rarely drive.

What age is car insurance most expensive?

18-year-old drivers on their own policy pay the highest car insurance premiums out of the age groups Bankrate analyzed. The most significant difference in premiums by gender occurs at age 18. On average, 18-year-old males cost 9 percent less to insure than their female counterparts.

Should you carry collision on a 10 year old car?

Collision insurance only pays up to the current market value of your car, minus your collision deductible. Since older cars typically have a low market value, collision coverage won't pay out much, if anything, in a total loss. Be sure to research your car's worth before deciding on whether to drop the coverage.

When to remove comprehensive and collision coverage?

You may consider dropping collision or comprehensive coverage if: Your vehicle's value is low. If your car's value has fallen below a few thousand dollars, it might be time to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. That's especially true if you have a high deductible, such as $2,000.

Should you keep old car insurance?

Regardless of the insurance type, you should keep all old paperwork related to a claim until it's been officially closed, you've received any payment you're entitled to, and the related policy has expired.

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?

Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.

When should I stop car insurance?

Reasons to cancel your auto insurance

You no longer drive. You're switching insurance companies. You're covered under someone else's policy. You're moving out of the country.

What is the 10 rule for collision insurance?

One general rule of thumb is to skip collision coverage for vehicles that are more than ten years old. Your collision premiums and your deductible are more than 10 percent of your vehicle's blue book value.