Updated July 2026
What Is Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage combines three distinct coverage types into one policy: liability insurance (required by Maine law), collision coverage (pays for damage to your car in an accident regardless of fault), and comprehensive coverage (pays for non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, or hitting a deer). Each coverage has its own deductible, limit, and claims process. The term 'full coverage' appears nowhere in Maine insurance law — it's industry shorthand for a complete protection package that satisfies lender requirements and covers most damage scenarios.
- You hit black ice near Augusta and slide into a guardrail. Your car has $8,500 in damage. Collision coverage pays the repair cost minus your deductible (typically $500 or $1,000). Liability coverage does not apply because you did not hit another vehicle. Comprehensive does not apply because this is a collision with an object, not weather damage or theft.
- A deer runs into your car on Route 201, causing $4,200 in front-end damage. Comprehensive coverage pays the repair cost minus your deductible. This is not a collision claim — animal strikes fall under comprehensive. If you had liability-only coverage, you would pay the full $4,200 out of pocket.
- Another driver backs into your parked car and leaves the scene. You have $2,800 in damage and no way to identify the other driver. Your collision coverage pays for repairs minus your deductible. If the other driver had been identified and had insurance, their liability coverage would pay — but without that, collision is your only path to repair without paying cash.
Who Needs Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance?
Full coverage is necessary if you have a car loan or lease — your lender will require it in the financing agreement. It is also worth carrying if your vehicle is worth more than $5,000 and you could not afford to replace it out of pocket after a total loss. Drivers in rural Maine with high wildlife collision risk and those who park on the street in Portland or Bangor benefit from comprehensive coverage even on older vehicles.
Calculate your car's actual cash value using Kelley Blue Book or a similar tool. Add up one year of collision and comprehensive premiums, including deductibles. If the annual cost exceeds 10 percent of your car's value, consider dropping physical damage coverage and banking the premium savings. If you cannot afford to replace the car tomorrow, keep full coverage regardless of age.
How Much Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Insurance Cost?
Full coverage in Maine typically adds $85 to $160 per month compared to liability-only coverage, or roughly $1,020 to $1,920 annually.
- Vehicle value — comprehensive and collision premiums scale with your car's actual cash value, so a $40,000 truck costs significantly more to insure fully than a $12,000 sedan.
- Deductible choice — selecting a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 can reduce your collision and comprehensive premiums by 15 to 25 percent.
- Driving record — at-fault accidents in the past three years increase collision premiums more than comprehensive premiums because collision covers crash risk.
- Location within Maine — Portland and Bangor have higher collision rates than rural counties, while rural areas see more comprehensive claims from wildlife and weather.
- Credit-based insurance score — Maine allows insurers to use credit history in pricing, and full coverage premiums are more sensitive to credit scores than liability-only policies.
- Annual mileage — drivers logging over 15,000 miles per year face higher collision premiums due to increased exposure to accidents.