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If you’ve ever shopped for auto insurance, you’ve probably heard someone say:
“Don’t worry… I have full coverage.”
It’s one of the most common phrases in insurance.
It’s also one of the most misleading.
At Holley Insurance, you’ll never hear us tell someone they have “full coverage.” That’s because there is no insurance policy called “full coverage.” More importantly, using that phrase can give people a false sense of security about what their policy actually protects.
Here’s why.
“Full Coverage” Means Different Things to Different People
Ask five people what “full coverage” means, and you’ll probably get five different answers.
Some people think it means:
- They have liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.
- Everything that could happen to their vehicle is covered.
- They won’t have to pay anything out of pocket after an accident.
- Any damage to their car will be paid for.
- Every possible claim is covered.
The problem?
None of those definitions are technically correct.
Insurance isn’t sold as “full coverage.” Instead, every policy is made up of individual coverages, limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
Two People Can Both Say They Have “Full Coverage”…
…and have completely different insurance policies.
For example:
Driver A
- Virginia’s minimum liability limits
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- $2,000 deductible
- No rental reimbursement
- No roadside assistance
- No uninsured motorist property damage coverage
Driver B
- High liability limits
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- $500 deductible
- Rental reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
- New car replacement
- Accident forgiveness
- Gap coverage
- Higher uninsured/underinsured motorist protection
Both drivers might tell you they have “full coverage.”
But if they have an accident, their insurance experience could be dramatically different.
What Isn’t Included in “Full Coverage”?
This is where misunderstandings often happen.
People assume they’re protected for situations that aren’t actually covered.
For example, many policies do not automatically include:
- Rental car reimbursement
- Roadside assistance
- Gap insurance
- New car replacement
- Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts coverage
- Custom equipment coverage
- Diminished value
- Accident forgiveness
- Pet injury coverage
- Personal belongings inside the vehicle
These coverages may be available—but they usually need to be added individually.
Simply saying “I have full coverage” doesn’t tell you whether any of them are included.
Every Insurance Policy Has Exclusions
Another reason we avoid the phrase “full coverage” is because no insurance policy covers everything.
Every policy has exclusions.
For example, your auto insurance generally won’t pay for damage caused by:
- Normal wear and tear
- Mechanical breakdowns
- Lack of maintenance
- Intentional damage
- Using your personal vehicle for certain business activities without the proper coverage
- Racing or other excluded activities
Even the best insurance policy has limitations.
That’s why calling anything “full coverage” can create unrealistic expectations.
The Better Question Isn’t “Do I Have Full Coverage?”
Instead, ask:
- What exactly does my policy cover?
- What are my liability limits?
- What deductible do I have?
- What isn’t covered?
- What optional coverages should I consider?
- Are there any gaps in my protection?
Those questions lead to much better conversations—and much better insurance decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “full coverage” an actual insurance policy?
No. “Full coverage” is an informal phrase. Insurance companies don’t sell a policy called “full coverage,” and there is no standard definition for what it includes.
Does full coverage include comprehensive and collision?
Many people use the term to describe a policy that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. However, that’s only a common usage—not an official insurance term.
Does full coverage mean everything is covered?
No. Every insurance policy has exclusions, deductibles, and coverage limits. No auto insurance policy covers every possible loss.
Why doesn’t Holley Insurance use the term “full coverage”?
Because it’s vague and can create false expectations. We believe it’s more important to explain exactly what your policy includes, what it doesn’t include, and how your coverages protect you.
At Holley Insurance, We Talk About Protection—Not Buzzwords
As an independent insurance agency, our goal isn’t to sell you a generic policy.
Our goal is to understand:
- How you use your vehicles
- Who drives them
- Whether you have teen drivers
- Whether you own a newer vehicle
- Whether you lease or finance your car
- How much financial risk you’re comfortable taking
- Whether additional coverages make sense for your situation
Then we build a policy that’s designed around your needs—not around a phrase that doesn’t actually mean anything.
Don’t Assume You’re Covered
One of the hardest conversations we have is with someone who believed they had “full coverage,” only to discover after an accident that an important coverage wasn’t included.
Usually, they weren’t intentionally misled.
Someone simply used a phrase that sounded reassuring—but wasn’t specific enough.
Insurance shouldn’t be based on assumptions.
It should be based on understanding exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
Let Holley Insurance Review Your Coverage
If you’re not completely sure what’s included in your auto insurance policy, now is a great time to review it.
We’ll explain your coverages in plain English, identify any potential gaps, and help you make informed decisions about your protection.
Because when it comes to insurance, we’d rather have a clear conversation today than an unpleasant surprise after a claim.
A little more about Holley Insurance…
Holley Insurance was founded in 2000, and retains a core base of loyal clients. We have locations in Roanoke, Rocky Mount, and Forest, VA. As an independent insurance agency, Holley Insurance represents a carefully selected group of financially strong, reputable insurance companies. Therefore, we are able to offer you the best coverage at the most competitive price. Holley Insurance was named “Top Insurance Broker in Southwest Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine. If you’re interested in starting a quote online or having us take a look at your current policies, click here!