Do I need full coverage insurance to finance a car?
If you're using a loan from a bank or lender to buy a vehicle, then the answer to "Do I need full coverage insurance to finance a car?" is usually always yes. Our experts explain the ins and outs of financed car insurance requirements, including reviewing full coverage cost which averages $80 per month.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 27, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 27, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
If you’re considering financing a car, you might wonder, does credit acceptance require full coverage insurance? The answer is yes. The minimum full coverage for financed car is essential for lenders and finance companies. They mandate maintaining this level of coverage while financing or leasing a vehicle. For instance, the minimum insurance requirements for financed car in Florida are stringent to protect both the lender and the borrower.
Understanding the finance car insurance requirements is crucial when budgeting for a new vehicle. While liability insurance for financed car is a necessity, full coverage offers comprehensive protection. On average, full coverage insurance costs around $80 per month in the United States. Therefore, it’s essential to find affordable auto insurance near you that meets the requirements without compromising coverage.
Additionally, am I required to have full coverage on a financed car is a common question. The answer often leans towards ensuring that you are adequately covered. If you’re financing a car, you’ll likely need to have full coverage to satisfy the lender’s conditions, and this could include a lender who finances an auto loan could receive claim payments under which policy condition. So, always check with your lender to understand their specific requirements regarding insurance coverage.
- Most states only require drivers to carry third-party liability insurance.
- While full coverage auto insurance is optional in the eyes of the state, it is required by lenders and lessors when you are financing or leasing your car.
- Lenders and lessors have contracts that require borrowers to purchase and maintain full coverage on the vehicle to protect the property while the company owns it
Do I need full coverage auto insurance to finance a car?
The minimum insurance for financed cars is full coverage auto insurance. Why? Finance companies and lenders want to protect their assets. Therefore, credit acceptance insurance requirements say that the driver must have full coverage car insurance. If the coverage limits are too low, the finance company will put the car in force-placed insurance.
Read more: What are the average collateral insurance premiums?
Can I have liability insurance on a financed car?
Liability-only auto insurance on a financed car is not acceptable for lenders. That’s because liability car insurance only covers damage and injuries for the other driver.
Why do I need full coverage on a financed car?
Let’s say you get into an accident in a new car with liability-only insurance. Your auto insurance provider will only pay for damages and injuries to the other driver if you’re at fault. That means your vehicle won’t be covered, and you’ll still be on the hook to make payments on a damaged or total loss vehicle.
Therefore, you’ll need to have the minimum coverage for financed cars, which is full coverage. With no full coverage on a financed car, the finance company will place your vehicle under force-placed insurance.
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Understanding Auto Insurance Requirements for Financed and Paid Off Cars
When financing a car, understanding the necessity of full coverage auto insurance is paramount. Finance companies and lenders, including those with specific guidelines like Bank of America auto loan insurance requirements, prioritize this comprehensive coverage to safeguard their investments. Such requirements underscore the importance of having adequate protection to mitigate potential risks.
Conversely, once a car is paid off, the insurance landscape can shift. While auto insurance for paid off cars may not necessitate the same level of coverage, it’s essential to evaluate your needs carefully. Additionally, when faced with situations like financing a car after a total loss, knowing the nuances of financing a car insurance becomes crucial.
Whether you’re exploring options for finance car insurance included in your loan or seeking the best insurance for financed cars, ensuring your coverage aligns with your financial obligations and protects your asset is vital.
Your Lender Will Require Full Coverage Auto Insurance
When financing a car, your lender will typically require you to have full coverage insurance for financed car. This requirement ensures that their investment is protected in case of an accident or damage to the vehicle. Full coverage includes liability coverage, as well as comprehensive and collision coverage, offering comprehensive protection for both you and the lender.
Some financing options may even offer car finance that includes insurance, allowing you to buy a car with insurance included. It’s essential to meet these insurance requirements to comply with your loan agreement and to avoid potential penalties or risks associated with inadequate coverage. Always consult with your lender about their specific insurance requirements to ensure you meet their criteria.
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What is auto insurance coverage required for a car loan?
Do you need full coverage on a new car? Your lender will probably make you buy coverage that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive.
- Many financial institutions require full coverage auto insurance before financing a car
- You will probably have to purchase an auto insurance policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive
- To find a cheap full coverage insurance policy for a financed car, you should use a comparison tool
When you finance a new car, you will need full coverage auto insurance.
The table below shows the average yearly rates for full coverage across the United States.
Auto Insurance Average Rates in the U.S.
| Type of Auto Insurance Coverage | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Collision | $25 |
| Comprehensive | $12 |
| Liability | $43 |
| Full Coverage | $80 |
When insurance agents and other drivers talk about full coverage auto insurance, they are referring to a policy that includes these types of auto insurance coverage:
- Liability coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
This type of full-featured policy protects you, whether you are at fault or someone else is at fault, in the case of an accident.
What are the common lender auto insurance requirements?
If you finance a car, what insurance do you need? Do you need full coverage when financing a car, or is basic coverage enough?
It would be best if you asked about lending requirements and auto loan insurance requirements before you enter into any financial contract. When you finance a car, you don’t hold the title until you pay the loan off.
The lender has a lien on the title until the loan balance is zero. While there is a lien on the title, the insurer, including companies like Bridgecrest auto finance, is free to dictate how much insurance you must purchase. They may specify the Bridgecrest insurance requirements to ensure adequate protection for the vehicle.
Most conventional lenders require borrowers to purchase full coverage insurance on the vehicle while the lender is a co-owner of the car. Full coverage insurance consists of physical damage coverage and the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Lessors may even require their borrowers to carry higher limits of liability for added protection.
Here’s what’s typically required for your car loan insurance requirements:
Bodily Injury: Pays for third-party medical expenses when you are at fault in an accident that results in injury
- Property Damage: Pays for third-party property repair when you are at fault in an accident that results in damage
- Comprehensive: Pays for damage to the covered auto when it’s damaged due to a fire, theft, vandalism, explosion, or flood
- Collision: Pays for damage to the covered auto when you collide with another object
Keep in mind this is the minimum insurance for a financed car, and requirements may differ from one lender to another.
Auto insurance is not one size fits all. You will be able to choose the coverages that are right for you while still meeting your lender’s requirements.
What is the penalty for not carrying full coverage auto insurance?
Do I need insurance to finance a car? Can I get liability insurance on a financed car?
If you want to try and cheat the system, you should think again. Lenders must be listed as the loss payee on the policy.
When there’s a loss payee clause, the company must notify the lender when coverage expires, cancels, or renews. The lender will also be on the check when the payment of a claim is made.
If you fail to keep your insurance active, the lender can add force-placed insurance costs to the loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that this is a lot more expensive than a regular policy. This may even be applied to your loan so that you’ll end up paying it anyway.
Force-placed insurance can be expensive and time-consuming to remove, so it’s in your best interest to avoid this scenario.Chris Abrams Licensed Insurance Agent
Force-placed insurance doesn’t protect you in any way. If you want protection, you need to buy your standard, full-coverage car insurance. Since full coverage averages $80 per month in the United States, it’s important that you shop around.
Make sure you make a thorough rate comparison of your car loan insurance costs by entering your ZIP code into our free online quoting system.
The Reason for Full Coverage Auto Insurance
What insurance do you need to finance a car? If you have a car loan, full coverage insurance is likely required.
Finance companies want to protect their investment.
When you take out a loan to purchase a vehicle, the financial institution has a vested interest in your vehicle until you pay off your loan.
If you miss a payment or default on your loan, they have the option of repossessing the car and selling it to satisfy the terms of your loan.
If the vehicle is damaged at the time of the repossession, the finance company will incur the costs. Instead of risking this loss, the finance company wants to ensure you can cover this cost in the case of an accident.
We’ll discuss the three types of financed car insurance requirements these companies require:
Liability Auto Insurance
Can you have liability insurance on a financed car? To satisfy your state’s insurance laws requirements, you will need to purchase a policy that includes liability insurance.
Even vehicles that are paid off must have a minimum amount of liability coverage.
This policy pays for the damages caused by you if you hit another vehicle or damage someone else’s property with your vehicle. Liability insurance does not come with a deductible.
Collision Auto Insurance
Finance companies and lenders require collision auto insurance because it pays for the damage to your vehicle if you are the one who caused the accident.
If you hit another vehicle or damage your car by hitting an object, your collision policy pays for the damage to your car minus the amount of your deductible.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance
Your policy’s comprehensive auto insurance portion covers damage to your vehicle that did not occur while you were driving it.
Comprehensive claims include:
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Certain types of weather-related damage
Comprehensive insurance for a car loan may or may not have an associated deductible.
GAP Auto Insurance
What is the difference between GAP insurance and full coverage auto insurance?
If you’ve financed a car and purchased GAP auto insurance with your contract, you might have assumed that you were paying for your insurance each time you paid your car note.
While this is a fair assumption to make, GAP insurance isn’t the same thing as standard auto insurance.
You still need a standard auto insurance policy when you buy supplemental coverage.
GAP insurance stands for Guaranteed Auto Protection. It’s a supplemental form of coverage that’s available to help protect you from financial loss if you total a car that’s being financed or leased.
The purpose of GAP coverage is to pay after the standard auto insurance pays out the car’s total value after a damage loss. As its name implies, GAP insurance is supposed to fill in the gap that’s present when you owe more than a car is worth.
To protect yourself, you may want to consider purchasing a GAP insurance policy along with your full coverage insurance policy.
GAP Insurance protects you against financial loss if you get into a car accident that results in your car being declared a total loss.
Is GAP insurance worth it for a new car? When you drive off the lot, your vehicle automatically loses some value. GAP coverage helps with covering that depreciation if you need to make a claim.
When a car is declared a total loss, the insurance company offers you the value of your car instead of replacing your vehicle.
If this amount is less than what you owe on your car loan, you will have to pay off the remainder of that money out of pocket. GAP insurance ensures that you are not paying thousands once your vehicle is totaled.
How to Find an Affordable Auto Insurance Policy
If you know you will finance a new car ahead of time, it is in your best interest to use a comparison tool to compare prices. See our article, How do I compare auto insurance quotes?
Different make and model years of the vehicle affect auto insurance costs. The insurance company assesses a risk factor for each class and year of the vehicle.
Help reduce your financed car insurance cost when you're car shopping by noting the top 5 cheapest cars to insure: Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and Subaru Outback.Benjamin Carr Former State Farm Insurance Agent
When it comes to insuring a new car, the price of your auto insurance policy is influenced by factors including:
- Safety features
- Safety record
- Horsepower
- Overall cost
- Likelihood of being stolen
One way you can mitigate that cost is by comparing quotes for the vehicles you are considering purchasing. Comparing quotes will help you determine if the car is affordable in the long run.
When you finance a car does it include insurance?
Most lenders require you to purchase full coverage for your car until you’ve paid off the loan.
- Do you need full coverage on a financed car? If you finance a car, you have to comply with the terms of the finance contract to avoid raising the balance of your auto loan
- When you’re borrowing from a lender to buy a car, you’re technically not the vehicle owner or titleholder until you’ve paid off your loan
- When you pay the auto loan off, you will receive a clear title
- Even though you don’t legally own the vehicle outright, it’s your duty as the registered owner of the car to maintain insurance on the vehicle
- The lender and the dealer will not provide coverage for the car once you take possession of it
- Not only does the borrower have to comply with auto insurance laws mandated by the state, but they also have to comply with the rules set forth by the lender
- Virtually all lenders require their borrowers to purchase full coverage that includes at least comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Many lenders will also limit the auto insurance deductible that you choose to $500 or lower to ensure that you can repair the car when it’s damaged.
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Is auto insurance included in your finance contract?
When you’re approved for a loan, the creditor will issue a statement that shows how much you’ll pay each month, how much you’re financing, what the Annual Percentage Rate is, the finance charge, and the total cost of all of the payments.
All of the charges will be found in the loan contract. If you decide to add extras like a warranty or GAP insurance sold in the finance office, the amount financed and total interest paid can change.
You must know that the contract won’t automatically provide you with insurance for the car. It’s your duty to buy auto insurance separately.
Financing a Car Can Cost More Than Expected
When you get a good interest rate, financing your car purchase can make financial sense. After all, putting up $20,000 or more to buy a vehicle outright isn’t a feasible option for every consumer.
While financing is a good alternative, it might cost you more than you calculated in the dealership’s finance office.
One of the main reasons financing a car can cost you more than what’s laid out in your lending agreement is the lender’s insurance requirements. State requirements and lender requirements are very different.
The Federal Trade Commission notes that you should take a few steps before buying, like checking your credit score ahead of time.
When you get a car on finance, is insurance included? It would help if you bought a separate policy, and your lender will usually require that you have full coverage for the duration of the loan.
You must always have what’s required by the state, but you must have both state-mandated coverage limits and what’s required by the lender when you’re financing.
Can you select a high deductible for auto insurance?
Yes, you can find cheap auto insurance for a financed car. One way that you can save money on your auto insurance is by raising your deductibles. Unfortunately, this is a tactic that isn’t always useful when you’re financing.
Most finance companies limit how high your deductibles for comprehensive and collision can be. The purpose of the limit is to ensure that the property is repaired after a loss.
Most guidelines state that they can’t be higher than $500 without company approval. Approval for higher deductibles might be given on luxury cars or high loans where the borrower can afford $1,000 or $2,000 to cover damages.
If your deductible is too high, you will be penalized as if you don’t have insurance at all.
Can you choose any deductible for your auto insurance?
You have to have comprehensive and collision at all times, but you also have to comply with the deductible rules.
The deductible is the amount that has to be subtracted from your claim when it’s paid. Since carrying a high deductible can be a risk to the lender, it’s common for the loan contract to say that your deductible must be $500 or lower.
When you’re buying a car at a dealership, you have to budget for the monthly car payment and insurance expenses. Don’t overlook how much insurance rates can cost you over a year.
State Requirements for Auto Insurance
When a state has a mandatory auto insurance law, it’s the legal owner’s responsibility to comply with the law.
If you own the car outright, there’s no question who the legal owner is. When you’re financing a car, you don’t technically own the car until the loan balance reaches $0.
Even though you’re not the titleholder or owner of the car, it’s your duty to register the vehicle that you’re financing in your name.
The dealer will finance the car for you showing you as the registered owner. Since you’re the registered owner of the car, it’s your job to buy a minimum amount of mandatory coverage on your car so that you satisfy the law and avoid penalties.
You need to comply with state law to avoid being cited for a misdemeanor.
While coverage is required, not all coverage is mandatory. Each state has different coverage requirements based on the type of system.
Most of the minimum auto insurance requirements by state are a means to pay for others’ damages and not yours. Here’s what you’ll need to buy at the minimum:
- Bodily Injury
- Property Damage
- Personal Injury Protection (only required in no-fault states)
If you don’t meet your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, you can face fines, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time.
You can save on your monthly premiums by selecting liability insurance over full coverage. You should review your auto insurance contract every six months to make sure you aren’t paying for coverage that you don’t need.
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To find more affordable options, you can get online quotes from several companies at once. Use our online quote tool, enter your ZIP code, and start comparing the rates for various limits of auto insurance coverage right this very minute.
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The Bottom Line: Do I need full coverage auto insurance to finance a car?
You now know that the answer to the question, “Do I need full coverage auto insurance to finance a car?” is yes. New and financed cars have higher cash values and require protection from disasters. You can receive cheap full coverage car insurance if you shop around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t have insurance on my financed car?
If you don’t have insurance on your financed car, you may be in violation of your loan agreement, which could lead to penalties, repossession, or legal action by the lender.
What happens if you damage a financed car?
If you damage a financed car, you are still responsible for the loan. You’ll need to repair the damage and continue making your loan payments.
What happens if you don’t get full coverage on a financed car?
If you don’t get full coverage on a financed car, your lender may require you to obtain it or face penalties. Without full coverage, you risk not having enough coverage to repair or replace your car in case of an accident or theft.
If I finance a car do I need full coverage?
Yes, if you finance a car, most lenders will require you to have full coverage insurance to protect their investment until the loan is paid off.
If I finance a car do I own it?
If you finance a car, you don’t fully own it until you’ve paid off the loan in full. The lender holds the title until the loan is satisfied.
If I finance a car, does the insurance have to be in my name?
Yes, the insurance for a financed car typically needs to be in your name, but some lenders may allow it to be in the name of a co-signer or registered owner.
Does Drivetime require full coverage insurance?
Yes, Drivetime often requires full coverage insurance for financed vehicles to protect their interests until the loan is paid off.
Does Credit Acceptance require full coverage?
Yes, Credit Acceptance usually requires full coverage insurance for financed cars to safeguard their investment until the loan is settled.
Can I finance a car without full coverage?
Some lenders may allow you to finance a car without full coverage, but it’s less common and may come with higher interest rates or other conditions.
Can you pay for a car in full?
Yes, you can pay for a car in full without financing, which means you’ll own it outright without any loan or lien against it.
If you finance the cost of a vehicle, will you be required to carry collision insurance until it is paid off?
Yes, when you finance the cost of a vehicle, most lenders require you to carry collision insurance until the loan is fully paid off.
Is insurance included in car finance?
Insurance is not typically included in car finance. You’ll need to arrange and pay for insurance separately to meet your lender’s requirements.
Can I cancel insurance on a financed car?
You should not cancel insurance on a financed car without consulting your lender. Doing so could violate your loan agreement and result in penalties.
Can I finance a car for someone else?
Yes, you can finance a car for someone else, but you’ll be responsible for the loan if they fail to make payments.
Can I get liability on a financed car?
While liability insurance is often not enough for a financed car, some lenders may allow it in specific cases. However, they usually require full coverage to protect their investment.
Can I have liability on a financed car?
Having only liability insurance on a financed car is generally not sufficient for most lenders, who usually require full coverage.
Can I insure a car financed by someone else?
Yes, you can insure a car financed by someone else, but the insurance must meet the lender’s requirements, which often means full coverage.
Can I just get liability insurance on a financed car?
Some lenders may allow liability insurance on a financed car, but it’s less common and typically comes with conditions or higher interest rates.
Can I put liability insurance on a financed car?
While some lenders may permit liability insurance on a financed car, it’s often not enough coverage to satisfy their requirements.
Can I put liability on a financed car?
Putting only liability insurance on a financed car is usually insufficient for lenders, who generally require full coverage to protect their investment.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.