“Full coverage” isn’t an official GEICO policy type. GEICO’s own site says there’s no standard definition, and the phrase typically means liability coverage plus collision and comprehensive, bought together. Beyond those three, GEICO lets you personalize the policy with optional add-ons, and a few commonly assumed protections aren’t automatically included.
What that combination actually pays for depends on the limits and deductibles you choose, so two drivers who both say they have “full coverage” can have very different protection.
Key Takeaways
- Full coverage has no official definition. GEICO says it typically means liability plus collision and comprehensive, not one fixed package.
- Collision and comprehensive each carry their own deductible; a higher deductible lowers your premium but raises what you pay out of pocket when you file a claim.
- GEICO sells optional add-ons on top, including roadside assistance, rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance, each priced separately.
- GEICO’s own auto policies don’t include gap insurance. If you’re financing or leasing, that’s a separate conversation.
What “Full Coverage” Usually Means
GEICO’s own full coverage guide says people “typically use the term to refer to a policy that carries both comprehensive and collision coverages, in addition to state-required liability coverage.” Liability, which includes the bodily injury piece we cover in what GEICO pays for bodily injury, handles injuries and damage you cause to others.
Collision pays to repair your own car after it hits another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. Comprehensive covers theft, hail, vandalism, floods, fire and animal strikes. Both carry a deductible you choose, so raising it trims your premium but raises your share of any claim.
| Coverage | Pays For | Deductible? |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Injuries or damage you cause to others | No |
| Collision | Damage to your own car after hitting a vehicle or object | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Theft, weather, vandalism, animal strikes and similar non-collision losses | Yes |
None of the three pays for normal wear, mechanical failure or your own car’s depreciation. GEICO sells some of that protection separately as add-ons.
Add-Ons GEICO Sells On Top of Full Coverage
GEICO’s full coverage page names several ways to personalize the policy beyond the three core coverages:
- Roadside Assistance (Emergency Roadside Service): towing, jump starts, lockouts, fuel delivery and flat-tire help.
- Rental Reimbursement: helps pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop after a covered claim.
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): covers repair costs for major mechanical parts, separate from a manufacturer’s warranty.
- Accident Forgiveness: GEICO names this as a full coverage personalization option on the same page.
GEICO also lists Custom Parts and Equipment coverage for aftermarket upgrades, useful if you’ve added parts such as a stereo, lift kit or custom wheels.
What Full Coverage Doesn’t Automatically Include
Gap insurance is the big one. GEICO’s own auto policies don’t include it, so if you owe more on a loan or lease than the car is worth, ask about how GEICO handles gap insurance and where else to find it. Comprehensive and collision also don’t cover normal wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns. GEICO’s MBI is the add-on for covered mechanical failures, and it’s only open to newer cars.
Who Actually Needs It
If you have a loan or lease, the lender or leasing company, not state law, typically requires collision and comprehensive until it’s paid off. That’s a contract requirement, separate from your state’s legal liability minimum.
Once a car is paid off, it comes down to what you can afford to replace out of pocket. A car worth a few thousand dollars may not be worth a full-coverage premium if you have savings to cover a total loss, while a newer car costs more to replace on your own. There’s no single right answer, only a tradeoff between the premium and your own risk tolerance.
Since the price swings with your limits, deductibles and driving record, see what typically drives full coverage pricing with GEICO before you decide what to buy, and compare car insurance quotes with the same coverages and deductibles across insurers so you’re comparing like for like.