"Full coverage" isn't a thing. Here's what is.
Collision, comprehensive, liability — these questions come up in our shop every day. We're sharing what we see on the repair side to help you understand what may apply to your situation.
"Full coverage" is not an official insurance term — we hear it constantly in our shop. What matters is which specific coverages are listed in your policy.
For general education only. Williams Paint & Body Shop is a licensed collision repair facility — not a licensed insurance agent, broker, or legal advisor. Our team frequently helps customers understand how collision repair and claims processes may interact with their insurance coverage, but nothing on this site constitutes insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage terms, policy limits, and state requirements vary. Always consult your insurer or a licensed professional regarding your specific policy. Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
What each type
actually covers.
Most confusion comes from not knowing which coverage type applies to which situation. Here's a plain-language breakdown.
Liability Only
Covers damage and injuries you cause to OTHER people and their property. Does not cover your own vehicle at all.
What it covers
What it does NOT cover
Florida requires minimum $10,000 Property Damage Liability (PDL) and $10,000 PIP. Bodily injury liability is not state-required but strongly recommended.
Liability + Collision
Adds collision coverage on top of liability. Your own vehicle is repaired after an accident — whether it was your fault or not — after you pay your deductible.
What it covers
What it does NOT cover
Collision coverage requires a deductible — typically $500–$1,000. You choose this amount when purchasing your policy.
"Full Coverage"
"Full coverage" is not an official insurance term — it's a phrase people use to describe having all three main types: liability, collision, and comprehensive. Each still has its own deductible and limitations.
What it covers
What it does NOT cover
Even with so-called "full coverage," you still pay your deductible. And lenders often require this level of coverage if you have a financed or leased vehicle.
Situations we see
in our shop every day.
Here's how coverage generally tends to apply to common repair scenarios we handle — always confirm the specifics with your insurer.
You rear-end another car at a stoplight
Your liability pays for their damage. Collision pays for yours (minus your deductible).
A hailstorm damages your parked car
Comprehensive covers the repair. In Florida, any glass damage has no deductible.
An uninsured driver runs a red light and hits you
Their liability can't help — your UM/UIM coverage steps in to cover your vehicle and medical costs.
Someone keys your car or breaks a window
Comprehensive covers vandalism and glass. File with your own insurer.
You hit a deer on the highway
This is a comprehensive claim — not collision. No need to prove fault.
The other driver is at fault and has insurance
File a third-party claim against their liability. No deductible owed by you.
Things we hear
in our shop all the time.
""Full coverage" means everything is covered."
There is no insurance product called "full coverage." The phrase is shorthand for having liability, collision, and comprehensive — but even then, you still pay a deductible, and exclusions still apply (mechanical failure, wear and tear, etc.).
"If the other driver hits me, my insurance pays."
It depends on the type of loss. Florida is a no-fault state for injuries, so your own PIP coverage pays your medical bills first — regardless of who caused the accident. Vehicle damage still follows fault: if the other driver is at fault, you file a third-party claim against their property damage liability — no deductible. If they're uninsured or underinsured, you'll need your own UM/UIM coverage, or you may be stuck.
"Liability insurance covers my car if I cause an accident."
Liability only covers damage you cause to others. If you're at fault and only carry liability, your vehicle repairs come out of your own pocket. You need collision coverage to protect your own car.
"Comprehensive covers everything that isn't a collision."
Comprehensive is broad — hail, flood, theft, vandalism, fire, animal strikes, falling objects — but it doesn't cover mechanical failure or normal wear. It's sometimes called "other than collision" coverage.
"Animal strikes or storm damage aren't worth claiming."
In North Florida and the Panhandle, deer collisions are among the most common comprehensive insurance claims — and they can total a vehicle. Comprehensive coverage typically protects against animal strikes, storms, falling debris, theft, and vandalism, subject to your deductible. If you carry comprehensive, Florida law also generally requires your insurer to waive the deductible on windshield replacement.
Florida minimums —
and what's often missing.
Based on what we see in our shop, Florida's minimum requirements often leave drivers surprised at the gaps when a claim is filed. Verify your own policy with your insurer.
Covers other people's property if you cause an accident.
Covers 80% of your medical bills and 60% of lost wages regardless of fault — does NOT cover your vehicle.
Strongly recommended. May be legally required in certain situations — DUI convictions, prior accident history, or SR-22 filings. Without it, you're personally liable for injuries you cause to others.
Required by lenders if your vehicle is financed or leased.
Required by lenders. Covers hail, flood, theft, vandalism — all common in Florida.
If you carry comprehensive coverage, Florida law typically requires your insurer to waive the deductible on windshield replacement. No comprehensive coverage = no glass coverage.
Have questions about your repair?
Bring your vehicle in — we'll walk you through what we're seeing on the repair side and how we typically coordinate with insurers. We're collision repair professionals, not insurance advisors, but we've worked alongside every major insurer in the area for over a decade.
Important Disclaimer
Williams Paint & Body Shop is a licensed collision repair facility — not a licensed insurance agent, broker, or legal advisor. Our team frequently helps customers understand how collision repair and claims processes may interact with their insurance coverage. The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, insurance, or financial advice. Coverage terms, policy limits, and state requirements may vary. Always consult your insurance carrier, a licensed insurance professional, or a legal advisor regarding your specific policy.