How much does comprehensive coverage add to liability-only?
Comprehensive coverage adds $1,200 to $2,800 per year to liability-only policies for most drivers. This upgrade protects your car from theft, weather damage, and other non-collision events. Liability-only covers damage you cause to others. It leaves your vehicle unprotected.
Here's what you need to know:
- National average: Liability costs $820 per year. Full coverage (liability + comprehensive + collision) runs $2,697 per year. That's $1,877 extra (Source: Bankrate Insurance Analysis, 2026).
- In Texas (ZIP 78705): Drivers pay $1,200-$1,800 for liability. Adding comprehensive boosts it to $2,700-$4,300. Extra cost: $1,500-$2,500 (Source: Sidekick owner data, N=1,200, February 2026).
- "Upgrading to comprehensive saves owners an average of $8,400 in out-of-pocket repair costs after hail storms," says the Sidekick Research Team, based on 950 Texas claims.
Cost Breakdown by Driver Profile
| Driver Type | Liability-Only | With Comprehensive | Added Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 25, Clean Record | $1,100/year | $2,600/year | $1,500 |
| Age 40, Married | $900/year | $2,400/year | $1,500 |
| Age 60, Good History | $750/year | $2,100/year | $1,350 |
Data from Quadrant Information Services and Sidekick analysis of 78705 drivers (2026). Costs vary by deductible. Choose $500 deductible to save 10-15%.
Why Add Comprehensive?
Texas weather hits hard. Hail storms in Austin average $4,200 per claim. Comprehensive covers that after your deductible. Without it, you pay full price.
Liability-only works if your car is old and worth under $4,000. Most drivers need more protection. Lenders require it for financed cars.
4 Steps to Cut the Added Cost
- Raise your deductible to $1,000. Saves $300/year.
- Bundle with home insurance. Drops rates 20%.
- Shop quotes from 3 companies. Geico and Progressive offer lowest add-ons.
- Use Sidekick to track real owner rates in 78705. We analyze 1,200 local policies monthly.
Average full coverage is 229% more than liability. But it pays off. One theft claim averages $9,000 saved (Source: Insurance Information Institute, 2026).
Sidekick helps you compare. Enter your details for a custom cost breakdown. See if the upgrade fits your budget today.