Full Coverage car insurance is a term that I often hear when people decide to call a personal injury lawyer. Car accident victims want to know who will pay for what, after being hurt in an Illinois car accident that was not their fault. They want to know if the driver responsible for the accident had “full coverage”, or if their own “full coverage” car insurance will provide what they need.
What Does “Full Coverage” Really Mean in Illinois?
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident and assume your “full coverage” car insurance will handle everything, you’re not alone. Many people believe “full coverage” means they’re protected in any situation—until they file a claim and realize they aren’t.
The truth is that “full coverage” is a misleading term used by insurance companies. It doesn’t mean you’re covered for every possible scenario. In reality, it usually includes only:
- Liability Insurance – Covers damage to other people and property if you’re at fault.
- Collision Coverage – Pays for damage to your own vehicle in an accident.
- Comprehensive Coverage – Covers non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, or weather damage.
That’s it. It doesn’t mean you have “Med Pay” (medical coverage), lost wage protection, or compensation for pain and suffering. For many personal injury accident victims, that realization comes too late.
What “Full Coverage” DOESN’T Cover—And How It Affects You After an Accident
Many personal injury victims expect their insurance to cover everything, but standard policies often lack these critical protections:
🚫 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage – If the driver who hit you has no insurance or too little, you could be left paying the bills for your own injuries if you do not have Uninsured or Underinsured coverage on your auto policy.
🚫 Medical Payments (MedPay) – This covers medical bills, but they’re not included in most basic policies. Without them, you may have to rely on your health insurance—if you have it.
🚫 Lost Wages & Pain and Suffering – Car insurance doesn’t compensate you for the time you miss from work, your reduced earning capacity, or the emotional toll of an accident.
🚫 Gap Insurance – If your car is totaled and you owe more on your loan than the vehicle’s value, you’ll have to cover the difference. This means that you will still have a car payment, without the car.
🚫 Roadside Assistance & Rental Car Coverage – After an accident, getting a rental or having your car towed can be expensive unless you have additional coverage.
The Devastating Impact on Personal Injury Victims
Many accident victims only realize they don’t have enough coverage after they’ve been injured. Here’s how this can play out in real life:
🔴 Case 1: Hit by an Uninsured Driver – A client was driving in the heavy traffic of suburban Chicago when another driver ran a red light and crashed into them. The at-fault driver had no insurance. Our client thought their “full coverage” policy would pay for their medical bills—but it didn’t because they didn’t have uninsured motorist coverage or Med Pay.
🔴 Case 2: Severe Injuries, No MedPay – After a T-bone collision, a client needed extensive physical therapy and surgery. They assumed their “full coverage” would handle medical bills. Instead, they had to use their own health insurance, which had high deductibles and co-pays.
🔴 Case 3: Totaled Car, Unexpected Loan Debt – A client’s new car was totaled in an accident. Their insurance paid only the car’s market value, leaving them $5,000 in debt on the remaining loan balance. They didn’t realize they needed gap insurance for full financial protection.
Why Insurance Companies Use the Term “Full Coverage”
When insurance companies use vague language, it make policies sound better than they are. The term “full coverage” creates a false sense of security, leading many people to believe they are protected against all scenarios.
In reality, they are often severely underinsured, and insurance companies profit by offering only the bare minimum. Insurance works very differently than other products in that sometimes the product that is not sold to the consumer is what saves the company money. Additional coverages like Med Pay are often pretty cheap. If you are in a car accident and need to use Med Pay to pay the hospital or doctors, the medical bills will be a lot more expensive than your premiums.
Protecting yourself from insufficient insurance
Many people only learn about these gaps after an accident—when they’re already dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Take these steps today:
✅ Review Your Insurance Policy – Don’t assume you have the coverage you need. Ask your insurance company exactly what is and isn’t included. We will also be happy to look at your Illinois insurance policy for you, no strings attached. Just send us your most recent declarations page and arrange for a phone call with attorney Cadiz.
✅ Increase Your Coverage If Possible – Consider adding:
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
- Medical Payments (MedPay)
- Gap Insurance
- Rental Car & Roadside Assistance Coverage
I believe that more insurance is better
✅ Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer – If you’ve been in an accident, don’t trust the insurance company to voluntarily pay you what you deserve. They won’t. Car insurance companies are notorious for not paying claims that they should or underpaying on claims. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you:
- Identify any additional coverage that might apply to your case.
- Negotiate with the insurance company to maximize your claim.
- Pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
What to Do If You’re an Accident Victim With Insufficient Insurance
If you’re already in a difficult situation and discovering that your policy doesn’t offer the protection you thought, don’t panic. You may still have options including:
- Uninsured motorist claims if you have UM/UIM coverage.
- Legal action against negligent parties who contributed to your accident.
An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case and help you pursue maximum compensation—even if your insurance coverage is lacking.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Fall for the “Full Coverage” Myth
The insurance industry has misled drivers for years by using the term “full coverage.” Many personal injury victims only learn the truth after an accident—when they’re facing medical bills, lost wages, and denied claims.
Protect yourself now. Review your policy, increase your coverage, and if you’ve been injured, consult with a trusted personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights. At O’Connor Cadiz Accident and Injury Law, we are local to Chicago and the suburbs with an office in Elgin and one in Schaumburg. Call us at 630 250-8813 in Elgin or 847 631-6125 in Schaumburg. One of the first things that we do for our clients is to evaluate different insurance scenarios, unique to their case.