Insurance Requirements for Leased Cars
Insuring a leased car requires full coverage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage — unlike owned cars, where you can get just liability insurance. Some lessors may also require gap insurance.
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By Mark Fitzpatrick
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Head of Insurance, MoneyGeek
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do.html), [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
Edited by Lukas VeluntaLukas Velunta is a MoneyGeek senior editor with over 12 years of experience in economics, finance, management and consumer science content. He also works as a research editor, preparing articles from non-native English speakers for peer review in Q1 journals.
MF
By Mark Fitzpatrick
MF
Head of Insurance, MoneyGeek
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/15/cant-keep-up-with-insurance-premiums-heres-what-to-do.html), [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/flooded-cars-are-problem-their-owners-future-car-buyers-n1278493) and [Mashable](https://mashable.com/article/tesla-insurance-rates). Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
Edited by Lukas VeluntaLukas Velunta is a MoneyGeek senior editor with over 12 years of experience in economics, finance, management and consumer science content. He also works as a research editor, preparing articles from non-native English speakers for peer review in Q1 journals.
Updated: May 20, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Both leased and owned cars require insurance, with state minimums often including liability and possibly uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection. Leasing companies usually add their own requirements, such as comprehensive and collision insurance, and may also suggest gap insurance to cover any value discrepancies.
Lessees must purchase insurance for their leased car because it's not included. Not doing so could lead to penalties from the lessor or the imposition of force-placed insurance, which is often more expensive.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek evaluated information from Quadrant Information Services and state insurance departments using different driver profiles and locations to illustrate how important it is to compare car insurance rates when shopping for a policy. This is because rates for the same profile can vary by the insurance company.
