Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Explained

When it comes to car insurance, you may have heard of comprehensive and collision coverage. But what do these terms mean, and why are they important? In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of comprehensive and collision insurance, what they cover, and whether or not you need them.

What is Comprehensive Insurance?

Comprehensive insurance is a type of car insurance coverage that helps pay for damage to your vehicle that’s not caused by a collision. This includes damage from natural disasters, theft, vandalism, and other non-collision events.

Comprehensive insurance is typically an optional coverage, meaning you can choose whether or not to include it in your car insurance policy. However, if you have a car loan or lease, your lender or leasing company may require you to have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive insurance typically covers the following types of damage to your vehicle:

Damage Type
Examples of Covered Events
Weather-related damage
Hail, lightning, flooding, windstorm, tornado, hurricane
Theft
Stealing of your car or parts of your car
Vandalism
Damage caused by someone intentionally damaging your vehicle
Animal-related damage
Hitting an animal or damage caused by an animal (e.g. scratching, biting)
Other non-collision damage
Fire, explosions, falling objects, civil disturbances, riots, etc.

Keep in mind that each insurance policy may have specific limits and exclusions for comprehensive coverage. Be sure to read your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered.

How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?

The cost of comprehensive insurance varies depending on a number of factors, such as:

  • The make and model of your car
  • Your location
  • Your driving history
  • Your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in)

Generally, the more expensive and newer your car is, the more comprehensive insurance will cost. However, it’s important to remember that the cost of comprehensive insurance is often much less than the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it’s damaged in a non-collision event.

What is Collision Insurance?

Collision insurance is a type of car insurance coverage that helps pay for damage to your vehicle that’s caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.

Like comprehensive insurance, collision insurance is typically optional, but may be required if you have a car loan or lease.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

Collision insurance typically covers damage to your vehicle resulting from:

  • Collisions with other vehicles
  • Collisions with objects (e.g. trees, walls, fences)
  • Single-car accidents (e.g. hitting a pothole, running off the road)

Again, each insurance policy may have specific limits and exclusions for collision coverage, so be sure to read your policy carefully.

How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?

Like comprehensive insurance, the cost of collision insurance depends on several factors, including:

  • The make and model of your car
  • Your location
  • Your driving history
  • Your deductible

Generally, collision insurance is more expensive than comprehensive insurance because it covers a broader range of incidents.

Do I Need Comprehensive or Collision Insurance?

Whether or not you need comprehensive or collision insurance depends on several factors, including:

  • The age and value of your car
  • Your driving habits and history
  • Your financial situation

If you have an older car that isn’t worth much, you may not need comprehensive or collision insurance. However, if you have a newer car or one that is still under a loan or lease, you may want to consider these types of coverage to protect your investment.

Additionally, if you frequently drive in areas with a high risk of natural disasters, theft, or vandalism, you may want to consider comprehensive insurance. Similarly, if you live in an area with a high risk of accidents, collision insurance may be a good idea.

FAQ

What’s the difference between comprehensive and collision insurance?

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that’s not caused by a collision, such as theft or weather-related damage, while collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.

Do I need both comprehensive and collision insurance?

Whether or not you need both types of coverage depends on several factors, such as the age and value of your car and your driving habits.

How much does comprehensive and collision insurance cost?

The cost of these types of coverage varies depending on several factors, such as the make and model of your car, your location, and your deductible.

What should I consider when deciding whether or not to get comprehensive or collision insurance?

You should consider several factors, such as the age and value of your car, your driving habits and history, and your financial situation.

Can I purchase comprehensive or collision insurance on its own?

Yes, in most cases you can purchase these types of coverage individually, but they are often bundled together as “full coverage” insurance.

What if I have an accident and I don’t have comprehensive or collision insurance?

If you don’t have these types of coverage and you are at fault for an accident, you will be responsible for paying for the damages to your vehicle out of pocket.

Conclusion

Comprehensive and collision insurance are important types of car insurance coverage that can help protect your vehicle in a variety of situations. Whether or not you need these types of coverage depends on several factors, so it’s important to carefully consider your options and read your policy carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered.