Comprehensive and collision coverage covers of the insured vehicle

What is comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage helps cover the cost of damages to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident that's not caused by a collision. Comprehensive coverage covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal. For example, if you are driving and hit a deer, the damage would be covered under comprehensive coverage. However, if you swerve to miss the deer and hit a tree, comprehensive coverage doesn't apply because this type of accident is considered a collision with an object.

Comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage you can carry to help protect your vehicle. Unlike some coverages, you don't select a limit for comprehensive. The most it will pay is based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. You will be responsible for paying your selected deductible.

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What does comprehensive cover?

Comprehensive coverage covers damages to your vehicle in certain situations. It's sometimes referred to as "other than collision" coverage. All that means is that it may cover damages to your vehicle that collision coverage doesn't. This may include, but is not limited to, things like:

  • Theft
  • Glass breakage
  • Fire
  • Floods and hail
  • Hitting an animal

What damage is not covered by comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by hitting another vehicle or object. These incidents are covered under collision coverage. It will also not cover normal wear and tear on your vehicle. Normal wear and tear includes items that normally need to be replaced over time from usage such as:

  • Belts and hoses
  • Brakes
  • Tires
  • Windshield wipers

Comprehensive Coverage vs. Collision Coverage

Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage can be used to help repair the damages caused to your vehicle in an accident. Both coverages have a deductible you are responsible for paying before the coverage starts covering the damage. The coverages differ in the situations in which they apply.

Comprehensive coverage applies when:

  • Your car hits a deer
  • Someone steals your vehicle
  • Your car is damaged in a hailstorm

Collision coverage applies when:

  • You swerve to miss a dog and hit a fence
  • Another vehicle hits your vehicle
  • You have a single car loss with damage to the vehicle

Why should you buy comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage:

  • Can be used no matter who's at fault
  • Helps pay for repairs, over your deductible, so you're not stuck paying the entire bill on your own
  • Is required by most lienholders along with collision coverage. This helps to protect their interest in the vehicle.

What is a comprehensive deductible?

A comprehensive deductible is the amount you've agreed to pay before the insurance company starts paying for damages. You can think of it as how much of the financial risk you're willing to take on if you're in an accident. Typically, the more risk you're willing to take (higher deductible), the lower your insurance cost would be. The less risk (lower deductible), the higher your insurance costs would be.

Let's say there's a bad hailstorm in your area and your vehicle has $1,000 in damage. You have a $100 deductible on your comprehensive coverage. You'll pay the first $100, and then your insurance company will pay the remaining $900 of the vehicle repair bill. If you have an older vehicle, you may want to consider whether you need comprehensive coverage as it is normally limited to the actual cash value of your car.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

Comprehensive and collision insurance are two of the most important types of car insurance to understand. They’re not legally required by any state, but they can come to the rescue in a variety of situations.

Collision and comprehensive coverage are often sold as a package. Both pay to fix damage to your own car or replace it entirely — but they don’t cover injuries or damage to anyone else’s property.

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Key terms in this article

Here are some common terms you will see associated with comprehensive and collision coverage.

A deductible is a set amount that is subtracted from a claim payout. When you buy your insurance policy, you select your deductible. If you choose a high deductible you will have a lower car insurance premium, but you will also pay more out-of-pocket if you make a claim.

The value of your car in its current condition, not the price when you bought it or the trade-in value at a dealership. Cars decrease in value over time, so the actual cash value of your car will be less (sometimes significantly) than the purchase price.

Comprehensive vs. collision insurance

The main difference between comprehensive and collision insurance are the situations covered. Collision insurance pays for damage to your car if you hit an object or another vehicle, while comprehensive coverage pays for theft or damage from causes such as bad weather, fire or fallen trees. Some insurers require that you purchase collision and comprehensive insurance together, while other insurers may allow you to purchase these two types of coverage separately.

Collision insurance pays for:

  • Damage to your car in an accident you cause.

  • Damage to your car if you hit an object such as a fence or pole.

  • Damage to your car if someone else hits you. Another option in this case is to make a claim against the other driver's liability insurance.

Comprehensive insurance pays for:

The actual cash value of your car if it's stolen and not recovered, and damage from:

  • Weather such as tornadoes or hail.

  • Floods.

  • Fire.

  • Falling objects.

  • Explosions.

  • Crashes with an animal, such as striking a deer.

  • Riots and civil disturbances.

  • Vandalism.

How much comprehensive and collision coverage cost

To get realistic comparisons, we analyzed rates for minimum-coverage policies and compared them with policies with comprehensive, collision and higher liability limits. Together these three types of coverage are commonly considered “full coverage” car insurance.

Here are the rates for drivers with good credit and no recent traffic violations or accidents at the five largest auto insurance companies in the U.S. (In most states, drivers with good credit typically qualify for lower rates than those with poor credit. Four states — California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan — don't allow insurers to use credit in setting car insurance rates.)

Company

Full coverage

Minimum required coverage

Annual difference

Allstate

$1,994

$648

$1,346

Geico

$1,233

$370

$863

Progressive

$1,739

$625

$1,114

State Farm

$1,381

$473

$908

USAA*

$1,238

$396

$842

*USAA is available only to military members, veterans and their families.

Car insurance rates vary widely by state for similar policies, and adding comprehensive and collision coverage costs more in some places than others. Below are the average cost differences between minimum and full coverage policies in every state for a driver with good credit and no recent tickets or accidents. Keep in mind that your own rate will depend on the value of your car, your location, your driving history and the deductible amount that you choose.

State

Full coverage

Minimum coverage

Annual difference

National

$1,630

$561

$1,069

Alabama

$1,735

$575

$1,160

Alaska

$1,344

$418

$926

Arizona

$1,669

$588

$1,081

Arkansas

$1,920

$507

$1,413

California

$2,005

$629

$1,376

Colorado

$1,950

$512

$1,438

Connecticut

$1,785

$884

$901

Delaware

$2,138

$969

$1,169

Florida

$2,780

$1,084

$1,696

Georgia

$1,715

$719

$996

Hawaii

$1,188

$391

$797

Idaho

$1,050

$338

$712

Illinois

$1,383

$512

$871

Indiana

$1,153

$354

$799

Iowa

$1,131

$240

$891

Kansas

$1,840

$482

$1,358

Kentucky

$2,488

$911

$1,577

Louisiana

$3,094

$957

$2,137

Maine

$1,102

$374

$728

Maryland

$2,062

$945

$1,117

Massachusetts

$1,169

$459

$710

Michigan

$2,125

$913

$1,212

Minnesota

$1,463

$548

$915

Mississippi

$1,900

$575

$1,325

Missouri

$1,760

$537

$1,223

Montana

$2,008

$460

$1,548

Nebraska

$1,424

$349

$1,075

Nevada

$2,581

$1,002

$1,579

New Hampshire

$1,277

$443

$834

New Jersey

$1,971

$973

$998

New Mexico

$1,505

$413

$1,092

New York

$2,020

$941

$1,079

North Carolina

$1,255

$402

$853

North Dakota

$1,302

$368

$934

Ohio

$1,098

$391

$707

Oklahoma

$1,965

$472

$1,493

Oregon

$1,383

$681

$702

Pennsylvania

$1,535

$458

$1,077

Rhode Island

$2,149

$866

$1,283

South Carolina

$1,611

$601

$1,010

South Dakota

$1,502

$311

$1,191

Tennessee

$1,439

$407

$1,032

Texas

$1,749

$611

$1,138

Utah

$1,655

$667

$988

Vermont

$1,108

$353

$755

Virginia

$1,460

$533

$927

Washington

$1,317

$472

$845

Washington, D.C.

$1,993

$758

$1,235

West Virginia

$1,622

$512

$1,110

Wisconsin

$1,271

$374

$897

Wyoming

$1,484

$336

$1,148

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How to save on comprehensive and collision insurance

As you can see, average annual rates can vary by hundreds of dollars, so it’s worth shopping around for car insurance quotes from several companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Another way to save money is by raising your comprehensive and collision deductibles. An insurance deductible is a predetermined amount that is subtracted from a claim payout. Many policies offer options as high as $2,000. But do this only if you’re prepared to spend more of your own funds to fix or replace your car.

Do I need comprehensive and collision insurance?

About 79% of all U.S. drivers buy comprehensive coverage, and 75% buy collision, according to the Insurance Information Institute, which based its analysis on 2019 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

You should consider buying comprehensive and collision insurance if:

  • You lease your vehicle or took out a loan to buy it. Your lender or leasing company probably requires you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage.

  • You couldn’t afford to replace or significantly repair your car if you crashed it or someone stole it.

  • Your area has a high incidence of car theft, vandalism, severe weather (like hail) or animal collisions.

You probably don’t need comprehensive and collision insurance if your car is older and not worth a lot. Remember the maximum payout will be the value of your car if it’s totaled or stolen, minus the deductible.

If your car’s value is low, consider whether the potential payout would be worth the premiums you’ll pay. Remember, too, that the deductible amount will reduce any claims check.

Check out NADAguides for your car’s current value.

What is comprehensive and collision coverage?

Comprehensive provides coverage for events outside your control that are not caused by a collision, like weather, vandalism and theft. Collision coverage is for damage resulting from an accident with another vehicle or object.

Is comprehensive and collision insurance the same as full coverage?

Full auto coverage includes comprehensive and collision insurance, in addition to any optional coverages you need and your insurer offers. In the instance of an accident, it provides financial protection against damages to your vehicle and occupants, as well as damages to the other party's vehicle and passengers.

What does comprehensive coverage cover on a vehicle?

Comprehensive insurance coverage is defined as an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events that are outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature.

What is not covered in comprehensive car insurance?

What damage is not covered by comprehensive coverage? Comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by hitting another vehicle or object. These incidents are covered under collision coverage. It will also not cover normal wear and tear on your vehicle.