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. Show
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. Let's work together to find the right coverage for you. 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:
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:
Comprehensive Coverage vs. Collision CoverageComprehensive 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:
Collision coverage applies when:
Why should you buy comprehensive coverage?Comprehensive coverage:
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. See what you could save on car insuranceEasily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. Key terms in this articleHere are some common terms you will see associated with comprehensive and collision coverage.
Comprehensive vs. collision insuranceThe 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.
How much comprehensive and collision coverage costTo 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.)
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.
See what you could save on car insuranceEasily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you. How to save on comprehensive and collision insuranceAs 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 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.
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