Paul Sanchez
Comprehensive auto insurance is an optional coverage that assists with payments to repair or replace your vehicle in incidents of theft or non-collision damage. It covers damage to your car caused by a variety of accidents that aren't traffic-related, including weather events, falling objects, car theft, vandalism, and civil disobedience. Comprehensive coverage is typically paired with liability and collision coverage for maximum protection, but it is not required by law unless you lease or finance your vehicle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Required by law | No |
| Required by lenders if the car is leased or financed | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by collision with another vehicle | No |
| Covers damage caused by collision with a stationary object | No |
| Covers damage caused by theft | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by vandalism | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by natural disasters | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by animals | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by falling objects | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by fire | Yes |
| Covers damage caused by civil disobedience | Yes |
| Covers personal belongings inside the car | No |
| Covers damage caused by potholes | No |
| Covers normal wear and tear | No |
What You'll Learn
Comprehensive insurance covers theft and vandalism
Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events outside of your control. This includes theft and vandalism.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage is defined as an optional coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by events other than road accidents. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature. It is often referred to as "comprehensive insurance," but it is not a separate type of insurance. Instead, it refers to a specific coverage on an existing policy.
What Comprehensive Insurance Covers
Comprehensive insurance covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal. For example, if your vehicle is vandalised and has broken windows, slashed tires, spray paint on the hood, or keyed doors, comprehensive insurance will help cover the cost of repairs. If your vehicle is stolen, comprehensive insurance will also help cover the cost of replacing it.
When to Buy Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is worth adding to your insurance policy if you want peace of mind and want your car protected in all scenarios. It is also a good idea to purchase comprehensive insurance if you have a new car or a high-value vehicle. Lenders may also require you to carry comprehensive insurance when you finance or lease a vehicle.
How Comprehensive Insurance Works
If your vehicle is vandalised, you will need to document any damages and call your insurer immediately. They will send an adjuster to inspect your car and estimate the repair costs. You can then have your car towed to the repair shop and pick up a rental car if you have rental reimbursement coverage. After the repairs are completed, you will pick up your car and pay the repair shop your deductible.
Cost of Comprehensive Insurance
The cost of comprehensive insurance varies depending on factors such as age, driving record, vehicle type, state, deductible, and coverage limit. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average annual comprehensive insurance premium for drivers in the US in 2019 was $171.87, with prices ranging from $96.53 in California to $347.61 in South Dakota.
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It also covers natural disasters
Comprehensive auto insurance is an optional coverage that helps pay for repairs or replacements to your vehicle in incidents other than collisions. This includes natural disasters, such as:
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Flooding
- Earthquakes
- Wildfires
- Tornadoes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Landslides
- Lightning strikes
Comprehensive coverage exists for events that are out of your control, and natural disasters fall into this category. It covers the maximum amount based on the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle minus your chosen deductible.
It's important to note that comprehensive coverage is not mandatory, and specific coverage can vary depending on the policy and insurance provider. Some policies may exclude certain types of natural disasters, so it's crucial to carefully review your policy and understand its limitations. Additionally, comprehensive coverage does not cover damage to another person's property or any medical expenses.
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, it is wise to consider comprehensive coverage. This type of insurance provides peace of mind and financial stability by covering vehicle repairs or replacements in the event of a natural disaster.
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Comprehensive insurance is optional
Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that assists with payments to repair or replace your vehicle in incidents of theft or non-collision damage. It is not required by state law, but it may be required by your lender if you lease or finance your vehicle.
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. This includes losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal. For example, if your vehicle sustains damage during a hail storm, your comprehensive coverage will help pay for repairs if you file a claim.
Comprehensive insurance is worth adding to your policy if you want peace of mind and want your car protected in all scenarios. It covers a variety of unexpected events, including natural disasters (such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions), contact with animals, theft, and fallen objects.
The cost of comprehensive coverage varies depending on personal factors such as age, gender, marital status, driving record, vehicle details, and location. It is typically purchased alongside collision and liability insurance, which are often required by lenders and states.
In summary, comprehensive insurance is optional but can provide valuable protection against unforeseen events that are beyond your control. It is worth considering if you want to ensure your vehicle is covered in a wide range of situations.
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It doesn't cover damage to another person's property
Comprehensive auto insurance helps cover the cost of damages to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident that's not caused by a collision. It covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal. For example, if your vehicle is damaged in a hailstorm, comprehensive coverage will help pay for repairs.
However, it's important to note that comprehensive coverage does not cover damage to another person's property. This type of damage falls under property damage liability insurance, which covers repairs to another person's car or property when you are at fault in an accident. This includes damage to another vehicle, a fence, a lamppost, or any other property that is not your own.
Property damage liability insurance is typically required by law in most states and is an essential component of auto insurance. It is separate from comprehensive coverage, which focuses on protecting your own vehicle from specific types of damage.
If you are involved in an accident where your vehicle sustains damage, comprehensive coverage can provide financial protection. However, if your vehicle causes damage to someone else's property, you will need property damage liability insurance to cover the repairs.
In summary, while comprehensive auto insurance offers valuable protection for your own vehicle, it does not extend to damage caused to another person's property. For that, you will need to ensure you have adequate property damage liability insurance as part of your auto insurance policy.
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Comprehensive insurance is required on leased vehicles
Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that helps pay for repairs or replacements to your vehicle in the event of theft or non-collision damage. Comprehensive coverage covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal. For example, if your vehicle is damaged in a hailstorm, comprehensive coverage will help pay for the damages.
In addition to comprehensive coverage, leasing companies may also require higher liability coverage than what is mandated by the state. Typically, leasing companies require $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $300,000 per accident, as well as $50,000 in property damage liability insurance.
Leasing a car comes with specific insurance requirements that you should be aware of. Comprehensive insurance is an important component of leasing a vehicle, as it provides financial protection for both you and the leasing company in the event of theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
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Frequently asked questions
Comprehensive auto insurance is a type of insurance that covers certain damages to your vehicle that are not caused by a collision with another car. It is supplementary and optional but required on leased vehicles and vehicles that are currently being paid for by a loan.
Comprehensive auto insurance covers the cost of damages to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident or incident that's not caused by a collision. This includes natural disasters, contact with animals, theft, and fallen objects.
Collision coverage assists with repairs when you hit another vehicle, object, or road hazard. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers everything else, including theft, natural disasters, and vandalism.
Comprehensive auto insurance is not required by state law. However, if you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require you to have comprehensive coverage until the end of your lease or until your vehicle is paid off.
The cost of comprehensive coverage varies from driver to driver and policy to policy, taking into account factors such as age, gender, marital status, driving record, vehicle details, and location.
