Auto Insurance: Comprehensive Coverage Explained In Simple Terms

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your car from causes other than a collision. This includes damage from natural disasters, theft, vandalism, and accidents with animals. It also covers glass and windshield damage, fire, and other acts of nature. It is an optional coverage that can be added to any type of vehicle insurance, and it is often required by lenders if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. The cost of comprehensive insurance varies depending on factors such as the value of the vehicle, location, and the driver's insurance history.

Animal collisions

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by animals, including collisions with large wildlife like deer, moose, and coyotes, as well as smaller animals like dogs and raccoons. This type of insurance is designed to cover incidents that are not collisions, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and weather events. In the context of animal-related incidents, comprehensive insurance covers damage to both the exterior and interior of your vehicle, including any internal damage caused by animals breaking into your car or chewing through wiring.

It's important to note that comprehensive insurance does not cover damage to your personal property inside the car. Such incidents are typically covered by homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policies. Additionally, comprehensive insurance does not cover veterinary bills for injured domestic animals; these costs are usually covered by the owner's homeowners insurance.

If you live in an area with a high risk of animal collisions, it's advisable to consider upgrading your auto insurance policy to include comprehensive coverage. This can protect you from expensive repair bills and provide assistance in dealing with the aftermath of an animal collision.

To summarise, comprehensive auto insurance provides valuable protection against the financial burden of animal collisions, covering repairs and medical costs while also offering assistance with towing and veterinary services.

Natural disasters

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle from natural disasters, including:

• Hurricanes
• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Wildfires
• Tornadoes
• Hail
• Lightning strikes
• Volcanic eruptions
• Landslides

Comprehensive coverage is one of the three pillars of car insurance, alongside liability and collision. While liability and collision coverage protect you and others while driving, comprehensive coverage protects your car from events outside your control, such as natural disasters.

It's important to note that comprehensive coverage is optional and not mandatory in most states. However, if you lease or finance your vehicle, you may be required to have it to protect the investment of the lender or dealership.

In the event of a natural disaster, comprehensive coverage will pay you up to your policy's maximum or your vehicle's value to repair or replace it, minus your deductible.

It's crucial to have comprehensive coverage in place before a natural disaster occurs, as insurers may place temporary restrictions on policy changes or new purchases during a storm. Additionally, it's important to review your policy for any exclusions, as some policies may not cover specific types of natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes.

Theft

Comprehensive auto insurance covers theft, and it is the only way that car insurance reimburses you for theft. Comprehensive coverage is optional, and no state requires this insurance, so you need to add it if you have only minimum coverage. It covers the cost of your stolen vehicle if it is not recovered, paying out the current value, or actual cash value (ACV), minus your deductible.

Comprehensive insurance also covers the cost of replacing car parts that are stolen, such as a catalytic converter, but not custom parts or equipment, like an aftermarket sound system. It also pays to repair any damage caused by theft, car break-in, or attempted break-in, including broken windows or other damage resulting from a theft. If your stolen car is recovered and needs to be repaired, comprehensive insurance covers this, too, minus your deductible.

Comprehensive insurance does not cover the theft of personal items from your car, such as a laptop or cell phone. You will need renters or homeowners insurance coverage to pay for any belongings stolen from your car, minus your deductible.

Vandalism

Comprehensive coverage will pay for repairs to your car, but it won't cover any personal items stolen or damaged inside the car. For example, if a laptop is stolen from your vehicle, this wouldn't be covered by comprehensive auto insurance, but it may be covered by your home or renters insurance.

Comprehensive coverage also includes vandalism caused by rioting, such as during the 2022 thefts of Kias and Hyundais, which saw insurance companies increase the cost of comprehensive coverage for these vehicles.

If your car is vandalized, you should first make sure you are safe, then contact the police and file a report. Take photos of the damage and make notes about what happened. Contact your insurance company and ask about filing a claim. They may send an assessor to evaluate the damage. If you choose to file a claim, you will need to pay a deductible, which can range from $50 to $2,500, and then your insurance company will cover the remaining repair costs.

It's important to note that filing a claim for vandalism could result in an increase in your insurance rates. If the cost of repairs is less than your deductible, it may be cheaper to pay out of pocket.

Glass and windshield damage

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events outside of your control. This includes glass and windshield damage, which can occur due to several reasons.

Causes of Windshield Damage

Windshields can be damaged by falling debris, such as a tree branch, or by rocks and other objects kicked up by passing cars. In some cases, windshields may also be damaged by hail or other severe weather conditions. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, comprehensive coverage can provide valuable protection against these unexpected events.

Repair or Replacement

Whether your windshield needs to be repaired or completely replaced depends on the extent of the damage. Small chips or cracks can often be repaired without removing the entire windshield, but larger cracks may require a full replacement. It's important to act quickly if your windshield is damaged, as the damage can spread over time, and even a small crack can affect the strength and integrity of the glass.

Cost Considerations

The cost of repairing or replacing a windshield can vary depending on several factors, including the make and model of your car and the type of glass used. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance may cover the cost of repairs or replacement, minus your deductible. In some states, insurance companies offer a $0 deductible option for glass-only replacement claims, and some states waive deductibles for broken windshields if the driver has comprehensive coverage.

Filing a Claim

To file a claim for windshield damage, you should first assess the extent of the damage and determine whether a repair or replacement is needed. You can then file a claim with your insurance company and provide them with photos or measurements of the damage. It's important to file a claim as soon as possible after the damage occurs and before any repairs are made.

Impact on Insurance Premiums

Filing a claim for windshield damage under your comprehensive coverage typically does not impact your insurance premiums. However, if your insurance company offers a claims-free discount, you may lose out on this discount by filing a claim. It's worth considering the cost of repairs or replacement compared to your deductible and the potential impact on your insurance rates before deciding whether to file a claim.

Frequently asked questions