Paul Sanchez
Comprehensive vehicle insurance, also known as 'other than collision' coverage, is optional insurance coverage that helps pay the costs of damage to your vehicle for non-collision-related claims. This includes damage caused by natural disasters, theft, fire, or hitting an animal. It's important to note that this coverage is optional, but lenders will often require it if your car is leased or financed. Comprehensive insurance provides protection against many non-collision damages, including vandalism, falling or flying objects, and civil disturbances like riots. It tends to cost less than collision coverage and can be used regardless of fault. However, it doesn't cover damages to another vehicle, medical expenses, legal expenses, or property stolen from your car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Insurance | Optional coverage that can be added to an existing insurance policy |
| Coverage | Protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events outside of your control |
| Coverage Examples | Theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature |
| Cost | The average cost of comprehensive insurance is about $134 per year, but can vary depending on factors such as the car's value, make, model, driving history, and deductible chosen |
| Required? | Not required by law, but often required by lenders if the vehicle is leased or financed |
What You'll Learn
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from non-collision events
Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by non-collision events. This includes damage from theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, and other acts of nature.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from unexpected incidents that are outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, fire, hail, and vandalism. Comprehensive insurance is often confused with collision insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects.
Comprehensive insurance is a great way to know that you're covered no matter what unexpected events come your way. It can be added to any type of vehicle insurance, such as auto, motorcycle, or boat insurance. It is not required by state law but is usually required by lenders if you are leasing or financing your vehicle.
Comprehensive insurance covers a wide range of non-collision incidents, including:
- Vandalism, fire, and explosions
- Windshield and glass damage
- Falling trees or limbs and other objects
- Rocks or objects kicked up by or falling off cars
- Storms, hail, wind, floods, lightning, and earthquakes
- Accidents with animals, such as hitting a deer
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It is optional but often required by lenders
Comprehensive vehicle insurance is optional coverage that you can add to your insurance policy. It is not required by law in any state. However, it is often required by lenders when you finance or lease a vehicle. This is because lenders want to protect their investment in the vehicle until the loan is paid in full. If you own your vehicle outright, the decision to get comprehensive coverage is up to you.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by events outside of your control that are not collisions. This includes theft, vandalism, fire, accidents with animals, weather, and other acts of nature. For example, if your car is damaged in a hailstorm, comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of repairs. On the other hand, if you swerve to avoid a deer and hit a tree, this would be considered a collision, and comprehensive insurance would not apply.
Comprehensive insurance is typically limited to the actual cash value of your vehicle at the time of the accident. When filing a claim, you will need to pay a deductible, or the amount you agree to pay out of pocket. Then, your insurance provider will cover the remaining expenses. For example, if your car sustained $5,000 in damage and you have a $500 deductible, you would pay $500, and your insurer would cover the remaining $4,500.
The cost of comprehensive insurance will depend on factors such as the value, make, and model of your car, as well as your driving history and the deductible you choose. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of comprehensive insurance is about $134 per year.
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It covers damage from natural disasters
Comprehensive vehicle insurance is an optional coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by events outside of your control, such as natural disasters. This includes damage from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance does not cover damage to your vehicle caused by a collision. Instead, it covers incidents like theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, and other acts of nature.
Comprehensive insurance can provide financial peace of mind and stability by covering the cost of repairs or replacement if your vehicle is damaged by a natural disaster. It is crucial to have this coverage in place before a natural disaster occurs, as insurers may place restrictions on policy changes during an impending major storm. The coverage will pay up to the vehicle's actual cash value (ACV) minus your chosen deductible. The higher the deductible, the cheaper your premium will be.
Comprehensive insurance covers a range of natural disasters. For example, it can pay for repairs or replacement if an earthquake damages your vehicle. Floods can cause havoc on vehicles, especially electrical components, and comprehensive insurance can cover minor to major flood damage. Wildfires can spread quickly, and if your car is in the path and cannot be moved, comprehensive coverage can help pay for a new car. Hurricanes bring strong winds, which can cause damage from falling objects and tree branches, and comprehensive insurance can cover these scenarios.
In addition to natural disasters, comprehensive insurance covers damage from broken windows and windshields, theft, fire, vandalism, and falling objects. It is important to distinguish comprehensive insurance from liability insurance, which is typically required by state law and covers expenses related to injuries and property damage caused by the insured in a crash. Liability insurance does not cover damage to the insured's vehicle. Comprehensive coverage is often required by lenders if you lease or finance your vehicle.
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It covers damage from vandalism and theft
Comprehensive vehicle insurance is an optional coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by incidents outside of your control, such as theft and vandalism. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance does not cover any personal items within the car if they are stolen during a vandalism incident. Coverage for personal belongings falls under renters or homeowners insurance.
Vandalism is the intentional damage or defacing of property, in this case, your vehicle. It can occur whether your car is on the road, parked in your driveway, or in a public parking lot. Common acts of auto vandalism include slashed or damaged tires, broken windows, headlights, or taillights, dents or scratches from someone keying your car, and putting substances like sugar into your gas tank.
If your vehicle is vandalised, you should take the following steps:
- Ensure your safety and that you are not in any danger.
- Inventory the damage and take notes. Check if anything inside the vehicle was stolen or damaged.
- File a police report by contacting the authorities and filing an official report of the incident as soon as possible.
- Contact your insurance company and provide as much information as possible, including the official police report.
- Meet with the claims adjuster to assess the damage and explain the next steps in the claim process.
- Have your car repaired at a shop of your choice. Keep in mind that using an insurer-recommended repair shop may expedite the process and help ensure that repair costs do not exceed the amount your insurer has agreed to pay.
It is important to note that filing a vandalism claim may result in a rate increase, depending on your insurer and state. Additionally, there is a deductible associated with comprehensive coverage, ranging from $0 to $2,500, which you will need to pay before your insurance company covers the remaining repair costs. Therefore, if the repair costs are lower than your deductible, filing a claim may not be beneficial.
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It does not cover damage from collisions
Comprehensive vehicle insurance is an optional coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by events outside of your control, but not from collision damage. This type of insurance is particularly useful if you cannot afford to repair or replace your vehicle out of pocket. It is often confused with collision coverage, but it is important to note that comprehensive insurance specifically excludes damage caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects.
Comprehensive insurance covers a range of scenarios that do not involve collisions. For example, it covers damage caused by vandalism, fire, explosions, and windshield and glass damage. It also includes protection against falling trees or branches, as well as objects kicked up by or falling off other vehicles.
In addition, comprehensive insurance provides coverage for natural disasters such as storms, hail, wind, floods, lightning, and earthquakes. It also covers accidents involving animals, such as hitting a deer. This type of insurance is often required by lenders if you are leasing or financing your vehicle.
While comprehensive insurance offers valuable protection, it is important to understand its limitations regarding collision damage. If your vehicle collides with another vehicle, a guard rail, a mailbox, or any other object, comprehensive insurance will not cover the resulting damage. In such cases, collision coverage would be applicable.
Comprehensive insurance is designed to provide peace of mind and financial protection against unforeseen events that are outside of your control. However, when it comes to collisions, this type of insurance does not offer coverage. It is crucial for vehicle owners to carefully review their insurance policies, understand the scope of their comprehensive coverage, and consider the benefits of adding collision coverage to their policy if it is not already included.
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Frequently asked questions
Comprehensive insurance coverage is an optional coverage that protects against damage to your vehicle caused by non-collision events outside of your control. This includes theft, vandalism, glass and windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather, or other acts of nature.
Comprehensive insurance coverage protects your vehicle against unexpected damage that's not caused by a vehicle collision. This includes vandalism, fire, explosions, windshield and glass damage, falling trees/limbs and other objects, storms, hail, wind, floods, lightning, earthquakes, and accidents with animals.
If your vehicle is damaged and covered under a comprehensive insurance policy, you can contact your insurer and file a claim. If the claim is approved, you’ll pay your deductible, then your insurer will cover the remaining expenses.
The value of comprehensive coverage depends on your circumstances. If you have a new vehicle and repairs/replacements would be expensive, comprehensive insurance is a good idea. If you drive an old vehicle and can cover unexpected repairs, then it may not be necessary.
