Comprehensive Vs Collision: What's The Difference In Auto Insurance?

Comprehensive and collision auto insurance are two types of physical damage coverage that protect your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision incidents like fires, theft, vandalism, or hail, whereas collision insurance covers damage caused by collisions with another vehicle or object. While both types of insurance are optional and not required by state law, they are typically required for a car loan or lease.

Collision insurance covers damage to your car if you hit an object or another vehicle

Collision insurance is an optional coverage that pays for damage to your vehicle if you collide with another car or object. It covers accidents involving other vehicles, regardless of fault, as well as single-car rollovers and accidents with stationary objects like road signs, poles, fences, or guardrails. It is important to note that collision insurance does not cover damage to other vehicles or injuries to you or your passengers.

• Your car slides on ice and hits a guardrail.
• You accidentally back into a pole in a parking lot.
• You swerve to avoid a squirrel and hit a tree.
• Another driver crashes into your car.

When purchasing collision insurance, you can usually choose your deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers the remaining repairs. Deductibles typically range from $100 to $2,000. Selecting a higher deductible will lower your insurance premium, but you'll have to pay more if you get into an accident.

While collision insurance is not required by state law, it is often required by lenders or leasing companies if you finance or lease your vehicle. This ensures that you don't walk away from your loan or lease if your car is damaged or totaled. Even if it's not required, collision insurance can provide valuable protection, especially if you live in an area with high traffic accident rates or can't afford to repair or replace your car after an accident.

Comprehensive insurance covers theft or damage from causes such as bad weather, fire or fallen trees

Comprehensive insurance covers theft or damage from causes other than collisions. This includes damage from natural causes, such as bad weather, fire, or fallen trees.

Comprehensive insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle caused by things other than a collision. This includes damage from animals, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. For example, if your car is damaged by a fallen tree during a storm, comprehensive insurance will cover the cost of repairs. If your car is stolen, comprehensive insurance will provide financial protection and reimburse you for the value of your car.

Comprehensive insurance is particularly useful if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes. It can also provide peace of mind if you live in an area with high crime rates, as it covers theft and vandalism. Additionally, if you live in an area with a lot of wildlife, comprehensive insurance will cover collisions with animals, such as deer.

Comprehensive insurance is typically sold alongside collision insurance, which covers damage to your car if you hit an object or another vehicle. While collision insurance covers accidents, comprehensive insurance covers a wider range of unforeseen events, such as break-ins, vandalism, and natural disasters.

The cost of comprehensive insurance varies depending on factors such as the value of your vehicle, your location, and your driving record. It is generally recommended to have both comprehensive and collision insurance to ensure you are covered in a variety of situations. However, it may not be necessary if your car is older and not worth a lot, as the maximum payout will be the value of your car minus the deductible.

Collision and comprehensive insurance are not required by state law

While collision and comprehensive insurance are two of the most important types of car insurance, collision insurance is not required by law in any state. Likewise, comprehensive insurance is not required by law in any state.

If you own your vehicle outright, you are not required to have collision insurance. However, if you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require you to have collision insurance until the contract ends. Even if you own your vehicle, collision insurance may still be worth buying if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will be covered in the event of a collision.

Similarly, if you own your vehicle outright, you are not required to have comprehensive insurance. However, if you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender may require you to have comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance can also be a good idea if you live in an area with a high incidence of car theft, vandalism, severe weather, or animal collisions.

Comprehensive and collision insurance are often sold as a package. They are designed to protect your vehicle, not others or their property. Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects, while comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by things like theft, vandalism, fires, floods, and fallen trees.

You may be required to have collision and comprehensive insurance if you lease or finance your vehicle

When leasing or financing a vehicle, you are technically not its owner until you make the final payment. Therefore, leasing or financing companies require full coverage to protect their investment in the vehicle. This means that you will likely be required to carry both collision and comprehensive insurance, which will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in the event of an accident or damage.

Full coverage insurance comprises liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance covers damage to other drivers and their vehicles when you are at fault for an accident. It does not pay for repairs to your own vehicle. Collision insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by something other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.

While neither collision nor comprehensive insurance is legally required, they are often mandated by lenders or leasing companies. This is to ensure that their investment in the vehicle is protected. Without full coverage, lenders would have to pursue you for the money to repair or replace your vehicle, which would be more expensive than collecting from an insurance company.

The cost of collision and comprehensive insurance depends on factors such as the value of your vehicle, the deductible you select, and your driving record. It is important to note that the deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers the remaining cost of repairs or replacement.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from collisions with animals

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car not caused by a collision with another vehicle. This includes damage from collisions with animals, such as deer.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a range of causes, including theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters. It is typically optional, but lenders or leasing companies usually require it if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car caused by animals, such as:

• Deer
• Squirrels
• Raccoons
• Rodents
• Cows
• Moose
• Coyotes

If you collide with an animal while driving, comprehensive insurance can cover the cost of repairs or replacement of your vehicle. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance only covers damage to your car, not medical bills, which would be covered by your medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

In addition to animal collisions, comprehensive insurance can also provide peace of mind for drivers concerned about:

• Theft or vandalism
• Fire or explosions
• Weather-related damage, such as wind, hail, or floods
• Falling or flying objects, such as trees or branches

Frequently asked questions