If you’re shopping for auto insurance, you know that you typically must hold a minimum amount of coverage to protect you in the event of an accident. While liability and personal property coverages will help safeguard you financially, there are other policy types that can increase the level of protection you have on the road.
Drivers should consider adding comprehensive coverage to their auto insurance policy. This type of insurance is also known as “other than collision” coverage and helps cover costs related to accidents that don’t involve other vehicles. In this article, we’ll walk through the details of comprehensive coverage so you can decide if it may benefit you.
Key Takeaways about Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is useful in cases of damage due to factors outside of your control: Unexpected events, like acts of theft, vandalism or severe weather, can cause damage to your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage can help cover some of the costs of this type of damage.
Comprehensive coverage is subject to deductibles: You’ll typically have to reach a deductible before your comprehensive coverage kicks in.
SelectQuote can help you compare rates, deductibles and more for comprehensive coverage: When shopping for comprehensive coverage, it can be hard to know what plan is right for you. SelectQuote can handle the shopping process on your behalf, saving you time and finding ways to save money along the way.
What is “other than collision” coverage?
Comprehensive coverage—also known as other than collision coverage—is a type of insurance policy that covers damage to your car not caused by a crash or collision with another vehicle. This can include, but isn’t limited to, damage from:
Hitting an animal, such as a deer, with your vehicle
Extreme weather, like hail
Fire
Fallen trees
Vehicle theft or vandalism
Broken or cracked windshields
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car outside of a crash or a collision with another vehicle. You can make an insurance claim against your comprehensive coverage in several cases, including those mentioned above. For example, if a fire starts in your garage and your car is damaged, it could be covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy.
What does comprehensive insurance NOT cover?
Comprehensive coverage can cover a wide variety of unexpected damage to your vehicle. However, there are a few situations where it does not apply. Knowing what this policy type does and doesn’t cover will make things easier if you do need to file a claim. Comprehensive coverage typically won’t pay for:
Comprehensive vs. collision insurance coverage: What’s the difference?
The main difference between comprehensive car insurance and collision insurance coverage is that comprehensive coverage provides for damage that happens to your car caused by another object, while collision insurance coverage will help pay for damage if your vehicle hits a vehicle, pole or other stationary object. If you are leasing your vehicle or paying for it with an auto loan, your lender or dealership may require you to have both comprehensive and collision coverage.
Comprehensive Insurance Deductibles
Comprehensive insurance—like most other forms of insurance—is subject to deductibles, or the amount of the repair costs you’re required to pay before the policy kicks in. For example, consider that a hailstorm or fallen tree results in $4,500 in damage to your car. If your deductible is $1,000, that means your insurance company will only pay $3,500. You’ll be required to pay out of pocket before the company covers the rest.
A lower comprehensive deductible will likely result in higher premiums as the amount of insurance increases. Similarly, higher deductibles can decrease your overall premium costs. If your vehicle is brand new, costly repairs or replacement can be covered by your policy. By comparison, an older car may not be worth as much as the deductible or even the monthly increase in premiums that a comprehensive insurance policy brings.
If increased insurance premiums due to a low deductible are a concern, you can always shop around for coverage that includes a higher deductible. You may also want to ask about any bundling opportunities or discounts for safe driving or loyalty.
Why would I need comprehensive coverage for my car?
You may be wondering if comprehensive coverage is worth it. There are hypothetical scenarios you can use to decide if you want to add this coverage type to your policy. For example, consider if your car was damaged or even totaled due to a natural disaster. Could you afford the cost of completely replacing it? If not, comprehensive coverage may be valuable to you.
Another factor to consider when purchasing comprehensive coverage insurance is the frequency of theft and vandalism in your area. If you live in an area where vehicles are often stolen or vandalized, you may want to add comprehensive coverage. This will help you repair your vehicle if it’s damaged in an act of vandalism, like spray painting or broken headlights or tail lights. It can also help cover the cost of a replacement vehicle if your car is stolen.
SelectQuote Can Make Sure You’re Covered with the Right Auto Insurance
Whether you’re buying insurance for a brand new car or have questions about your existing vehicle’s coverage, SelectQuote can help. We can evaluate your current policy based on your needs and decide if comprehensive coverage is right for you. In just minutes, we’ll search a variety of trusted insurance carriers, doing the shopping on your behalf to find the right plan at an affordable price.
