Top Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage: What You Need to Know
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from incidents other than a car accident. States do not require comprehensive insurance, but full coverage policies include this coverage.
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Schimri Yoyo
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active life and health insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity. Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ...
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
UPDATED: Feb 24, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 24, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Comprehensive car insurance helps pay for damage to your vehicle from incidents other than a car accident
- Full coverage auto insurance policies include comprehensive coverage
- Comprehensive insurance costs around $134 annually or $11.17 per month
Shopping for auto insurance can be daunting. If you’re new to car insurance coverage options, you may be curious about comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive auto insurance helps pay for damage to your vehicle from incidents other than a car accident. (For more information, read our “How much auto insurance do you need?“).
Comprehensive coverage will protect your vehicle if hail, theft, vandalism, or falling tree branches damage it. Minimum coverage in your state will not include comprehensive insurance, but a full coverage policy will. Full coverage also includes collision insurance.
You will have to pay extra each month for comprehensive coverage. Still, most comprehensive plans cost just $134 a year or around $11.17 monthly. If you’re interested in purchasing comprehensive coverage, shopping online and comparing quotes from different companies is a good idea.
Comparing quotes will help you avoid paying too much for car insurance. However, if you currently have a liability-only policy, you may consider a full-coverage auto insurance policy for added protection on the road.
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive coverage is added protection for your vehicle when you aren’t driving it. In addition, comprehensive insurance is likely to cover the damage if a scenario that does not involve a traffic accident causes damage to your car.
Individuals with comprehensive auto insurance are protected when inclement weather, riots, vandalism, theft, or wild animals damage their vehicles. Without comprehensive auto insurance, you would have to pay for repairs out of pocket.
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What are the pros of a comprehensive auto insurance policy?
The most significant benefit to having a comprehensive auto insurance policy is saving money on repairs after certain unexpected events.
If anything other than a car accident damages your vehicle, your comprehensive auto insurance coverage should help you pay for repairs to your vehicle. Once you pay your deductible, comprehensive coverage will cover the rest.
If you own a new or expensive vehicle, comprehensive auto insurance can help you save thousands of dollars, as repairs to your car are likely expensive. Additionally, if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, you are probably required to carry comprehensive and collision insurance as part of your auto insurance policy.
Read More:
- What is the difference between comprehensive and collision auto insurance coverage?
- Does Auto Insurance cover hail damage?
- How Much Auto Insurance You Should Have
What are the cons of a comprehensive car insurance policy?
If you own an older vehicle, comprehensive car insurance may not be worth the investment. You need to assess how much you would pay in monthly or annual rates and your deductible before your insurance company would help pay for repairs to your car.
A minimum coverage auto insurance policy does not include comprehensive insurance. Because you’ll have to pay more for comprehensive coverage, it may not be worth it if your vehicle is older and wouldn’t cost as much to repair.
Your car insurance company will pay you for your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) if your car is damaged beyond repair. Individuals with older cars may not benefit from purchasing comprehensive coverage because of this.
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Comprehensive insurance covers several things that happen to your vehicle outside of a collision. Some of the most common comprehensive car insurance claims include:
- Hail, floods, and lightning
- Hurricanes and tornadoes
- Falling tree limbs and other objects
- Fire and explosions
- Hitting an animal
- Theft
- Vandalism and riots
- Earthquakes
Your comprehensive coverage may also help with windshield glass repair depending on your policy. Policies differ, so speak with a representative of your insurance company to learn whether your comprehensive car insurance would cover a cracked windshield.
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What does comprehensive insurance not include?
Comprehensive coverage can help with repairs to your vehicle. Still, comprehensive insurance doesn’t include many things, like:
- Damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people. Liability insurance covers damage you cause to other individuals and vehicles. You must carry liability coverage to drive legally in the U.S.
- Personal injuries. If you are injured in your vehicle, comprehensive insurance does not cover the cost of medical attention. Depending on who was at fault in the accident, either another person’s auto insurance or your health insurance would cover personal injuries.
- Damage as the result of a collision. Comprehensive insurance does not cover car accidents. If you are at fault in an accident, you will need collision coverage to pay for repairs to your vehicle.
Similar to comprehensive insurance, a liability-only auto insurance policy does not include collision insurance. However, you can purchase a full coverage auto insurance policy that includes both collision and comprehensive insurance for the best protection.
How does a comprehensive deductible work?
Comprehensive auto insurance policies often have a predetermined deductible, typically $500 to $1,500.
If your car was damaged by falling debris or hail, and you need to file a claim, you should consider how much repairs will cost. For example, if the damage to your vehicle will cost around $800 to repair, but your deductible is $1,000, you should pay out of pocket for repairs to save money.
Additionally, even if the cost of repairs is higher than your deductible, you should factor in a potential rate increase when determining whether you want to file a claim. For example, you should file a claim if the damage costs hundreds more than your deductible. Still, if the damage is just $80 to $150 more than your deductible, it might be better to pay for repairs yourself.
If the repair cost exceeds your vehicle’s actual cash value, your insurance company will declare your car a total loss. When this happens, you will receive a payment in the amount of your vehicle’s ACV to purchase a different car.
You can raise or lower your comprehensive insurance deductible. Doing so will impact your monthly or annual rates. A higher deductible means lower monthly rates, while a lower deductible means higher monthly rates.
You may want to choose a higher deductible to keep insurance costs down, but you should never choose a deductible you couldn’t pay in the event of an emergency.
Is comprehensive the same as full coverage?
Comprehensive is not the same as a full coverage policy, but a full coverage policy will include comprehensive insurance.
A typical full-coverage auto insurance policy includes liability coverage required in your state, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. In addition, many car owners purchase full coverage for protection behind the wheel and protection when they are not driving their cars.
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How much is comprehensive insurance?
The average cost for a comprehensive car insurance policy is around $134 annually or $11.17 per month. Your cost for coverage will depend on several factors, such as:
- Age
- Location
- Credit score
- Driving history
- Car make and model
You will never buy a comprehensive vehicle policy unless that car is a classic vehicle you do not drive. You will usually pair your comprehensive insurance with liability and collision coverage.
If you find that rates for comprehensive coverage are too expensive, shop online and compare quotes with other companies. You may find cheaper rates with other insurance companies in your area.
Do I need comprehensive insurance?
As your car’s value depreciates, comprehensive insurance is not as helpful. Comprehensive coverage will never pay more than your vehicle’s ACV minus your deductible. As your car’s value decreases, so does the amount you will receive with a comprehensive policy.
Most people who lease or finance a vehicle must carry a full coverage policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage. You likely need a full coverage policy if you have a loan or lease on your car. However, if you do not have a loan on your vehicle, you may decide comprehensive coverage is unnecessary.
To determine whether you need comprehensive coverage, consider your vehicle’s actual cash value and the deductible that accompanies your policy. For example, if your deductible is $1,500 and your vehicle’s ACV is $2,500, you would receive $1,000 worth of aid.
At some point, comprehensive auto insurance will not be beneficial. Considering your car’s worth and the deductible that goes with your comprehensive policy, you may determine it’s a good time to drop the extra coverage.
Still, if you have a new car, an expensive car, or a loan or lease on a vehicle, you should consider including comprehensive auto insurance in your policy.
Case Studies: Top Comprehensive Auto Insurance Coverage: What You Need to Know
Case Study 1: Protecting Against Natural Disasters
In a coastal town prone to hurricanes, a policyholder had comprehensive auto insurance coverage. When a powerful storm hit the area, it caused widespread flooding, resulting in extensive damage to the policyholder’s vehicle. Thanks to the comprehensive coverage, the insurance company covered the costs of repairs, sparing the policyholder from significant financial strain.
Case Study 2: Damage from Falling Objects
In a suburban area, a policyholder’s parked vehicle was struck by a falling tree branch during a severe storm. The impact caused significant damage to the car’s roof and windows. Since the policyholder had comprehensive coverage, the insurance company covered the cost of repairs, ensuring the policyholder could restore their vehicle to its pre-incident condition.
Case Study 3: Fire Damage Coverage
A policyholder parked their vehicle near a construction site. Due to a negligent accident, a fire broke out and engulfed several parked cars, including the policyholder’s vehicle. With comprehensive auto insurance coverage, the insurance company covered the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicle, providing the policyholder with much-needed financial relief.
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Comprehensive Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Comprehensive car insurance helps pay for damage from hail, wild animals, theft, and vandalism. If you have a relatively new or expensive car or a loan or lease on your vehicle, you should consider purchasing comprehensive insurance.
You may not need comprehensive insurance if your vehicle is older and you’ve paid it off. Consider the deductible amount and compare it to your car’s actual cash value to determine whether comprehensive insurance would be a wise investment.
A full coverage policy includes comprehensive and collision insurance. As you shop for full coverage, find and compare quotes from several insurance companies to determine which option will work best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive coverage is added protection for your vehicle when you aren’t driving it. It covers damage to your car from scenarios other than a car accident, such as inclement weather, riots, vandalism, theft, or damage caused by wild animals. It is not included in minimum coverage required by states but is part of full coverage policies.
What are the pros of a comprehensive auto insurance policy?
- Comprehensive coverage helps save money on repairs after unexpected events.
- It covers damage to your vehicle from various incidents, including weather, theft, and vandalism.
- It provides added protection for new or expensive vehicles.
- It is often required if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
What are the cons of a comprehensive car insurance policy?
- It may not be worth the investment for older vehicles with lower repair costs.
- Minimum coverage policies do not include comprehensive insurance.
- If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair, your insurance company will pay you the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV).
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from incidents other than a collision. This includes damage from weather events like hail or flooding, vandalism, theft, falling objects, fire, riots, and damage caused by animals. Some policies may also cover windshield glass repair.
What does comprehensive insurance not include?
Comprehensive coverage does not include collision damage, medical expenses, personal liability, rental car expenses, or coverage for personal belongings inside the vehicle. Collision coverage is a separate type of insurance that covers damage from collisions with other vehicles or objects.
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Schimri Yoyo
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active life and health insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity. Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ...
Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.