What is Comprehensive Insurance?
Comprehensive insurance, commonly known as “other than collision” coverage, is a type of car insurance that can assist cover the costs of damage to your vehicle that is not caused by a collision. It can, for example, assist in the payment of damages caused by hail, theft, fire, or a collision with an animal.
It’s vital to remember that this coverage is completely optional. It must be purchased in addition to any other coverages you may have, such as liability insurance. If you’re financing or leasing an automobile, though, your lender will almost certainly require it.
Most drivers benefit from this coverage, and you can find out more by requesting a quotation from The Hartford1’s AARP® Auto Insurance Program.
What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?
What is covered under comprehensive insurance? Your comprehensive insurance covers the following types of losses:
- Hurricanes and tornadoes are examples of natural disasters.
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Fire
- Objects that fall
Civil unrest, such as a riot
When you hit an animal, such as a deer, you are committing an act of violence.
shattered glass
The following items are not covered by your comprehensive automobile insurance policy:
- Collision damage to your vehicle
- Health-care costs
- Fees for legal representation
- If you or your passengers miss work as a result of an accident, you will lose money.
- Collision damage to another person’s vehicle
- Your car’s contents have been stolen.
Deductibles and Limits for Comprehensive Car Insurance
Your deductible is the portion of your claim that you pay before your auto insurance kicks in. Once you’ve paid it, your auto insurance will cover the rest of your expenses, up to your pre-determined maximum.
Assume your car is damaged and will cost $6,000 to fix, with a $1,000 deductible. Only the $1,000 deductible will be paid out of pocket, and your insurance carrier will cover the remaining $5,000 on your comprehensive claim. When purchasing comprehensive insurance, you will be asked to select a deductible amount.
How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of comprehensive automobile insurance in the United States per year was around $170 in 2018, the most recent year for which data is available. 2 The cost of comprehensive automobile insurance can vary depending on the number of factors, including your:
- History of driving
- Model and year of the vehicle
- The amount that can be deducted
If you plan to purchase comprehensive auto insurance, choosing a higher deductible can help you save money on your monthly rate. However, if you have an accident, you will have to pay more out of pocket. In most circumstances, you’ll want to choose your deductible based on the real cash value of your vehicle (ACV).
If your automobile is damaged, our comprehensive insurance coverage will pay up to the ACV to repair or replace it. Your car is totaled if the cost of repairs exceeds the ACV. In this scenario, we’ll pay you the ACV to help you replace it. It’s critical to consider your vehicle’s ACV when determining how much auto insurance you’ll need.
To understand more, request a thorough auto insurance quote today.
Who Needs Comprehensive Coverage?
coverage in its entirety Comprehensive automobile insurance is available to drivers all around the country. If you reside in a location where theft, vandalism, or natural catastrophes are common, this supplementary coverage is extremely beneficial. This policy, for example, can help protect your automobile against the costs of non-collision damage if you reside on the Florida coast or in a wildfire-prone location.
You can ask yourself the following questions to determine if you require this coverage:
- Is comprehensive coverage required by your auto lender? They almost certainly do if you lease or finance, and you won’t be able to get your automobile without it.
- What is the value of your automobile? This coverage may not be worth it if it is less than the cost of your insurance premium.
- Are you a resident of a densely populated area? Cities and towns with a larger population may have more crime, which you may wish to avoid.
- What Is the Distinction Between Collision and Comprehensive Insurance?
- It’s easy to get collision and comprehensive insurance mixed up. This is due to the fact that both policies protect your vehicle. They do, however, cover diverse topics.
- Collision insurance protects you in the event of a car accident, whereas comprehensive coverage protects you against bodily damage. It aids in the payment of damages that are beyond your control. As a result, if your car is damaged by a natural disaster or an animal, this coverage may be able to assist you in paying for repairs.
What does it mean to have complete coverage?
When you get comprehensive coverage, it helps cover the cost of damages to your vehicle that isn’t caused by a collision. Theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal are all covered with comprehensive coverage.
For example, if you are driving and struck a deer, comprehensive coverage would cover the damage.
omprehensive coverage does not apply if you swerve to avoid hitting a deer and hitting a tree because this is considered a collision with an item.
You can add comprehensive coverage to your policy to help protect your vehicle. Unlike some other coverages, comprehensive does not have a limit. The maximum amount it will pay is determined by the vehicle’s real cash worth. Your chosen deductible will be your responsibility to pay.
What exactly does comprehensive insurance entail?
Comprehensive coverage protects your car from harm in a variety of situations. “Other than collision” coverage is another name for it. All this implies is that it may cover vehicle damages that collision coverage does not. This could include, but isn’t limited to, the following:
- Glass Breakage Theft
- Hail, floods, and fire
- Hitting a living creature
What kind of damages aren’t covered by comprehensive insurance?
Damages incurred by colliding with another vehicle or item are not covered by comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage covers these types of accidents. It will also not cover your vehicle’s usual wear and tear. Items that generally need to be replaced over time due to normal wear and tear include:
- Hoses and belts
- Brakes
- Tires
- Wipers for the windshield
Collision Coverage vs. Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive and collision coverage can be utilized to assist in the repair of damages to your car caused by an accident. Both policies include a deductible that you must pay before the insurance begins to pay for the harm. The scenarios in which the coverages apply differ.
When you have comprehensive coverage, it means that:
- Your automobile collides with a deer.
- Your vehicle has been stolen.
- A hailstorm has caused damage to your vehicle.
- Collision coverage kicks in when one of the following happens:
- You swerve to avoid a dog and collide with a fence.
- Another vehicle collides with yours.
- You’ve had a single car accident and the vehicle has been damaged.
Related: