Can you have just collision coverage without comprehensive?
Asked by: Thad Jerde | Last update: January 27, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (41 votes)
At what point does collision insurance stop being beneficial?
If your vehicle is paid off, there are only a few instances that justify dropping collision coverage: Your vehicle's value is less than a few thousand dollars: If your car holds minimal value, collision coverage may not be worth carrying. This is especially true when a large car insurance deductible is involved.
What if I don't have comprehensive insurance?
Answer: Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle for things that are "other than collision," such as the theft of your vehicle. Unfortunately, without comprehensive coverage, there is nothing your car insurance company can do for you.
Do I really need comprehensive?
Comprehensive covers you if your car is stolen, vandalized, goes on fire, hits an animal- anything except a collision with another car. So, unless you can pay for those damages out of pocket I would keep it on your car forever or until the value of your car is so low that you wouldn't want to fix or replace it.
Why would you not want to have collision coverage?
The reason people say collision isnt worth it on older cars is simple: The premium you pay may end up costing more than the value of the vehicle.
Should you drop collision coverage on car insurance?
When to remove comprehensive coverage?
If your vehicle's cash value is relatively low and you have a higher deductible, for example, it may not be worthwhile to carry comprehensive coverage. On the other hand, it may be worthwhile if your vehicle has a higher cash value, or you cannot afford the cost to repair or replace your vehicle out of pocket.
Do I need both collision and comprehensive?
You probably don't need comprehensive and collision insurance if your car is older and not worth a lot. That's because the maximum payout you'll get in a comprehensive or collision claim will be for the current market value of your car, minus the deductible.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Remember that filing small claims may affect how much you have to pay for insurance later. Switching from a $500 deductible to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on the cost of your insurance premium payments.
Do I need comprehensive insurance if my car is paid off?
Lienholders generally require you to have comprehensive car insurance coverage and collision car insurance coverage while you're paying off a loan. After the loan is paid back, and the lienholder is removed, you're no longer required to carry these coverages.
Is hitting a mailbox comprehensive or collision?
Collision coverage also includes single car accidents like hitting a guardrail or hitting a curb. For example, if you hit a mailbox or fence post that leaves scratches down the side of your vehicle, collision coverage could cover the cost of repairs.
What happens if you don't have full coverage and your car gets totaled?
If you don't have insurance or don't have enough coverage, you're on the hook for the balance left on your vehicle even though the car is no longer drivable.
How much will a comprehensive claim raise my insurance?
By State. You can expect the most elevated car insurance rates post-accident in California, where the average increase is more than 74 percent. Increases are less than 25 percent in Rhode Island, in contrast.
What does collision coverage cover?
Collision coverage
Collision pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with an object (e.g., a telephone pole, a guard rail, a mailbox), or as a result of flipping over. The average cost is about $290 per year. Collision coverage reimburses you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible.
What is a good collision deductible?
$500 is the most common car insurance deductible. Not every type of car insurance coverage uses a deductible. A higher car deductible can lower your insurance premium. You pick your deductible when buying insurance.
At what point will car insurance drop you?
Insurers may not drop a customer after their first one or two incidents. The first step is often to increase your car insurance rate. From there, if a customer has another accident or files more claims, the insurer may send a notice that they won't be renewing the policy at the end of its term.
How many years should you keep collision on a car?
One general rule of thumb is to skip collision coverage for vehicles that are more than ten years old. Your collision premiums and your deductible are more than 10 percent of your vehicle's blue book value.
When should you drop comprehensive coverage on your car?
The ten rule is this: Once the value of your vehicle is less than ten times what its insurance premiums are, it's more economical to drop comprehensive and collision coverage than to pay for them.
Is it okay to not have comprehensive insurance?
If you don't have a loan or lease on your car, comprehensive insurance likely isn't required. And if the vehicle isn't worth much, it may not make financial sense to keep the coverage. Compare the value of your car to your comprehensive deductible plus the amount you pay for the coverage.
How much should I pay for collision insurance?
Collision insurance costs $382 per year, on average, and that is added on top of the cost of the other types of insurance that your state requires. The three major factors affecting the price of collision insurance are your driving history, the value of your vehicle, and the size of your deductible.
Will raising my deductible lower my car insurance?
When you're choosing a deductible, keep in mind that you may be more or less comfortable with higher out-of-pocket costs vs monthly costs. A high deductible will lower your overall insurance rate, however it will increase your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
Do I have to pay a deductible for hail damage to my roof?
Hail is typically a covered peril on standard homeowners policies, but your policy may have a separate deductible for damage caused by hail — especially if you live in an area prone to hailstorms.
Is a credit score check required to get auto insurance?
Most insurers use credit checks to create a credit-based insurance score to help set your rate. Some insurers provide auto insurance with no credit check, which might seem appealing if you have a poor credit history.
Is hitting a tire comprehensive or collision?
This accident would actually be paid out under your collision coverage because you collided with the tire.
Does a comprehensive claim raise rates?
Will comprehensive claims increase my rate? Yes, a comprehensive claim might increase your rate, depending on your insurer and state. Comprehensive claims include non-collision events like car theft, car vandalism, car fire, chipped/cracked windshield, hitting an animal, and acts of nature.
Are you required to have comprehensive insurance?
Unlike liability coverage, which is required in most states, comprehensive insurance isn't legally required in any. But if you're leasing or financing a vehicle, you may be required by your lender to add it to your policy along with collision and gap insurance.