What does comprehensive mean in car insurance?

Asked by: Helen Bashirian  |  Last update: May 7, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (37 votes)

Comprehensive coverage helps repair or replace your car after something other than a collision with another car. Things like theft, fire, hail damage or hitting an animal. It's optional if you own your car outright—but since these situations can happen to any driver, it's recommended to help with costly repairs.

Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?

If you live in an area prone to such risks or have an expensive car, comprehensive coverage is a safer bet. If your car is older and its market value is low, skipping comprehensive or collision might save you money. On the other hand, for new or valuable cars, a mix of both could offer peace of mind.

What does comprehensive auto insurance cover?

Comprehensive coverage helps cover the cost of damages to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident that's not caused by a collision. Comprehensive coverage covers losses like theft, vandalism, hail, and hitting an animal.

Is it worth getting comprehensive?

Comprehensive coverage protects you from events outside your control like natural disasters or collisions with animals. These risks vary considerably from one area to another and might affect your decision about when to drop comprehensive coverage, especially on an older vehicle.

What does comprehensive insurance cover me for?

Comprehensive insurance provides the same level of cover as Third Party Fire & Theft but will also cover you in the event of an accident or damage caused by vandalism. With comprehensive cover you will receive compensation for the damage to your own vehicle even if you're at fault for the accident.

When should you remove comprehensive and collision coverage from your vehicle?

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What does fully comprehensive cover include?

Fully comprehensive car insurance includes as standard all the protection you'd get from third party, fire and theft insurance, in addition to covering you if an accident is your fault (with some exclusions). If you are looking for motorbike insurance, or van insurance, see our specialist guides.

What does not comprehensive insurance cover?

However, comprehensive insurance typically does not cover claims related to mechanical failures or wear and tear nor does it cover injuries to the driver or third party bodily injury or property damage claims. It also typically does not cover personal items inside the vehicle that are stolen or damaged.

When should I drop comprehensive coverage?

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.

Should I carry full coverage on a 10 year old car?

If your vehicle is older and is not worth as much, you may be able to reduce your insurance premium by avoiding comprehensive and collision coverage. However, if you have a loan on the vehicle or drive a leased vehicle, you may be required to have comprehensive coverage.

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.

What are the cons of comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive coverage usually won't cover damage from the following incidents:
  • Accidents with another vehicle.
  • Hitting another object.
  • Your car rolling over.
  • Wear and tear.
  • Mechanical problems.
  • Items stolen from your vehicle.
  • Liability or medical costs.
  • Damage from potholes.

What happens if your car gets stolen and you have full coverage?

Downey drivers whose cars are stolen in Califonia will have car theft insurance if they have comprehensive coverage. That should cover you up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If your car is damaged due to a break-in, you'll also be covered.

Will my car insurance go up if I make a comprehensive claim?

Comprehensive claims

Depending on your insurance company and your state, your rate may increase for damage-related incidents that were out of your control.

Is hitting a person collision or comprehensive?

It would be covered under collision coverage. Collision covers damages anytime the car collides with another object.

Is there a deductible on comprehensive?

Comprehensive coverage deductibles and limits. When you purchase comprehensive insurance coverage, you will select a set deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket toward a covered claim. Let's say you choose a $500 deductible, and your car is later damaged by hail in a covered claim.

Is comprehensive full coverage?

No. In fact, full coverage auto insurance is not an actual policy, but an industry term that describes an auto insurance package that typically includes a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, as well as any other coverages your state may require.

How do I avoid paying my comprehensive deductible?

You can avoid paying your car insurance deductible for vehicle repairs by not filing a claim at all or by getting the mechanic to waive the deductible, which is possible but highly unlikely. In some cases, your insurer may also waive your comprehensive deductible for glass damage specifically.

How long does a comprehensive claim stay on your insurance?

In California, accidents typically stay on your driving record for a period of three years from the date of the accident. During this time, the accident will be considered a public record and, therefore, accessible by insurance companies, potential employers, and law enforcement agencies.

How long should you keep full coverage on your car?

If you have financed your vehicle and your lender requires full coverage, you must keep it on your vehicle until you have paid off your loan (or until you buy out your lease, if you decide to). Once you own your vehicle outright, you have the option to remove both comprehensive and collision.

Why is my comprehensive deductible so high?

A higher deductible typically means a lower insurance rate, but you'll pay more out of pocket for repairs. If you know you can afford to pay for a larger portion of repair costs yourself and you never or rarely file claims, then a higher comprehensive deductible may work best for you.

Is hitting a deer comprehensive or collision?

Comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy typically covers deer accidents. Comprehensive coverage may help pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged when you hit a deer.

Do you need both comprehensive and collision insurance?

Some insurers require that you purchase collision and comprehensive insurance together, while other insurers may allow you to purchase these two types of coverage separately. Collision insurance pays for: Damage to your car in an accident you cause. Damage to your car if you hit an object such as a fence or pole.

Does comprehensive insurance cover engine failure?

It covers the damage caused to your car in an unforeseen event and the other person's car in case of an accident. Mechanical problems like engine failure are covered by car insurance only if it occurs because of an accident, flood, fire or vandalism.

Which of the following would not be covered under comprehensive coverage?

What's not covered by comprehensive auto coverage? Comprehensive car insurance doesn't cover damage to your car from a collision with another vehicle or object outside of live animals. Any medical expenses for you and any passengers will also not be covered as a result of the incident.