What is a comprehensive insurance?

Asked by: Dr. Nelson Runte  |  Last update: September 15, 2022
Score: 5/5 (70 votes)

Comprehensive insurance is a coverage that helps pay to replace or repair your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged in an incident that's not a collision. Comprehensive, sometimes called "other than collision" coverage, typically covers damage from fire, vandalism or falling objects (like a tree or hail).

What is the meaning of comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance is insurance coverage that pays for the repair or replacement. Comprehensive car insurance typically covers third-party liabilities, damage from an accident, fire, natural calamity, theft, etc.

What is included in comprehensive car insurance?

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.

What is the difference between comprehensive coverage and full coverage?

The difference between full coverage and comprehensive insurance is that full coverage is a car insurance policy that includes both comprehensive and collision insurance along with the state's minimum requirements. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to a car from things other than accidents, like theft or fire.

How long should you keep full coverage on a car?

The standard rule of thumb used to be that car owners should drop collision and comprehensive insurance when the car was five or six years old, or when the mileage reached the 100,000 mark. (Plenty of websites weigh in on this.)

Car Insurance explained - Comprehensive Insurance

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Should you have full coverage on a paid off car?

Drivers that paid off their loans are no longer required to carry full coverage. If their budgets had been strained due to paying for full coverage, then they should decrease their coverage and premiums. Drivers can support the costs of a replacement.

Can I drive any car with comprehensive cover?

The car you want to drive must be covered by an existing insurance policy and you must have permission to drive it. Driving other cars cover is usually only available on a comprehensive car insurance policy, so if you have third party (or third party, fire & theft) cover, you won't be covered to drive any other cars.

What is difference between collision and comprehensive?

Generally, collision coverage comes into play because a driver gets into a car accident. Comprehensive is a separate coverage from collision. It helps cover different types of losses that are usually not the result of driving the vehicle, such as theft, hail or fallen trees.

Does comprehensive insurance cover other cars?

As we've seen, driving other cars (DOC) insurance isn't usually included as part of a fully comprehensive policy. Unless your policy states otherwise, you'll only be able to drive your partner's car if they've added you as a named driver or have a family or any driver car insurance policy.

Does comprehensive cover own damage?

Comprehensive car insurance covers you for third-party and your own damages.

Is comprehensive insurance necessary?

Comprehensive Car Insurance offers extensive coverage that covers Third-party Liabilities and Own Damage. Buying this type of policy is not mandatory by law, however, due to its enhanced coverage, it is the preferred choice for many car owners.

What are the benefits of comprehensive car insurance?

The primary benefit of getting a comprehensive car insurance is, it protects your car from any unfortunate damages and losses due to accidents, collisions, fires, etc. This way, you don't only save on unforeseen expenses but, also ensure your car will stay in good shape, even in the case of a mishap.

What are the 3 types of car insurance?

3 Types of Auto Coverage Explained
  • Liability coverage. Protects you if you cause damage to others and/or their stuff. ...
  • Collision coverage. Covers your car if you hit another car, person or non-moving object (like those darn ornamental rocks cousin Todd has at the end of his driveway). # ...
  • Comprehensive coverage.

Can I drive another car on my insurance if the other car is not insured?

It's important to understand that if such a clause isn't included, you aren't covered to drive other cars – even if your insurance policy is fully comprehensive. If you do drive another car without being insured, you're breaking the law – and you risk a hefty fine, penalty points and possible disqualification.

What happens if someone wrecks your car and they aren't on your insurance?

That means any damages to the car you've borrowed won't be covered by your insurance and you may need to pay out of your own pocket. The car owner's insurance is not likely to cover the damages unless you're a named driver.

What deductible should I choose for comprehensive?

Typically, insurance agents recommend that your comprehensive deductible be between $100 and $500. Comprehensive claims tend to be filed for less damage than collisions, so having a lower deductible is often logical.

Does full coverage cover at fault accidents?

So what does full coverage car insurance cover? In most cases, it includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Collision and comprehensive will protect you and your vehicle if you get into an accident. If you're found at fault for an accident.

What is the best collision deductible?

A $1,000 deductible is usually the sweet spot for savings. Bumping a $500 deductible up to $1,000 will give you a better discount than increasing a $1,000 deductible further to $2,000. Choosing a $250 deductible over a $100 one will also save you a significant chunk of money.

Can you drive an uninsured car on your own insurance?

No, the vehicle you are driving must have a minimum of third party cover on. If it does not, you will not be insured.

What coverage do you need on a paid off car?

If you're still paying off your auto loan or lease, your lender will probably require you to have collision insurance because it helps protect their investment if the car gets totaled.

What happens when you pay off your car loan early?

Prepayment penalties

The lender makes money from the interest you pay on your loan each month. Repaying a loan early usually means you won't pay any more interest, but there could be an early prepayment fee. The cost of those fees may be more than the interest you'll pay over the rest of the loan.

Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?

If you're financing a car that's been totaled, your insurance company will likely make the claim check payable to both you and your lender, which means you'll have to come to an agreement with your lender on how to release that money, the Insurance Information Institute (III) says.

Which type of insurance is best for car?

Which is a better Car Insurance? Taking a comprehensive car insurance cover is always advisable as it provides complete protection of not only someone else's car like a Third-Party car insurance, but also the Own damages to your car, as well as any injury to the owner driver.

What is the most common car insurance coverage?

6 Common Types of Car Insurance Coverage
  • Liability Coverage. Except in New Hampshire and Virginia, all states require licensed drivers to maintain liability coverage. ...
  • Collision Coverage. ...
  • Personal Injury Protection Coverage. ...
  • Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Protection. ...
  • Comprehensive Coverage. ...
  • Medical Payments.

What is the most common type of car insurance?

Bodily injury liability coverage (BI) is the most common type of auto insurance because it's required in almost every state.