What's the difference between comprehensive and full coverage?
Asked by: Mr. Toby Bogisich Sr. | Last update: September 29, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (44 votes)
Which is better, full coverage or comprehensive?
The difference between full coverage and comprehensive insurance is that a full coverage policy includes both comprehensive insurance and collision insurance, along with any car insurance coverage your state requires. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to a car from things other than accidents, like theft or fire.
Is comprehensive the same as full?
Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision about your auto insurance needs. Key Points: – Full Coverage: Includes liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. – Comprehensive Insurance: Covers non-collision-related incidents like theft, fire, and natural disasters.
Does full coverage mean having both comprehensive and collision insurance?
Is full coverage both comprehensive and collision? Yes, "full coverage" car insurance typically refers to carrying both comprehensive and collision in addition to any state-required auto coverages.
Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1000?
Generally speaking, yes, a higher deductible is the better choice long term. Especially if you have a good driving history.
What is the Difference between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
What is a good deductible for comprehensive?
Common deductible amounts also include $250, $1000, and $2000, according to WalletHub. You can also select separate comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles. For example, you could have a $1000 collision and a $500 comprehensive policy deductible or vice versa.
What happens if my repairs cost less than the deductible?
What if my car repair costs less than my deductible? There may be times when your car insurance deductible is more than the cost of the damage to your vehicle. Unfortunately, in these cases, you'll need to pay for all repairs out-of-pocket. This is because insurance only pays for damages that are above your deductible.
When should you stop paying full coverage on your car?
- You drive a high-mileage car. ...
- You struggle to fit the cost of auto insurance in your budget. ...
- Your car is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy. ...
- You have relatively high risk tolerance. ...
- You rarely drive.
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.
Is comprehensive collision worth it?
Paying for comprehensive and collision — the coverages that many people mean when they say "full coverage" — may not be worth it if your car's value is minimal and your policy includes a high deductible. Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it.
When to 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.
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.
What is included in a comprehensive?
Comprehensive, sometimes called "other than collision" coverage, typically covers damage from fire, vandalism or falling objects (like a tree or hail). If you're financing or leasing your car, your lender likely requires comprehensive coverage.
At what point does collision insurance stop being beneficial?
You should drop your collision insurance when your annual premium equals 10% of your car's value. If your collision insurance costs $100 total per year, for example, drop the coverage when your car is worth $1,000 since, at that point, your insurance payments are too close to your car's value to be worthwhile.
What does full coverage not cover?
What's not covered with "full coverage"? Your medical expenses and your passengers' medical expenses are not covered by liability, collision, or comprehensive coverages. Medical bills can be covered by purchasing medical payments coverage or personal injury protection coverage.
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.
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.
Will my insurance go up with a 50/50 claim?
In some car crashes, both drivers may share equal responsibility, resulting in 50 50 fault. In these cases, each driver's insurance typically covers their own damages. This could potentially lead to premium increases for both parties.
Should you have full coverage on a 12 year old car?
Full coverage car insurance is likely to be a poor investment for vehicles that are more than 10 years old. After this period, the annual cost of insurance represents 46% of the value of older-model vehicles. After an at-fault crash, rates are very likely to exceed the value of vehicles that are 15 or more years old.
At what age should your car insurance go down?
Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.
What are the disadvantages of having full coverage car insurance?
The only real disadvantage of “full coverage” car insurance is the possibility that you may be paying for more car insurance than you need, given your vehicle's value and your financial situation.
What not to say when filing a claim?
- “I'm sorry.”
- “It was all/partly my fault.”
- “I did not see the other person/driver.”
What is a good deductible for car insurance?
Most drivers choose a $500 auto insurance deductible, but policies with higher deductibles cost less. Choosing a plan with a higher deductible to get a lower insurance rate means higher out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim.
Can the color of your car affect your insurance premium?
Does car color affect insurance rates? The color of your car doesn't affect your insurance rate. Instead, your insurance company uses other information, like your car's age, location, usage, and your driving record, to help determine insurance rates.