When would you consider not paying for collision coverage?

Asked by: Evan Jacobson  |  Last update: February 27, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (74 votes)

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.

At what point is collision insurance not worth it?

If your car is not worth a lot, you might want to drop the collision insurance. Always consider the cost of parts and repair before making a final decision. If you are a safe driver and are not likely to cause an accident, you might be better off to claim on the other driver's insurance if they were at fault.

When should you stop buying collision insurance?

For collision, 10 years is a decent rule of thumb. In terms of hard numbers, when the amount you will receive (value of the car minus the deductible) is less than your collision premium, then there is absolutely no point in continuing to pay for collision coverage.

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.

What type of accident will collision insurance not cover?

Collision insurance does not cover: Damage to your vehicle not related to driving (examples: hail or theft) Damage to another person's vehicle. Medical bills (yours or another person's)

Should you drop collision coverage on car insurance?

26 related questions found

Is it better to have collision or comprehensive?

If your car is damaged in a road collision with another car or object and you're at fault, only your collision coverage can help pay to repair it. Only comprehensive coverage covers losses caused by contact with animals, civil disturbances, fires, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.

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.

When to drop full coverage on a car?

You should think about dropping your full coverage insurance policy if:
  1. You drive a high-mileage car. ...
  2. You struggle to fit the cost of auto insurance in your budget. ...
  3. Your car is worth less than the cost of your full-coverage policy. ...
  4. You have relatively high risk tolerance. ...
  5. You rarely drive.

Do I need uninsured coverage if I have collision coverage?

California law does not require you to carry uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage—so, legally, you don't need either one. However, UM/UIM is an important and commonsense coverage to carry.

Does collision insurance cover everything?

Be aware that collision insurance only reimburses you for damage to your car – not for damage to other vehicles or objects, or for bodily injuries sustained in the accident.

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 type of insurance should you have on a paid-off car?

So, you'll want to maintain physical protection (your collision and comprehensive coverage) to protect it — these coverages are recommended as long your vehicle retains a worth of at least $4,000.

When should you not go through car insurance?

If the repair cost is lower than your insurance policy's deductible, it's probably not worth filing a claim. For instance, say your deductible is $1,000, but the cost of damage is $800. In that case, filing a claim wouldn't make much sense as your out-of-pocket cost is higher than the amount your insurer will cover.

What is a good amount of collision coverage?

The most commonly required liability limits are $25,000/$50,000/$25,000, which mean: $25,000 in bodily injury per person. $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident. $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Is collision avoidance worth it?

Pros of Crash-Avoidance Systems

For example, forward collision warnings combined with automatic braking can reduce the rates of accidents with injuries by 56%. Warnings, interventions, and other safety systems are largely working as designed and driving a reduction in accidents and injuries.

What happens without collision coverage?

If you own your vehicle outright and choose not to carry collision coverage, you will have to pay to repair or replace your vehicle out of pocket if you're involved in a single-vehicle accident or found at-fault in an accident.

Can you decline collision coverage?

Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it. However, if your vehicle is paid in full, you have the option to drop the coverages.

Will my insurance go up if I get hit by an uninsured driver?

However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.

Do I need accident coverage?

If an accident results in medical expenses your current health insurance doesn't cover, accident insurance can serve as a financial cushion should the unexpected happen. Accident insurance also helps complement disability insurance by allowing you to claim benefits even if your injuries don't keep you out of work.

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 happens if I don't put full coverage on my car?

Having only the minimum liability required by your state with no additional coverage leaves a large gap when it comes to repairing your vehicle after an accident.

How often should car insurance go up?

Annual increases are typical across the industry, but the way your risk factors are viewed by a particular company may vary. Get to understand your coverage and discounts to ensure you are getting the best price for the assurance you need.

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.

How to get a new roof without paying deductible?

No matter what a roofer tells you you must pay your deductible. There is no way around it and insurance will consider it insurance fraud if they do. Many homeowners try to find a way around this but there is no way around it. You can also verify this directly with your insurance provider or an attorney.

Do you want a high or low collision deductible?

A higher deductible means a higher out-of-pocket cost when you file a collision claim, but you also get a lower car insurance rate. If you'd like to save money now and you're confident you could afford a larger, one-time expense if you have an accident, a higher deductible might be a better fit.