What Does Comprehensive Insurance Mean?

Comprehensive car insurance is an optional insurance policy that can provide a more extensive level of coverage than just basic liability coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from incidents that are not collision-related, such as theft, vandalism, or severe weather.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive insurance covers a range of non-collision-related incidents that can cause damage to your vehicle. Some of the most common incidents covered by comprehensive insurance include:

Incident
Coverage
Theft
Covered
Vandalism
Covered
Fire
Covered
Hail damage
Covered
Falling objects
Covered
Animal damage
Covered
Flood damage
Covered

Comprehensive insurance can also cover damage to your car that occurs as a result of a collision with an animal, such as hitting a deer or a wild boar.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Not Cover?

While comprehensive insurance can cover a lot of different incidents, there are some things that it typically does not cover. These can include:

  • Damage to other cars or property
  • Injuries to you or other drivers/passengers
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Mechanical breakdowns
  • Damage from racing or other illegal activities

Do I Need Comprehensive Insurance?

Whether or not you need comprehensive insurance depends on a few factors, including:

  • The value of your car – If your car is worth a lot of money, comprehensive insurance may be worth the investment to protect your investment.
  • Your location – If you live in an area with a higher risk of theft, vandalism, or severe weather, comprehensive insurance can offer added peace of mind.
  • Your personal preference – Some people simply prefer to have more extensive coverage than just basic liability coverage.

How Does Comprehensive Insurance Work?

If you have comprehensive insurance, you will typically pay a deductible when filing a claim for a covered incident. The deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Once you have met your deductible, your insurance company will provide coverage based on the terms of your policy.

The amount of coverage you have will vary based on your specific policy. Some policies may provide full coverage for the value of your car, while others may only provide coverage up to a certain amount.

FAQs

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and file a claim for $2,000 in damages, you would pay $500 and your insurance company would cover the remaining $1,500.

What is the difference between comprehensive insurance and collision insurance?

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from incidents that are not collision-related, such as theft, vandalism, or severe weather. Collision insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your car that occurs as a result of a collision with another vehicle or object.

How much does comprehensive insurance cost?

The cost of comprehensive insurance can vary based on a number of factors, including your location, the value of your car, the deductible you choose, and your driving history. On average, comprehensive insurance can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per year.

Do I have to have comprehensive insurance?

No, comprehensive insurance is an optional insurance policy. However, if you have a car loan, your lender may require you to have comprehensive insurance as part of your loan agreement.

What should I do if I need to file a claim for a covered incident?

If you need to file a claim for a covered incident, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They will provide you with instructions on how to file a claim and what information you will need to provide. Be sure to gather as much information about the incident as possible, including any police reports or witness statements.