Collision vs Comprehensive Auto Insurance: Complete Guide

When shopping for auto insurance, understanding the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage helps you make smart decisions about protecting your vehicle.

Quick Comparison

What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle when it collides with another object, regardless of who’s at fault.

Covered Events

• Vehicle-to-vehicle crashes: Hitting another car
• Single-vehicle accidents: Hitting a guardrail, tree, pole, or curb
• Rollovers: Your vehicle flipping over
• Potholes: Damage from hitting potholes
• Parking lot incidents: Another car hitting yours (if they’re unidentified)

Not Covered by Collision

• Theft or vandalism (comprehensive)
• Weather damage (comprehensive)
• Animal strikes (comprehensive)
• Mechanical failures
• Normal wear and tear

Example Claims

• You rear-end another vehicle: Collision
• You skid on ice and hit a guardrail: Collision
• You back into a pole in a parking lot: Collision
• Your car is totaled in a multi-vehicle accident: Collision

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive covers damage to your vehicle from events other than collisions—often called “acts of God” or “other than collision” coverage.

Covered Events

• Theft: Vehicle stolen or parts stolen
• Vandalism: Keyed paint, broken windows, slashed tires
• Weather: Hail, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning
• Fire: Vehicle fires from any cause
• Falling objects: Tree branches, debris, cargo from trucks
• Animal strikes: Hitting deer, dogs, birds
• Glass damage: Cracked or shattered windshield
• Civil unrest: Riots, protests causing damage

Not Covered by Comprehensive

• Collision with vehicles or objects
• Mechanical breakdowns
• Normal wear and tear
• Personal belongings inside car (covered by homeowners/renters)

Example Claims

• A tree falls on your parked car: Comprehensive
• Your car is stolen from a parking lot: Comprehensive
• Hail damages your hood and roof: Comprehensive
• You hit a deer on the highway: Comprehensive

Cost Comparison

Average Annual Costs

Factors Affecting Cost

Collision costs more because:

• Collision claims are more frequent
• Repair costs are typically higher
• Driver behavior affects collision risk

Comprehensive costs less because:

• Claims are less frequent
• Many claims are smaller (glass, minor theft)
• Less related to driver behavior

When You Need Each Type

You Need Collision If:

• You have a car loan or lease (lender requires it)
• You can’t afford to replace your car out-of-pocket
• Your car has significant value
• You’re concerned about at-fault accidents

You Need Comprehensive If:

• You have a car loan or lease (lender requires it)
• You live in an area with severe weather (hail, floods)
• Theft and vandalism are common in your area
• You park outside where damage is more likely
• You frequently drive in areas with wildlife

When to Consider Dropping Coverage

The general rule: If annual premiums exceed 10% of your car’s value, consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive.

Note: Comprehensive is usually worth keeping longer because it’s cheaper and covers high-impact events like theft.

Choosing Deductibles

Higher deductibles = lower premiums, but more out-of-pocket when you claim.

Collision Deductibles

• $250: Higher premium, lower out-of-pocket
• $500: Most common, balanced approach
• $1,000: Lower premium, higher out-of-pocket

Comprehensive Deductibles

• $100-250: Common, keeps claims affordable
• $500: Reasonable for drivers with savings
• Some offer $0 glass deductible: Useful in areas with rock chips

Deductible Strategy

• Choose a deductible you can afford to pay suddenly
• Higher deductibles work if you have an emergency fund
• Consider separate deductibles for collision vs comprehensive

Common Scenarios

Making Your Decision

Consider these questions:

1. What’s your car worth? If less than $4,000-5,000, collision may not be worth it.
2. Do you have a loan/lease? Lenders require both coverages.
3. Can you self-insure? Do you have savings to replace your car?
4. What are local risks? Severe weather, theft, or wildlife may favor comprehensive.
5. What’s your driving record? More accidents may warrant collision coverage.

Related Guides

• Auto Insurance Guide
• Liability vs Comprehensive
• Auto Insurance Costs by State