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
| Feature | Collision | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| What It Covers | Crashes with vehicles/objects | Non-collision damage |
| Hitting Another Car | Yes | No |
| Hitting a Tree/Pole | Yes | No |
| Theft | No | Yes |
| Weather Damage | No | Yes |
| Animal Strikes | No | Yes |
| Average Annual Cost | $400-600 | $150-300 |
| Deductible | $250-1,000 | $100-500 |
What Does Collision Insurance Cover?
Collision CoverageAuto insurance that pays to repair your vehicle when it collides with another vehicle or object. 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 CoverageAuto insurance covering non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, and weather. 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
| Coverage | Annual Cost | Typical Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | $400-600 | $500 |
| Comprehensive | $150-300 | $250 |
| Both Combined | $550-900 | Varies |
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.
| Car Value | Max Annual Premium (10% Rule) |
|---|---|
| $3,000 | $300 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
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
| Scenario | Coverage Used |
|---|---|
| You hit a parked car | Collision |
| A parked car is hit by unknown driver | Collision (or UMPD) |
| Hail damages your car | Comprehensive |
| You hit a deer | Comprehensive |
| You swerve to avoid deer and hit a tree | Collision |
| Your car is stolen | Comprehensive |
| Your windshield cracks from road debris | Comprehensive |
| You back into your garage door | Collision |
| A tree falls on your car | Comprehensive |
| Your car catches fire | Comprehensive |
Making Your Decision
Consider these questions:
- What’s your car worth? If less than $4,000-5,000, collision may not be worth it.
- Do you have a loan/lease? Lenders require both coverages.
- Can you self-insure? Do you have savings to replace your car?
- What are local risks? Severe weather, theft, or wildlife may favor comprehensive.
- What’s your driving record? More accidents may warrant collision coverage.
Tools
- Auto Insurance Coverage Calculator - Calculate your ideal coverage levels
- Deductible vs Premium Calculator - Find the right deductible for your budget
Related Guides
Data Sources
Auto insurance information in this guide comes from NAIC (opens in new tab) , Insurance Information Institute (opens in new tab) , and state insurance department data. Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive?
Collision covers damage when your car hits another vehicle or object (guardrail, tree, pole). Comprehensive covers non-collision events like theft, vandalism, weather, fire, and animal strikes. Both cover your vehicle but for different types of damage.
Do I need both collision and comprehensive?
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender requires both. For older vehicles, you might skip one or both if the premium exceeds 10% of your car’s value annually. Many drivers keep comprehensive even on older cars because it’s inexpensive.
Which is more expensive, collision or comprehensive?
Collision is typically more expensive because collision claims are more common and usually cost more to repair. Collision averages $400-600/year while comprehensive averages $150-300/year.
Does comprehensive cover hitting a deer?
Yes. Hitting an animal is covered under comprehensive, not collision. This includes deer, dogs, birds, and other animals. If you swerve to avoid an animal and hit a tree, that’s collision coverage.
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