What Is Comprehensive Insurance?

A comprehensive insurance policy will replace or repair your vehicle if stolen or damaged in a non-collision incident. Comprehensive coverage usually covers damage caused by fire, vandalism, or falling objects. If you are leasing a car, your lender requires comprehensive coverage. If you own your vehicle outright, it is optional on your car insurance policy. 

So, find out how comprehensive coverage differs from collision coverage, how limits and deductibles impact the coverage when you are getting an auto insurance quote or reviewing your current policy. 

Providing comprehensive coverage

You will not be covered if you collide with an object or another vehicle. But if you buy a full coverage policy, you will also have collision and comprehensive coverage. 

What is included in Comprehensive Insurance?

It helps you to cover damage to your car that is not the result of the collision. It covers:

• Theft
• Fire
• Vandalism
• Weather-related incidents or natural disasters
• Falling objects
• Damage done by animals
• Windows and windshields that are broken
• A civil disturbance (such as a riot that results in your car being damaged or destroyed)

What is not included?

• Damage done to your car from a collision.
• An accident that damages another person's vehicle.
• You or your family member or your passengers' medical expenses are not covered after an accident.

Can I file a claim at any time?

Before filing a claim, you should know the amount of damage done to your vehicle. But if the cost to repair your vehicle falls below the deductible amount, then it might not be worth filling one. Doing this can increase your chances that your premium goes up during the repair.

You should follow these steps if you decide to file a claim:

• Get in touch with your agent and inform them of your situation.
• Submit your documents like reports, videos, or pictures that help to solve your claim. 
• Your auto insurance companies may ask you for an estimate from a local repair shop.

Depending on your state, the amount of time you have to submit a claim may differ. Thus, you should verify these details with your insurance provider.

Is Comprehensive Coverage Necessary?

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender may need comprehensive coverage. For those of you where it is optional, you may enjoy having this coverage. It is different from liability coverage in that the state does not need it. If one of the above damages occurs to your vehicle, this coverage will reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Luckily, comprehensive coverage is not expensive compared to other coverages. 

The cost of comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car caused by accidents and disasters beyond auto accidents. The approximate cost of comprehensive insurance is $134 a year. But, depending on the state insurance reports, that figure is $192. 

The deductibles for collision and comprehensive insurance differ so that drivers can choose the deductible best suits their perceived risk levels. For example, someone who does not believe they'll file a complete claim, but does not want to forego comprehensive insurance altogether, could lower the premiums by choosing a high $1,000 deductible. But, a full insurance policy will be more expensive if the vehicle's cash value is higher.

If you know how insurance companies classify drivers, you can estimate the cost of comprehensive coverage. How much you pay for your insurance includes an extensive range, depending on where you live, how you drive, and how much coverage you choose.

Tip: It is also essential to know some things before buying your first auto insurance policy so that you will never have to deal with any problems. 

Collision Insurance vs. Comprehensive Insurance - What's the Difference?

In general, collision coverage comes into play when a driver gets into an accident. As a result, collision coverage helps pay for the damage to your car if it collides with another vehicle.

Unlike collision coverage, comprehensive coverage helps cover losses that do not occur due to driving the vehicle, such as theft, hail, or fallen trees.

Conclusion

With the help of an auto insurance quote you can end up paying a steep repair bill when your car is damaged. So weigh the cost of potential repairs against the premiums you might pay to maintain comprehensive coverage.