Two coverages, two kinds of damage
The simple answer
Collision generally covers damage to your car from hitting another vehicle or object, or from rolling over. Comprehensive generally covers non-collision events such as theft, hail, flood, fire, vandalism, falling objects, and contact with an animal. Both usually have a deductible and both are optional under state law, although a lender or lessor may require them.
Bottom line
Collision is about crashes. Comprehensive is about many other causes of physical damage.
A real-world example
The deer and guardrail example
- 1.You hit a deer and damage the hood.
- 2.That animal impact is generally handled under comprehensive.
- 3.If you swerve and hit a guardrail instead, the guardrail impact is generally handled under collision.
The cause of the damage determines the coverage. The final decision still depends on the policy language, facts, exclusions, and deductible.
See the difference
Collision commonly includes
- Crash with another vehicle
- Impact with a tree, pole, or guardrail
- Single-car rollover
- Pothole-related vehicle damage when covered
Comprehensive commonly includes
- xTheft or vandalism
- xHail, wind, flood, or fire
- xFalling objects
- xBroken glass when covered
- xImpact with an animal
Insurance words translated
Three terms to know
- Physical damage coverage
- Coverage for damage to your own vehicle. Collision and comprehensive are the two main forms.
- Actual cash value
- The vehicle's pre-loss market value, generally adjusted for condition, mileage, options, and local comparable vehicles.
- Deductible
- The amount subtracted from a covered payment. Collision and comprehensive can have different deductibles.
Plain-English guide 1
What collision pays for
Collision can pay to repair your vehicle after a covered crash, up to policy and vehicle-value limits. If repairs are not economical, the insurer may declare a total loss and value the vehicle instead.
It does not pay another driver's injury or vehicle claim. That is the role of liability coverage when you are legally responsible.
- A loan or lease commonly requires collision.
- The deductible applies to your own covered damage.
- Payment cannot normally exceed the covered vehicle's value.
Related guidance: See what liability coverage pays for
Plain-English guide 2
What comprehensive pays for
Comprehensive is sometimes called other-than-collision coverage. It addresses listed or covered non-crash causes such as theft, weather, fire, vandalism, glass, and animal contact.
It does not mean every possible problem is covered. Wear, mechanical breakdown, personal property, and excluded uses usually need a different coverage or are not insured.
Related guidance: Review common policy exclusions
Plain-English guide 3
How to choose deductibles
Choose an amount you could pay tomorrow without borrowing. A higher deductible may lower the premium, but it also makes small claims less useful.
Ask for quotes with several deductible combinations. Compare the annual savings with the additional amount you would pay after a loss rather than assuming one amount is always best.
Related guidance: Choose a deductible you can afford
Plain-English guide 4
When an older car changes the decision
As a car's value falls, the maximum possible payment falls too. Compare the vehicle's realistic value, annual premium for each coverage, deductible, lender requirements, and your ability to replace the car.
There is no universal age or percentage at which everyone should drop coverage. Comprehensive and collision can also be evaluated separately.
Related guidance: See how GAP works after a total loss
What to do next
Before changing either coverage
- 1Check whether a lender or lease requires physical damage coverage.
- 2Estimate the vehicle's current market value.
- 3Request the separate premium for collision and comprehensive.
- 4Compare several deductible options.
- 5Decide how you would replace the car after a total loss.
Estimate whether a claim may make sense
Compare repair cost and deductible before treating every small loss as an automatic claim.
Use the claim calculatorImportant limits
Coverage names are common, but policy definitions, exclusions, glass options, rental coverage, and lender requirements vary. Read the declarations and policy forms.
