Comprehensive Car Insurance Guide

No, comprehensive insurance is not full coverage, but it is a key component of full coverage car insurance, along with collision insurance and any state-mandated types of coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers non-accident-related vehicle damage caused by things like vandalism or a natural disaster.

Comprehensive Insurance vs. Full Coverage

Full coverage is a catch-all term for a few different types of car insurance policies and is a phrase more commonly used by consumers than car insurance companies. Some define full coverage as a policy that protects the policyholder from anything and everything in the event of an accident, while others say it is any policy with anything beyond the minimum coverage required by law.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guides to comprehensive insurance and full coverage insurance.

An example of what comprehensive insurance covers is your car getting stolen, vandalized with graffiti, or damaged by a falling tree branch. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by events other than collisions. Comprehensive insurance is sometimes said to cover “acts of god” because it covers things that are out of your control and cannot be prevented or predicted.

Examples of What Comprehensive Insurance Covers

• Theft
• Vandalism (like a broken...

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage or loss caused by theft, natural disasters, vandalism, animals, and other situations that are out of a driveru2019s control. Although comprehensive coverage is not required by law, it...

It is better to have comprehensive insurance than collision insurance, if you need to choose between the two. Comprehensive coverage is inexpensive, can be purchased alone, and pays for damage due to events beyond your control, such as vandalism, theft, natural disasters or run-ins with animals.

On the other hand, drivers with a history of accidents or moving violations and drivers who live in high traffic areas should consider investing in collision insurance. Given that collision...

Comprehensive insurance is worth it if the premium is a small percentage of the car's value. Comprehensive insurance might also be worth it if the policyholder cannot afford to replace the vehicle without comprehensive coverage, or if the car is driven or parked in a particularly risky area.

Although comprehensive insurance is not mandatory in any state, dealerships and lenders frequently require comprehensive insurance, along with collision coverage, on leased or financed cars. In...

A good comprehensive deductible is an amount that the policyholder can afford to pay if their vehicle is suddenly damaged by something other than a car accident, such as vandalism or a natural disaster. Comprehensive insurance deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000, but they can sometimes be as high as $2,500. You choose your deductible when you purchase your policy, and the higher the deductible is, the lower your premium will be.

Comprehensive Deductible...

Comprehensive insurance is coverage that helps pay for the cost of damage to your vehicle when you're involved in an accident not caused by a collision. Comprehensive car insurance covers losses from things like theft, vandalism or extreme weather events.

Comprehensive coverage is never required by state law, but it is usually needed for cars that are leased or financed.

What Comprehensive Insurance Covers

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Damage from falling...

Comprehensive insurance costs $160 per year on average, making it an inexpensive coverage option. Like with any type of car insurance, comprehensive insurance premiums vary based on factors like location, the driver's age, and the vehicle's value.

Additionally, comprehensive insurance is subject to a deductible, often ranging from $500 to $1,500. The driver can choose her own deductible when purchasing the policy. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, and vice versa.

Comprehensive insurance covers...

Yes, comprehensive insurance covers theft. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage will pay to replace a stolen car, repair damage done by thieves, or replace stolen parts, though it will not cover personal possessions stolen from inside a vehicle. It usually won't pay to repair or replace custom parts or other equipment added by the driver, either.

Comprehensive coverage, which pays for non-accident damage resulting from things like natural disasters and theft/vandalism, is limited to the...

You don't need to carry comprehensive insurance on an old car, unless you have a financing contract that requires it. Comprehensive coverage becomes less valuable as your car depreciates, so you could drop it. A good way to find out if comprehensive coverage is worth it is to compare the value of your car with the cost of insurance and your deductible.