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How to find the best comprehensive car insurance

Car insurance is legally required in most states, but drivers have some choice in the types of coverage they carry. One of the most common optional car insurance policies is comprehensive insurance, which comes standard with full coverage policies.

Portrait of smiling woman on a road near her stopped white car with punctured car tire. Female driver calling car service for help, holding umbrella.

Written by Elizabeth Rivelli

Reviewed by Alyssa DiCrasto

Last updated: January 30th, 2023

What does comprehensive coverage mean for auto insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance provides physical damage coverage for your vehicle if it gets damaged in a non-collision event. Many drivers get comprehensive car insurance by purchasing a full coverage policy, which also includes liability insurance, collision insurance, and medical payments insurance.

Although comprehensive insurance is optional, most drivers choose to purchase this policy. An analysis from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) found that almost 80% of insured drivers carry comprehensive coverage, in addition to personal liability insurance (which is legally required in almost every state).

What does my comprehensive car insurance cover?

Despite the name, comprehensive car insurance doesn’t cover everything. So, what does comprehensive car insurance cover? Here are some examples:

  • Falling objects
  • Flood damage
  • Fire damage
  • Vandalism
  • Theft
  • Weather-related damage
  • Glass damage
  • Accidents with animals

If your car gets damaged in a covered incident, your comprehensive car insurance policy covers the cost of repairs, less your deductible. In most cases, comprehensive insurance pays out based on the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle, which is equal to the fair market value minus depreciation. Most comprehensive policies also have a deductible, which you must pay in the event of a claim.

What is not covered in comprehensive car insurance?

Comprehensive car insurance provides physical damage coverage if your car is damaged in a covered incident that’s not a collision. That means your comprehensive policy will not pay for things like:

  • Collision damage (both single- and multi-car crashes)
  • Personal liability in an accident you cause
  • Medical expenses if you get injured
  • Theft of personal items in your vehicle
  • Normal wear and tear
  • Maintenance and repairs

Who needs comprehensive insurance?

Although comprehensive car insurance is optional, it’s a good investment for many drivers. If your car is brand new, or less than 10 years old, comprehensive insurance can provide valuable protection if your car is damaged in a covered loss.

In addition, you might be required to carry comprehensive insurance if you lease or finance your vehicle. Some lenders require drivers to have a full coverage policy until the loan is paid off, or until they are no longer upside down on their loan (when you owe more than what the car is worth). This protects the lender in the event that the car gets totaled before it’s paid off.

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How much does comprehensive insurance cost?

The average American driver can expect to spend $171 per year for comprehensive insurance. However, the cost of comprehensive car insurance is different for each driver, depending on a combination of factors. Some of these factors include:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Claim history
  • Credit score
  • Vehicle theft rate in your area
  • State-specific weather risks

In addition, your location has a big impact on the cost of comprehensive car insurance. For example, Triple-I data shows that the average Colorado driver pays $298 per year for comprehensive insurance, whereas the average California driver only pays $96 per year.

To find the cheapest comprehensive car insurance, it’s important to compare quotes from a few different insurers.

Is comprehensive coverage worth it?

If you drive a relatively new vehicle, or if you couldn’t afford to pay for vehicle repairs out-of-pocket, comprehensive car insurance is usually worth the cost. Comprehensive insurance is especially valuable because it covers theft. If you only carry liability insurance or collision insurance, you don’t have protection if your car or its parts get stolen.

Ultimately, every driver has different car insurance needs and various levels of risk tolerance. If you live in a safe neighborhood and garage your vehicle at home and at work, you might not need comprehensive insurance. However, other drivers feel that it provides valuable peace of mind in case the unexpected happens.

To find the best companies for comprehensive car insurance, take our short survey. We use your responses to match you with the best providers in your area that offer comprehensive coverage.

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What is the difference between comprehensive and full coverage car insurance?

If you’re shopping for car insurance, you’re probably familiar with full coverage insurance. It’s an optional package of insurance policies that provide more protection for your vehicle than minimum coverage policies, which typically only provide liability coverage.

Full coverage car insurance includes four main policies: collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, medical payments coverage, and liability insurance. Comprehensive insurance is just one of the policies that you get when you purchase full coverage car insurance.

Average cost of a standard full coverage car insurance policy in each state

How to save money on comprehensive insurance

There are several ways to potentially save money on comprehensive car insurance. One of the best ways to lower your premium (the amount you pay monthly or annually for your policy) is to increase your deductible, which is the out-of-pocket expense you must pay if you have a claim. The higher your deductible is, the lower your comprehensive premium will be.

You can also save money on car insurance overall by taking advantage of discounts. For example, many insurers provide savings for safe drivers, smart students, taking a defensive driving course, paying your annual premium in full, and having certain safety features in your vehicle.

Another great way to save money on comprehensive car insurance is to improve your credit score. In most states, your insurance company will check your credit when you apply for a policy, and your credit is used to calculate your premium. If you have a good credit score, you will probably pay less for car insurance.

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What is the difference between collision and comprehensive?

When you insure your car with a full coverage policy, you get collision and comprehensive insurance, which both cover physical damage. The biggest difference between these policies is what’s covered.

As the name suggests, collision insurance pays for your vehicle’s repairs after an accident you cause. It covers multi-car accidents, single-car accidents, and hit-and-runs (in most cases). Comprehensive insurance, on the other hand, pays out if your vehicle gets damaged from something other than an accident, like a wildfire or severe hailstorm.

Methodology

Rate Retriever rates are based on public rate filings obtained by analytics company First Interpreter. This data comes from the rating plans insurance carriers submit to each state’s department of insurance. Rating plans detail how each carrier calculates premiums using factors such as location, age, gender, and driving record, and they ensure that insurance premiums are both fair and competitive.  

For the data on this page, we made the following assumptions: a single male with a clean driving record and Good credit score, driving a 2023 RAV4. We adjusted this profile by age to determine the rates you see on this page. 

These rates are not actual quotes and should be used only for comparative purposes. Your rates can vary significantly based on your unique driver profile. 

Car insurance coverage questions

What is the difference between full coverage and comprehensive coverage?

Full coverage typically refers to auto insurance policies that include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance helps pay for others’ injuries or damages, while collision coverage helps pay for damage to your own car in an accident. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, helps pay for damage to your car from things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. So, while full coverage includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, comprehensive coverage specifically focuses on damages to your car from certain incidents.

What is comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance is a type of car insurance that helps pay for damage to your vehicle that is not caused by a collision. This can include things like theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or hitting an animal. It gives you more protection than just basic liability insurance.

What does comprehensive insurance cover?

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that isn’t from a collision, like theft, vandalism, weather disasters, and accidents involving animals. It also covers broken windows, fire damage, and other non-collision incidents. It’s important to have comprehensive coverage to protect your car from a wide range of unexpected events.

Is comprehensive insurance required by law?

Comprehensive insurance is not required by law, but it is often required by lenders for car loans. Comprehensive insurance helps cover damages to your car that are not caused by a collision, like theft or natural disasters. While not legally mandatory, comprehensive insurance can provide added protection and peace of mind for unexpected events. It’s important to check with your state’s laws and your lender to determine if comprehensive insurance is necessary for you.

How does comprehensive insurance differ from collision insurance?

Comprehensive insurance helps cover damage to your car from things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. It also includes coverage for hitting an animal. Collision insurance, on the other hand, only covers damage from accidents with other vehicles or objects. It’s important to have both types of insurance if you want your property to be protected in case you need to make a claim.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car in an accident?

Comprehensive insurance typically does not cover damage to your car in an accident. Instead, it usually covers things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. To cover accident damage, you would need collision insurance. It’s important to review your insurance policy carefully to understand what is covered and consider adding collision coverage if you want protection for accidents. Remember to also consider your deductible, which is the amount you would need to pay before your insurance kicks in to cover the remaining cost of repairs.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from vandalism?

Yes, comprehensive insurance typically covers damage to your car from vandalism. Comprehensive insurance helps pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged by incidents outside your control like theft, fire, natural disasters, or vandalism. If your car is vandalized, you can file a claim with your insurance company to have the damage repaired. Remember to document the vandalism and file a police report to help with your insurance claim.

Can I get comprehensive insurance for a leased or financed car?

Yes, you can get comprehensive insurance for a leased or financed car. Comprehensive insurance covers damage or loss to your car caused by things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. This type of insurance is usually required by leasing companies or lenders to protect the value of the car. It is a good idea to have comprehensive insurance on a leased or financed car to ensure you are protected in case of any unexpected events.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car’s audio and entertainment system?

Comprehensive insurance usually only covers damage to components of your car that are pre-installed or permanent. If your car’s audio and entertainment system was added or enhanced, it may not be covered by your comprehensive insurance. Be sure to review your insurance policy or contact your insurance provider for specific information about what is covered.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to personal belongings stolen from my car?

Comprehensive insurance generally covers damage to your car from things like theft; however, it usually does not cover personal belongings stolen from inside your car. For those items, you may need to look into a separate policy, such as renters or homeowners insurance. Comprehensive car insurance will cover pre-installed, permanent components of your vehicle stolen or damaged by theft.

Does comprehensive insurance cover towing expenses if my car is damaged?

If you car is damaged in a covered incident, your comprehensive insurance may cover towing expenses. It’s important to check your policy or contact your insurance company to understand the specific details of your coverage.

Does comprehensive insurance cover rental car reimbursement if my car is in the shop?

Yes, if your car is in the shop due to a covered incident like an accident or theft, comprehensive insurance typically covers rental car reimbursement. You will not get rental car reimbursement through insurance if your car is in the shop for routine maintenance. It’s important to check your specific policy details to make sure rental car reimbursement is included and to understand any limits or restrictions that may apply. It’s always best to contact your insurance provider for specific information about your coverage.

Will my comprehensive insurance rates increase if I file a claim?

Your comprehensive insurance rates may increase if you file a claim. Insurance companies often consider your claim history when determining your rates. If you have filed multiple claims, they may see you as a higher risk and raise your rates accordingly. It’s important to weigh the cost of your claim against the potential increase in rates before deciding to file.

Can I choose my deductible amount for comprehensive insurance?

Yes, you can choose your deductible amount for comprehensive insurance. The deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance company pays for a claim. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your insurance premium, but you will have to pay more out of pocket if you need to make a claim. Make sure to pick a deductible amount that you can afford in case of an accident or other covered event.

What is the deductible for comprehensive insurance?

The deductible for comprehensive insurance is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers the rest of a claim for things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Typically, the higher the deductible you choose, the lower your monthly premium will be. It’s important to consider both the deductible amount and your budget when choosing a comprehensive insurance plan.

Can I add comprehensive insurance to my policy at any time?

Yes, you can add comprehensive insurance to your policy at any time; however, it may increase your monthly premium to have the additional coverage. It’s a good idea to have comprehensive coverage to protect your car from things like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. It can be added to your policy easily by contacting your insurance company and requesting the coverage.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from acts of terrorism?

Comprehensive insurance usually covers damage to your car from acts of terrorism, like bombings or other violent attacks. This type of insurance can help pay for repairs or replace your car if it’s damaged or destroyed by a terrorist event. It’s important to check the details of your policy to make sure acts of terrorism are covered.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from earthquakes?

Comprehensive insurance usually covers damage to your car from earthquakes. This means that if your car gets damaged during an earthquake, your insurance will help pay for the repairs, after you pay your deductible. It’s always a good idea to talk to your insurance provider to understand exactly what is covered under your comprehensive insurance.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from riots or civil unrest?

Comprehensive insurance can cover damage to your car from riots or civil unrest. This type of insurance helps pay for repairs or replacement if your vehicle is damaged by vandalism, theft, or other non-collision events. It’s important to check your policy to see if riots and civil unrest are included in your coverage. If they are, you may be able to file a claim and receive compensation for the damage caused to your car during these events. It’s best to contact your insurance provider for specific details on what is covered under your policy.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from hailstorms?

Yes, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from hailstorms. It can give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected in case of an unexpected event like a hailstorm. Make sure to check your policy to see what exactly is covered and any deductibles you may need to pay.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from flooding?

Comprehensive insurance typically covers damage to your car from flooding. This type of insurance protects your vehicle from a variety of risks, including natural disasters like flooding. However, it’s important to review your policy and speak with your insurance provider to make sure you have the proper coverage for flood damage. If your policy does not include coverage for flooding, you may need to consider adding it or exploring other options for protecting your car from this type of damage.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from fire?

Yes, comprehensive insurance usually covers damage to your car from fire. Comprehensive insurance protects your car from non-collision incidents like fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. If your car is damaged by a fire, your comprehensive insurance policy may pay for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle. It’s important to check your specific policy coverage to make sure fire damage is included and to understand any deductibles or limitations that may apply.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from falling objects?

Yes, comprehensive insurance will cover damage to your car from falling objects, like hail or tree limbs. Comprehensive coverage is a good idea if you want to protect your car from unexpected accidents that are not caused by a collision. Be sure to contact your insurance company if you need to make a claim for damage from a falling object.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from hitting an animal?

Comprehensive insurance typically covers damage to your car if you hit an animal. This type of coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement costs due to accidents with animals, like deer or birds. Remember to report the incident to your insurance provider and any authorities if necessary.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from theft?

Yes, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from theft. If your car is stolen, comprehensive insurance will typically pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle. This coverage is optional but can be helpful if you want financial protection in case of theft. Make sure to review your insurance policy to fully understand what is covered and any deductible you may have to pay. It’s important to report the theft to the police and your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage to my car from natural disasters?

Yes, comprehensive insurance typically covers damage to your car from natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. This type of insurance helps pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle if it is damaged by events out of your control. It is important to review your policy and understand the specific coverage limits and exclusions related to natural disasters. It is advised to consult with your insurance agent to ensure you have the appropriate coverage for potential damage caused by these types of events.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage caused by hitting a pothole?

Comprehensive insurance does not typically cover damage caused by hitting a pothole. Comprehensive insurance usually covers damage from things like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters, but hitting a pothole is usually considered a collision. Collision insurance is what would cover damage from hitting a pothole, but not all insurance policies include it. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to see if you have collision coverage and if hitting a pothole would be included in your policy.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage caused by a hit-and-run driver?

Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by events like weather, natural disasters, theft, and animals. To cover damage caused by a hit-and-run driver, you may need uninsured motorist coverage. It’s important to check your policy or talk to your insurance company to make sure you have the right coverage.

Does comprehensive insurance cover damage caused by a collision with an animal in the road?

Yes, comprehensive insurance typically covers damage from a collision with an animal on the road. Comprehensive insurance protects against things like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, as well as accidents involving animals. If your car is damaged in a collision with an animal, your comprehensive insurance should help cover the cost of repairs.

Is it better to have comprehensive or collision insurance?

It depends on your specific needs and budget. Comprehensive insurance can protect you from things like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, while collision insurance helps cover damage to your car if you get in an accident. If you have a newer or more expensive car, both types of coverage might be a good idea. However, if you have an older car or are on a tighter budget, you may choose to just have collision insurance. It’s important to carefully weigh your options and consider what you can afford and what risks you are most concerned about.