These two coverages are what people usually mean by the “coverage” half of full coverage. They protect your own vehicle, and they work differently.
Comprehensive vs collision at a glance
| Comprehensive | Collision | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Non-collision losses: theft, fire, vandalism, hail, flood, hitting an animal | Damage from hitting another vehicle or an object, or a rollover |
| Fault | Pays regardless of fault | Pays regardless of fault |
| Deductible | Yes, usually separate | Yes, usually separate |
| Often required by | Lender or lessor | Lender or lessor |
| When some drop it | Older, low-value vehicles | Older, low-value vehicles |
What collision covers
Collision pays for damage to your car from impact: hitting another vehicle, hitting an object like a guardrail or tree, or a rollover. It applies regardless of fault, minus your collision deductible. If you are hit by another driver, their liability may pay instead, but collision is there when fault is unclear or the other driver cannot pay.
What comprehensive covers
Comprehensive covers most things that are not a collision: theft, fire, hail and storm damage, flood, falling objects, vandalism, and hitting an animal like a deer. It applies minus your comprehensive deductible, which is often lower than the collision deductible.
Deductibles by vehicle
Each coverage has its own deductible, and they can differ by vehicle. On a multi-car policy, you might carry a higher collision deductible on an older car and a lower one on a newer one. We cover this in auto insurance deductibles.
Lender and lease requirements
If your vehicle is financed or leased, the lender or lessor almost always requires comprehensive and collision until the loan is paid off, because the car is their collateral. Dropping them is not your decision alone while a lien exists.
When dropping comp and collision makes sense, and when it does not
Once a vehicle’s value drops low enough that the premium and deductible approach what a payout would be, and you could replace the car yourself, dropping comp and collision can be reasonable. It is risky if you still depend on the vehicle and could not absorb the loss. This decision ties directly to how the car would be valued after a total loss.
Questions to ask your advisor
- Which coverage responds to the kinds of losses I am most worried about?
- What deductible am I carrying on each coverage and each vehicle?
- Is my vehicle financed or leased, and does the lienholder require both coverages?
- Given my car’s current value, does keeping comp and collision still make sense?
- Did a cheaper quote quietly remove comprehensive or collision?
Want guidance first? Compare your coverage. Already know what you need? Get a quote.
Continue the series
You are reading part 6 of How to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes Without Getting Burned.
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