What Is the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive
Collision covers damage from a crash. Comprehensive covers damage from almost everything that isn't a crash.
Collision is for crashes, comprehensive is for everything else
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car when you hit something, or something hits you, in an accident. It applies whether the crash was your fault or not, though if it was someone else's fault their insurer may end up paying instead.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage that didn't come from a crash. That includes theft, fire, hail, flooding, a tree branch falling on your car, or hitting a deer. Most insurers require you to carry both or neither. If your car is paid off, you can drop one or both and take on that risk yourself.
Whether you still owe money on the car
If you have a loan or a lease, the lender almost always requires both collision and comprehensive. They want their collateral protected no matter how it gets damaged, so you don't get to choose one over the other.
Once the car is paid off, the choice is yours. At that point it comes down to what the car is worth and what you could afford to pay out of pocket if it were totaled or stolen.
A lot of older drivers carry a car that's long since paid off and worth less each year. For an older car, the payout from a claim can end up close to what you'd spend on premiums over a few years, which is the main reason people drop one or both coverages as a car ages.
What your car is actually worth
Both coverages only pay up to your car's current market value, minus your deductible. They don't pay what you paid for the car or what it would cost to replace it with something newer.
This matters most for comprehensive claims, since things like hail damage or a cracked windshield can cost more to fix than an old car is worth. When that happens, the insurer may total the car instead of repairing it.
Before you decide to carry or drop either coverage, it's worth checking what your car would actually be valued at in a claim. Your insurer or agent can tell you how they'd value it, since methods vary by company.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need collision and comprehensive if I'm older and drive less?
Driving less doesn't remove the risk these coverages protect against, since a parked car can still be hit, stolen, or damaged in weather. What matters more is your car's value and whether you could cover a full repair or replacement yourself. If you drive rarely and the car is older, that's worth discussing with your insurer or agent.
Does comprehensive cover a windshield crack?
Yes, a cracked or chipped windshield from a rock or debris is typically a comprehensive claim, not collision, since it's not the result of hitting another vehicle. Some insurers offer separate glass coverage with no deductible or a lower one. Check your policy or ask your insurer how windshield damage is handled.
What happens if I hit a deer, is that collision or comprehensive?
Hitting an animal is covered under comprehensive, not collision, even though it involves your car colliding with something. Insurers classify it this way because it's considered an unavoidable event rather than an at-fault crash. If you only carry collision, deer damage would not be covered.
Can I drop collision coverage but keep comprehensive?
Yes, if your car is paid off you can choose to carry one without the other. Some older drivers keep comprehensive for things like theft or weather but drop collision once the car's value is low enough that a crash repair wouldn't be worth the premium. Ask your insurer how dropping one affects your overall premium before deciding.
Will my rate go up after a comprehensive claim the same way it would after an accident?
This depends on the insurer. Some treat comprehensive claims, like a stolen car or storm damage, as not your fault and don't raise your rate the same way an at-fault collision claim would. Others weigh it differently. Ask your insurer directly how they handle comprehensive claims before you file one.
See what carrying both, or just one, would actually cost for your car.
Find your current policy and check what collision and comprehensive are each costing you separately, since most insurers break this out on the declarations page. If your car is paid off, look up roughly what it's worth right now. Call your agent or insurer and ask how they'd value your car in a claim, since that number matters more than what you paid for it. Then decide if the coverage is worth it against what you'd pay out of pocket. If you're comparing new quotes, ask each insurer the same questions about valuation and claims handling so you're comparing like for like.
