What’s the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?

If you're shopping for car insurance, you've probably come across comprehensive and collision coverage. While they're often purchased together, they protect your vehicle from very different types of damage. Knowing what each covers can help you decide whether one, or both, make sense for your situation.

Unlike liability insurance, which pays for damage you cause to others, comprehensive and collision coverage help pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after a covered loss. Neither is required by state law, but they may be required if you finance or lease your car.

"Full coverage" isn't an official type of auto insurance. Instead, it's a term commonly used to describe a policy that combines liability insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage.

Liability insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage you cause to other people. Comprehensive and collision coverage protect your own vehicle from covered damage, whether it's caused by a crash or another event like theft or severe weather.

Although full coverage offers broader protection, it doesn't cover every possible loss. For example, roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, gap insurance, and rideshare coverage are typically optional add-ons rather than part of a standard full coverage policy.

Comprehensive insurance helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle when it's damaged by something other than a collision. It's designed to protect against many of the unexpected events that can happen whether your car is parked or on the road.¹

Comprehensive insurance typically covers:

• Theft

• Vandalism

• Fire

• Hail and other weather-related damage

• Flooding

• Falling trees, branches, or other objects

• Broken windshields and other glass damage (depending on your policy)

• Hitting a deer or another animal

• Riots and civil disturbances

For example, if your car is stolen from your driveway, a hailstorm dents your hood, or a tree branch falls on your parked vehicle, comprehensive coverage may help pay for repairs or the vehicle's value if it's declared a total loss, minus your deductible.

Collision insurance helps pay for damage to your vehicle after it collides with another vehicle or object, regardless of who caused the accident.

Collision insurance typically covers:

• Crashing into another vehicle

• Hitting a guardrail, fence, mailbox, or utility pole

• Backing into a parked vehicle or stationary object

• Single-vehicle accidents

• Vehicle rollovers

For example, if you slide on a wet road and hit a guardrail or accidentally back into a concrete pillar in a parking garage, collision coverage can help pay for repairs after your deductible is applied.

Collision coverage only pays for damage to your own vehicle. Damage you cause to another driver's vehicle is generally covered under your property damage liability insurance.¹

The right answer depends on your vehicle, your budget, and how much financial risk you're comfortable taking.

Keeping both coverages usually makes sense if you:

• Finance or lease your vehicle

• Own a newer or higher-value vehicle

• Couldn't easily afford to replace your car after a major loss

• Live in an area with frequent theft, severe weather, or a high number of animal collisions

On the other hand, you may consider dropping one or both coverages if:

• Your vehicle has a low market value.

• The cost of the coverage is close to what your insurer would pay after a total loss.

• You have enough savings to repair or replace the vehicle yourself.

• You own the vehicle outright and are comfortable assuming the risk.

If you're unsure whether comprehensive and collision coverage are worth the cost, comparing quotes with different coverage options can help. You can choose your coverage level on Luva and compare rates at that level of protection to find what fits both your vehicle and your budget.

In general, collision coverage costs more than comprehensive coverage because collision claims tend to happen more often and are usually more expensive to repair.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, drivers pay about $290 per year for collision coverage and about $134 per year for comprehensive coverage on average, although your premium will vary based on your individual circumstances.²

Several factors influence how much you'll pay for either coverage, including:

• Your vehicle's make, model, and value

• Where you live

• Your driving history and claims history

• Your deductible

• Your age and driving experience

• Your insurance company and available discounts

If you're looking to lower your premium, choosing a higher deductible can reduce the cost of both comprehensive and collision coverage. Just make sure you can comfortably afford the deductible if you need to file a claim.

Yes. Comprehensive and collision coverage each have their own deductible, and you can often choose a different deductible for each.

For example, you might select:

If your windshield is damaged by hail, you'll pay your comprehensive deductible. If you're involved in a collision a few months later, you'll pay your separate collision deductible. The deductibles don't carry over from one claim to another.

When choosing deductibles, consider both your monthly premium and your emergency savings.

A higher deductible generally lowers your premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. A lower deductible costs more each month but reduces what you'll pay after a covered loss.³

It depends on the type of claim and your insurance company.

A collision claim is generally more likely to increase your premium because it often involves an at-fault accident or a situation where the insurer determines you were responsible for the damage.

A comprehensive claim, such as damage from hail, theft, vandalism, or hitting a deer, is often considered outside your control. While comprehensive claims may have less impact on your rates than collision claims, insurers consider many factors when setting premiums, including your claims history, where you live, and the type and frequency of claims you've filed.

Every insurer evaluates risk differently, so there's no guarantee that filing a claim will or won't affect your premium. Comparing quotes through Luva can help you see how coverage choices may affect your premium.