What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance is elective coverage that pays for noncollision damage
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Life is unpredictable. Your car might sit safely in the driveway today. Tomorrow, a fallen tree could crush it or thieves could target it. These moments often strike without warning — and without comprehensive car insurance, you’ll face hefty repair or replacement bills. Though the law doesn’t require vehicle owners to carry comprehensive car insurance, it’s worth considering in some circumstances.
Comprehensive car insurance covers costs associated with noncollision damage such as theft, storms and vandalism while excluding normal wear and mechanical issues.
Jump to insightThis coverage provides essential financial protection against expensive vehicle damage when disaster strikes.
Jump to insightAdding comprehensive coverage to your existing insurance is relatively inexpensive — about $100 per year — and you may reduce premiums through discounts and security features.
Jump to insightIf your car is worth over $5,000, comprehensive insurance offers protection against unforeseen events that could drain your savings.
Jump to insightWhat is covered under comprehensive insurance?
“Comprehensive [car insurance] covers damage from noncollision causes [such as natural disasters], falling objects and vandalism [minus your deductible],” explained Rob Bhatt, an insurance expert at LendingTree.
One common claim under comprehensive coverage involves windshield damage. Most policies cover glass repair or replacement, and some car insurance companies waive the deductible for these fixes. This coverage also protects against animal collisions.
However, Josh Damico, vice president of insurance operations at insurance comparison app Jerry, points out some key exclusions. “Comprehensive coverage doesn’t apply to custom equipment you’ve installed on your vehicle, such as a stereo or sound system,” he explained. The policy also won’t cover regular wear and tear, mechanical failures or routine maintenance.
Here’s a quick reference guide of what comprehensive insurance typically does and doesn’t cover.
What’s covered
- Collisions with animals (e.g., deer)
- Broken or cracked windshield
- Civil disobedience (e.g., riots)
- Falling objects (e.g., trees, rocks)
- Natural disaster damage (e.g., hail, fire, flood, tornado)
- Theft of vehicle or parts (e.g., catalytic converter)
- Vandalism
What’s not covered
- Custom aftermarket parts
- Damage from collisions with another car
- Mechanical failures
- Medical expenses for yourself, your passengers, and people in other cars
- Personal items stolen from car
- Regular maintenance
- Tire wear or damage from road conditions
Benefits of comprehensive car insurance
Areas with high crime rates or frequent natural disasters often see higher premiums.
“Comprehensive [car insurance protects] you from a big financial hit if your car is stolen or damaged by [unexpected] factors you can’t control,” emphasized Bhatt.
This coverage offers peace of mind when natural disasters strike. If a flood or fire destroys your parked vehicle, for example, comprehensive insurance will help replace it. Without this protection, you’d need to pay the full replacement cost out-of-pocket.
Many drivers find this security outweighs the cost. While some car owners might easily replace a $5,000 vehicle damaged by a fallen tree, Bhatt noted that “for others, the relatively small insurance check to replace a $3,000 car may be a huge help.”
How much is comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance costs less than you might expect. “It may add another $100 to your annual cost, which is less than $10 a month,” explains Bhatt. Several factors affect your premium, however:
- How often you drive
- Where you live
- Whether you have a car loan or lease
- Your age and gender
- Your car’s market value
- Your driving record
- Your vehicle’s year, make and model
“If you’re able to handle paying out of pocket [for unforeseen] damages, opting for a higher deductible could [reduce] your monthly premium,” Damico suggested. For example, you might select a $1,500 deductible instead of $500. This means if noncollision damage happens, you’ll pay $1,500 before insurance kicks in — but you’ll save money on insurance costs overall.
Beyond adjusting your deductible, try these seven strategies to bring down your comprehensive insurance costs:
- Ask about loyalty rewards: How long have you been with your insurer? Some companies offer discounts for long-term customers.
- Bundle policies: Could you combine auto coverage with home or renters insurance for a multi-policy discount?
- Compare providers: When did you last shop around? You could get the same coverage for different rates depending on the insurance company you go to.
- Improve vehicle security: Have you installed an anti-theft device or GPS tracking system? Many insurers offer discounts for these safety features.
- Keep a clean driving record: Have you maintained a history of safe driving? Many insurers reward accident-free customers.
- Maintain good credit: When did you last check your credit score? Better credit often leads to lower insurance rates.
- Park smart: Do you have access to garage parking? Moving your car off the street reduces its risk exposure.
» FULL COVERAGE: How much is car insurance?
Is comprehensive car insurance worth it?
Yes, comprehensive car insurance is often worth the investment for newer vehicles. The last thing you want is to walk outside and find your expensive car stolen or dented by hail with no financial backup plan. But before buying comprehensive car insurance, experts recommend considering these factors:
- Your car’s market value: Is your annual premium less than 10% of your car’s value? If your vehicle is worth $10,000, paying more than $1,000 per year in insurance might not be cost-effective.
- Your deductible amount: How much can you comfortably pay out of pocket if you need to file a claim? A $1,000 deductible lowers your premium but means more upfront costs when filing a claim.
- Your savings cushion: Could you afford to replace your car tomorrow if something happened? If so, you may opt out of this coverage.
- Your risk factors: How likely will your car face weather damage, theft or vandalism in your area? Check local crime statistics and weather patterns to assess your risk level.
Comprehensive coverage in action
Suppose you park your car at the airport for a week-long trip. You return to find your catalytic converter stolen. In this scenario, comprehensive coverage would pay the $2,500 replacement cost minus your deductible (say it’s $500), saving you $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.
FAQ
Is comprehensive car insurance mandatory?
Comprehensive car insurance isn’t mandatory in any state. But if you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to carry this coverage until you pay off the vehicle.
How does comprehensive insurance differ from collision insurance?
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from noncollision events such as theft, vandalism, weather and falling objects. Collision insurance, on the other hand, specifically covers damage that occurs when your car hits another vehicle or object.
Are there any discounts available for comprehensive car insurance?
Many insurance companies offer anti-theft discounts that apply to comprehensive coverage rates. Each company manages discounts differently. So, ask your insurer about comprehensive-specific discounts to get additional savings.
Is comprehensive car insurance worth it for older cars?
Comprehensive car insurance may not be worth it for older, nonluxury cars since it only reimburses up to the car’s actual cash value minus your deductible. Premium costs could exceed the payout from a claim if you have a car worth less than a few thousand dollars.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions, “Physical Damage Coverage.” Accessed Feb. 13, 2025.
- California Department of Insurance, “Introduction to Auto Insurance.” Access Feb. 13, 2025.
- Consumer Reports, “How to Save Big on Your Car Insurance.” Accessed Feb. 13, 2025.
- Insurance Information Institute, “What Determines the Price of an Auto Insurance Policy?” Accessed Feb. 13, 2025.
- Texas Department of Insurance, “Auto Insurance Guide.” Accessed Feb. 13, 2025.
