Comprehensive coverage, also known as comprehensive car insurance, is a type of auto insurance that provides protection for damage to your vehicle that occurs from incidents other than a collision with another vehicle or object. It is sometimes referred to as "other than collision" coverage. Comprehensive coverage typically includes protection against:
- Theft or attempted theft of the vehicle
- Vandalism or malicious damage
- Damage caused by natural events such as hail, floods, fire, earthquakes, and falling trees or objects
- Damage caused by animals, such as hitting a deer
- Glass damage like broken windshields not resulting from a collision
This type of coverage pays for repairs or replacement of your vehicle's damages that are outside your control, beyond collision-related accidents. It usually comes with a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. The maximum payout is generally based on the actual cash value of your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance is often optional, but if you are financing or leasing your car, lenders usually require you to have this coverage. It provides a higher level of protection compared to basic third-party or third-party fire and theft policies. In summary, comprehensive coverage offers peace of mind by covering a broad range of risks that can damage your vehicle but are not collisions, including theft, fire, natural disasters, and vandalism. It complements collision coverage, which covers damages from vehicle collisions.
