Comprehensive and collision coverage are often sold together, but they cover completely different types of damage to your vehicle. Understanding the difference can help you decide which coverage you need—and when you might be able to drop one to save money.
The Simple Difference
Here's the easiest way to remember the distinction:
- Collision coverage pays for damage when your car hits (or is hit by) another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from almost everything else—theft, vandalism, weather, fire, falling objects, and animal strikes.
Both are optional coverages that protect your vehicle. They're separate from liability insurance, which covers damage you cause to other people and their property.
What Is Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after it's damaged in an accident involving a collision—regardless of who's at fault.
What Collision Coverage Includes
- Car-to-car accidents: You hit another vehicle, or another vehicle hits you
- Single-vehicle accidents: You hit a guardrail, tree, pole, or other stationary object
- Rollovers: Your car flips or rolls over
- Hitting potholes: Damage from road hazards (subject to deductible)
What Collision Does NOT Cover
- Theft or vandalism
- Weather-related damage (hail, floods, falling trees)
- Fire or explosions
- Hitting an animal
- Damage to other people's vehicles (that's liability coverage)
Real-World Example
You're driving in the rain and lose control, sliding into a telephone pole. Collision coverage pays for the damage to your car (minus your deductible). Comprehensive would NOT cover this—it's a collision with an object.
What Is Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage (sometimes called "other than collision") pays for damage to your vehicle from non-collision events. Think of it as protection against "acts of nature" and theft.
What Comprehensive Coverage Includes
- Theft: Your car is stolen or vandalized
- Weather damage: Hail, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning
- Falling objects: Tree branches, rocks, debris, or other objects fall on your car
- Fire: Your vehicle catches fire or is damaged by fire
- Animal strikes: You hit a deer, moose, dog, or other animal
- Civil disturbances: Riots, vandalism, or civil unrest damage your vehicle
- Glass damage: Windshield cracks or breaks (some insurers waive the deductible for glass)
What Comprehensive Does NOT Cover
- Collisions with vehicles or objects
- Damage from potholes (that's collision)
- Mechanical breakdowns or wear and tear
- Damage to other people's property
Real-World Example
A severe hailstorm dents your car's hood and roof. Comprehensive coverage pays for the repairs (minus your deductible). Collision would NOT cover this—it's weather-related damage, not a collision.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Scenario | Collision | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| Hit another car | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hit a tree or pole | ✓ | ✗ |
| Car is stolen | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hail damage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hit a deer | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vandalism or riots | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fire damage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Windshield cracks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Rollover accident | ✓ | ✗ |
Do You Need Both?
Most people who carry collision also carry comprehensive—but that doesn't mean you need both. Here's how to decide:
You Should Have Both If:
- You're financing or leasing your vehicle. Lenders require both comprehensive and collision coverage to protect their investment.
- Your car is worth more than $3,000-$5,000. If your vehicle has significant value, the cost of coverage is worth the protection.
- You couldn't afford to replace your car out of pocket. If paying for a new car would be a financial hardship, coverage is essential.
- You live in an area with high theft or weather risks. Urban areas with car theft or regions prone to hail, floods, or deer strikes benefit from comprehensive.
You Might Drop One or Both If:
- Your car is older or low-value. If your vehicle is worth less than 10 times your annual premium, coverage may not be cost-effective.
- You have significant savings. If you could comfortably buy a replacement car, self-insuring might make sense.
- Your deductible is close to your car's value. If you have a $1,000 deductible on a car worth $2,000, you'd only receive $1,000 from a claim—not worth the premium.
Rule of thumb: If your comprehensive and collision premiums exceed 10% of your car's value, consider dropping the coverage.
How Much Do These Coverages Cost?
Costs vary widely based on your location, vehicle, driving record, and deductible, but here are average ranges:
- Collision coverage: $300-$700 per year
- Comprehensive coverage: $150-$400 per year
Comprehensive is typically cheaper than collision because claims are less frequent and less expensive on average.
Factors That Affect Your Premium
- Vehicle value: More expensive cars cost more to insure
- Deductible amount: Higher deductibles lower your premium
- Location: Urban areas and regions with severe weather pay more
- Driving record: Accidents and violations increase rates
- Vehicle safety features: Anti-theft devices and safety tech can lower comprehensive costs
Understanding Deductibles
Both comprehensive and collision coverage require you to pay a deductible before insurance kicks in. You can typically choose deductibles ranging from $250 to $2,000.
Important note: You can set different deductibles for comprehensive and collision. Many people choose a higher deductible for collision (since accidents are more preventable) and a lower deductible for comprehensive (since theft and weather are less predictable).
When to File a Claim vs. Pay Out of Pocket
Just because you have coverage doesn't mean you should always file a claim. Consider:
- Small damages under your deductible: If repair costs are less than your deductible, pay out of pocket. Filing won't get you any money.
- Minor damages slightly above your deductible: If you'd only receive $200-$300 after your deductible, consider paying yourself. Filing a claim could raise your rates for years.
- Major damages: Total losses, expensive repairs (over $2,000), or theft should always be filed.
Can You Have One Without the Other?
Yes! Comprehensive and collision are completely separate coverages. You can have:
- Both comprehensive and collision (most common)
- Only comprehensive (protects against theft/weather but not accidents)
- Only collision (protects against accidents but not theft/weather)
- Neither (liability-only coverage)
However, most insurers recommend keeping both if you're keeping one, since the risks they cover are complementary.
Real-World Decision: Maria's Choice
Maria owns a 2015 Honda Accord worth about $8,000. Her annual premiums are:
- Collision: $450/year ($500 deductible)
- Comprehensive: $200/year ($250 deductible)
Maria's analysis:
- Total annual cost: $650 for both coverages
- This equals 8% of her car's value—borderline but still reasonable
- She has $5,000 in savings but couldn't comfortably replace the car
- She lives in an area with deer strikes and occasional hail
Maria's decision: She kept both coverages but raised her collision deductible to $1,000, saving $120/year. The comprehensive deductible stayed at $250 since weather and theft are unpredictable. Her new annual cost: $530.
The Bottom Line
Comprehensive and collision coverage serve different purposes, but together they provide complete protection for your vehicle. The decision to carry one, both, or neither depends on:
- Your vehicle's current market value
- Your financial ability to replace it
- Whether you're financing or leasing
- Your risk tolerance and driving environment
If you're unsure, start by getting quotes with different coverage combinations. Compare the premium savings against the potential out-of-pocket costs, and choose the option that gives you the best balance of protection and affordability.
Key Takeaways
- Collision covers damage from car accidents and hitting objects
- Comprehensive covers theft, weather, vandalism, fire, and animal strikes
- Both are optional unless you're financing or leasing
- Consider dropping coverage when premiums exceed 10% of vehicle value
- You can set different deductibles for each coverage type
- Always get quotes with multiple coverage combinations before deciding