[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/auto\/comprehensive-vs-collision\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/auto\/comprehensive-vs-collision\/","headline":"Comprehensive vs. Collision: What You Need To Know","name":"Comprehensive vs. Collision: What You Need To Know","description":"Car insurance is an important consideration for any driver, and it’s crucial to understand the different types of coverage available. Comprehensive vs. collision is something many people question. Which coverage do they need? Do they need one? Do they need both? And it’s understandable because these are two of the most common types of auto […]","datePublished":"2023-05-05","dateModified":"2023-05-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/author\/mark-romero\/#Person","name":"Mark Romero","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/author\/mark-romero\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Mark-Romero-150x150.png","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Mark-Romero-150x150.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Agile Rates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/dev.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/unnamed.png","url":"https:\/\/dev.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/unnamed.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/comprehensive-vs-collision.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/comprehensive-vs-collision.jpg","height":1068,"width":1600},"url":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/auto\/comprehensive-vs-collision\/","about":["Auto","Insurance Advice"],"wordCount":1087,"articleBody":"Car insurance is an important consideration for any driver, and it’s crucial to understand the different types of coverage available. Comprehensive vs. collision is something many people question. Which coverage do they need? Do they need one? Do they need both?And it’s understandable because these are two of the most common types of auto insurance. While both protect your vehicle, they differ in the events they cover and their associated costs.\u00a0Understanding the differences between comprehensive and collision insurance is essential to making informed decisions about your coverage. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of comprehensive and collision insurance, and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your unique situation.Comprehensive vs. collision: How do you decide?When people see “comprehensive vs. collision” they often think they have an either-or situation. But that’s not the case. You can carry comprehensive and collision coverage together. Or you can carry comprehensive coverage only. However, you can’t carry collision coverage without comprehensive. Read on to learn the difference between the two and the pros and cons of each.Comprehensive insuranceComprehensive insurance coverage is an optional type of auto insurance that covers damage to your vehicle caused by events that are out of your control. On average, comprehensive insurance coverage costs about $172 per year.\u00a0According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), people in California pay the least at around $97 per year, and South Dakota residents pay the most with an average of $348 per year.What it covers:Comprehensive insurance covers a wide range of events that can damage your vehicle, including:TheftVandalismFireNatural disasters (floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.)Falling objects (trees, rocks, etc.)Animal damage (hitting a deer or other animal)                                                PROS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Provides protection against a wide range of events that can damage your vehicle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Can be useful if you live in an area with a high risk of natural disasters or theft                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Typically has a lower deductible than collision coverage                                                                                                                                                                           CONS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Comprehensive coverage can be expensive, especially if you have a high-value vehicle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             It may not be necessary if you live in an area with a low risk of non-collision incidents                                                                                                                        Factors that affect your premiumsThe cost of comprehensive insurance depends on several factors, including your vehicle’s value, location, driving record, and deductible. Generally, the higher the value of your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for comprehensive coverage. Also, your premiums may be higher if you live in an area with a high risk of natural disasters or theft. Finally, choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums, but it also means you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.Collision insuranceCollision insurance covers damage to your vehicle in the event of a collision when you’re at fault or, regardless of fault, if you’re in a no-fault state. This type of insurance is designed to help you repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object, or if it overturns.According to the NAIC, the average annual cost of collision coverage in 2019 was $384. However, premiums vary a lot between states. South Dakota residents pay the least for collision coverage, with an average of $249 annually, while people in Washington D.C. pay the most, with average annual collision premiums of $540.What it coversCollision insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if you’re in an at-fault accident or any accident in a no-fault state. This includes:Accidents with other vehiclesCollisions with objects like trees or telephone polesRollover accidents                                                PROS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Provides protection for your vehicle in the event of a collision, regardless of fault                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Can be useful if you have a newer or more expensive vehicle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    May be required if you lease or finance your vehicle                                                                                                                                                                           CONS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Collision coverage can be expensive, especially if you have a high-value vehicle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             It may not be necessary if you have an older or less expensive vehicle                                                                                                                         Factors that affect your premiumsThe cost of collision insurance depends on several factors, including the value of your vehicle, location, driving record, and deductible. Generally, the higher the value of your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for collision coverage. Also, choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums, but it also means you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket if you need to file a claim.Is your loss covered by comprehensive or collision coverage?Wondering if a loss is covered by comprehensive or collision coverage? The table below tells you what type of coverage pays for each type of loss listed.Cause of DamageComprehensiveCollisionTheftCoveredNot CoveredFalling objectsCoveredNot CoveredFireCoveredNot CoveredNatural disasterCoveredNot CoveredAnimalsCoveredNot CoveredVandalismCoveredNot CoveredCollision with another vehicleNot CoveredCoveredCollision with a stationary objectNot CoveredCoveredSingle-car accidentNot CoveredCoveredFAQsDo I need to carry comprehensive coverage on an old car?The older your car, the less useful comprehensive coverage becomes. This is because insurers only pay claims up to the value of your car minus the deductible.\u00a0What does full-coverage car insurance cover?Full-coverage car insurance includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages. It also includes any other coverage that\u2019s mandatory in your state, such as PIP or medical payment coverage.Do I need to carry collision coverage on an old car?Collision coverage starts to become obsolete as your car ages. Your insurance company will only pay claims up to the value of the car minus the deductible. So paying for coverage you won\u2019t benefit from is not ideal. A good rule of thumb is to drop collision coverage once your deductible equals 10% of the vehicle\u2019s worth. So if you have a $500 deductible, you should consider removing collision coverage when your vehicle\u2019s worth drops below $5,000.Is it better to have comprehensive or collision coverage?If you can only afford comprehensive or collision coverage, you must choose comprehensive. You can\u2019t purchase collision coverage if you don\u2019t have comprehensive coverage. However, you can have comprehensive coverage without collision.Protect yourself with comprehensive and collision coverageWith comprehensive and collision coverage, you don\u2019t need to worry about a loss straining your finances. Use our online tool to find the best rates on full-coverage insurance today.Related content:Do You Need Supplemental Glass Coverage For Your Car?How Much Liability Car Insurance Do You Need?What Is Personal Injury Protection Coverage?Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement CostWhat Determines the Average Cost of Auto Insurance"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Advice","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Auto","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/\/auto\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Comprehensive vs. Collision: What You Need To Know","item":"https:\/\/www.agilerates.com\/advice\/auto\/comprehensive-vs-collision\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]