Comprehensive Vehicle Coverage: What It Covers and What It Doesn’t
You need to select the right type of insurance coverage which can make a major difference in both financial security and peace of mind. While liability insurance is the legal minimum in most states, many drivers choose to go beyond the basics by adding comprehensive vehicle coverage.
This form of insurance offers a broad range of protection against non-collision-related damages, but it also has its limits. In this article, we’ll talk about what comprehensive coverage includes and what it excludes.
What Does Comprehensive Coverage Include?
Comprehensive vehicle insurance, sometimes called “other than collision” coverage, is designed to protect your car from damage not caused by an accident with another vehicle. It covers a wide range of unexpected and often uncontrollable events.
This includes natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, and wildfires. If your car is damaged due to falling objects—like a tree limb or debris during a storm—comprehensive coverage will usually step in.
It also covers incidents of theft and vandalism. If your vehicle is stolen, or if someone breaks into your car and causes damage, such as smashing a window or slashing your seats, comprehensive will cover the repairs.
What Damage Is Not Covered by Comprehensive Coverage?
One of the most important limitations of having comprehensive vehicle coverage is to understand that it does not pay for damage due to normal wear and tear. Items such as tires, brakes, belts, and hoses fall under maintenance and are considered the owner’s responsibility.
If your brake pads wear out or your timing belt snaps, you won’t be able to file a comprehensive insurance claim to cover the costs. Similarly, windshield wipers, air filters, and other consumable car parts are not covered.
Mechanical failures and malfunctions are another major exclusion. If your transmission fails or your engine overheats due to internal issues, comprehensive coverage does not apply.
You’d need mechanical breakdown insurance or an extended warranty to cover such events.
Comprehensive Coverage vs. Collision Coverage
You may often confuse collision vs comprehensive auto coverage, especially since they’re often purchased together in a full coverage policy. However, they serve different purposes and apply in different scenarios.
Collision insurance covers damage to your car resulting from a crash, regardless of who is at fault. This includes accidents involving other vehicles, hitting a pole or fence, or rolling your car over. For example, if you swerve to avoid a pothole and hit a tree, collision coverage will pay for the repairs to your vehicle.
On the other hand, comprehensive insurance kicks in when the damage is caused by something other than a crash. If a tree falls on your car during a storm or a thief smashes your window and steals your stereo, comprehensive coverage applies.
What Is a Comprehensive Deductible?
A deductible is the amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. With comprehensive insurance, you select a deductible amount when purchasing your policy—commonly ranging from $250 to $1,000. Choosing a higher deductible usually results in lower monthly premiums, but it also means you’ll have to pay more upfront in the event of a claim.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible and hail damage causes $2,000 in repairs, your insurance company will pay $1,500, and you’ll pay the remaining $500. However, if the damage is only $400, you’d pay the full amount yourself because it doesn’t exceed the deductible.
Once you know about comprehensive vehicle coverage, what it covers and what it doesn’t, so are you interested to join vehicle insurance?
