Both coverages also have a deductible that must be met before repairs can be performed. The main difference is that comprehensive coverage covers losses and damage to your car due to things other than accidents or collisions, while collision insurance covers damage caused by a collision while you're on the road. The collision insurance deductible is the amount of money a driver must pay out of pocket when filing a collision insurance claim. If your car is leased or financed, your lender or landlord will likely require you to take out comprehensive insurance and collision insurance together.
When purchased together with liability insurance, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance constitute total coverage, which protects you financially in the event that your car is unexpectedly damaged. Your phone, laptop, or other valuables should be listed on your homeowners or renters insurance policy, even if you often leave them in your car. While comprehensive coverage will apply if your vehicle is stolen, no type of car insurance will cover the theft of your personal items from your vehicle. Collision insurance helps pay for damage to your vehicle after you hit another car or object, while comprehensive insurance is a type of standalone coverage that protects your car from things like falling objects, theft and vandalism.
Even if your car isn't worth much, it's usually a good idea to have collision and comprehensive insurance if you're not financially able to cover expensive repairs on your own. In general, a car insurance deductible is a sum of money that you must pay before your insurance company covers the rest of your expenses. It's important to note that normal liability insurance doesn't cover theft because it only protects other drivers from bodily injury and property damage as a result of an accident that you cause. Comprehensive car insurance can help replace your car if it's stolen or repair damage caused by theft or acts of vandalism.
Likewise, even if your comprehensive premium is 15% of the value of your car, for example, comprehensive insurance could be worthwhile if you're dependent on the car and can't afford to replace it yourself. Collision coverage applies to damage caused by a car accident, while comprehensive insurance applies to damage caused by something other than a collision, such as vandalism or a natural disaster. The difference between full coverage and comprehensive insurance is that full coverage is an auto insurance policy that includes both comprehensive and collision insurance, along with the state's minimum requirements. Collision coverage repairs or replaces your car when it's damaged in an accident, regardless of fault, while comprehensive insurance applies when the car is damaged by something other than an accident.
In this example, the car in front of you brakes suddenly to avoid the deer, but you follow it too closely to stop in time and you hit the other car from behind.
