What Is Comprehensive Insurance?
Unlike collision insurance, which generally covers accident-related damages, comprehensive insurance protects you against minor and major damages. Likewise, comprehensive insurance plans are not mandatory for car owners to have, except rental vehicles.
What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?
Although having comprehensive car insurance coverage is not mandatory, it is recommended to have it on top of your collision coverage. It is advisable to consider comprehensive coverage in case you have a loan or lease on your car. Moreover, most lenders might demand you to carry a comprehensive package on a vehicle that you haven’t paid off. Likewise, if the area you live in has a high incidence of car theft, vandalism, or severe seasonal weather conditions, getting comprehensive car insurance might be a smart thing to do. There are other damage reimbursements this coverage can provide. To be more specific, standard comprehensive insurance plans cover expenses related to:
- Natural disasters, including but are not limited to: earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods
- Fallen objects, including tree branches, rocks, or hail
- Collisions with animals, e.g., hitting a deer on the road
- Fire damage
- Riots or vandalism
- Broken windscreens or car windows
- Vehicle theft (also includes theft of certain vehicle parts)
How Much Is Comprehensive Insurance?
So, what about the price? The tricky part about comprehensive car insurance is that it is subject to a deductible that is usually retracted from an insurance claim check and can fluctuate anywhere between $500 to $1,500. On the bright side, however, if you have a good driving record, you are expected to pay around $168 a year for your comprehensive coverage. At the end of the day, it is for you to decide, is comprehensive insurance worth getting since minimum coverage laws in most states don’t require it.
