Comprehensive vs. collision insurance: What's the difference?

What's the difference between comprehensive and collision?

Comprehensive vs. collision insurance: Key differences

Coverage type	What it covers	Required?	Typical deductible	Example
Comprehensive	Damage not caused by a crash	Optional (required for loans/leases)	$250–$1,000	Theft, hail damage, vandalism
Collision	Damage from a crash involving your car	Optional (required for loans/leases)	$250–$1,000	Accident with another car, hitting a pole

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Collision and comprehensive insurance both cover damage to your vehicle, but the difference comes down to what caused the damage.

Collision insurance applies when your car is involved in a crash, while comprehensive insurance covers non-collision events outside your control, such as theft, weather damage, or vandalism.

Collision insurance covers:

Accidents where you’re at fault, or no other insurance applies
Rollovers
Single-car accidents, such as hitting a pole or another object

Comprehensive insurance covers:

Theft
Vandalism
Weather-related damage, such as hail
Fire
Animal-related damage

When each applies

Use collision insurance when your car is damaged in a crash, whether it involves another vehicle or an object, and another driver’s insurance does not cover the damage.
Use comprehensive insurance when the damage is caused by something other than a collision, like theft or hail.

The table below lists a few examples of claims and the type of insurance that would apply to each.

Scenario	Coverage type
Hitting a boulder in the road	Collision
A boulder rolls into your parked car	Comprehensive
A tree limb falls onto your car	Comprehensive
Hitting a fallen tree in the road	Collision
Window smashed during a break-in	Comprehensive
Hit-and-run driver damages your car	Collision

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Read our methodology

NOTE: Your car insurance rate is more likely to increase due to a collision claim than a comprehensive claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing.. Collision claims are usually your fault, so your rate will likely rise. Typically, comprehensive claims are not at-fault incidents, so your rate may not increase much.

Comprehensive vs. collision insurance: How much does each cost?

On average, U.S. drivers pay:

$426 per year for comprehensive coverage
$1,009 per year for collision insurance

Collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible. typically costs more because accidents are more frequent and severe than non-collision events.

Cost comparison at a glance

Coverage	Average annual cost	Share of premium
Comprehensive	Lower - $426	Smaller portion
Collision	Higher - $1009	Larger portion

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What affects the cost of coverage?

Your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. depends on several factors, including:

Your vehicle’s value and repair costs
Where you live
Your driving record
Your credit score (in most states)
Your deductible amount

Expert tipThe lower the value of your car, the less comprehensive and collision insurance will generally cost. That's because an insurer would have to pay less for a total loss.

The chart below breaks down collision and comprehensive insurance costs by state.

State	Comprehensive	Collision	Combined
Alabama	$307	$867	$1,174
Alaska	$230	$1,047	$1,277
Arizona	$283	$803	$1,086
Arkansas	$606	$1,206	$1,812
California	$340	$1,639	$1,979
Colorado	$726	$1,107	$1,833
Connecticut	$264	$1,211	$1,475
Delaware	$283	$1,115	$1,398
Florida	$658	$786	$1,444
Georgia	$247	$879	$1,126
Hawaii	$175	$842	$1,017
Idaho	$229	$867	$1,096
Illinois	$394	$870	$1,264
Indiana	$330	$890	$1,220
Iowa	$782	$994	$1,776
Kansas	$604	$1,000	$1,604
Kentucky	$491	$934	$1,424
Louisiana	$556	$1,217	$1,773
Maine	$332	$930	$1,261
Maryland	$217	$738	$955
Massachusetts	$259	$1,210	$1,469
Michigan	$667	$1,613	$2,280
Minnesota	$562	$1,086	$1,648
Mississippi	$477	$885	$1,361
Missouri	$587	$843	$1,430
Montana	$661	$908	$1,569
Nebraska	$572	$864	$1,436
Nevada	$297	$1,032	$1,329
New Hampshire	$220	$813	$1,032
New Jersey	$252	$1,158	$1,410
New Mexico	$502	$1,045	$1,547
New York	$324	$711	$1,036
North Carolina	$383	$1,434	$1,818
North Dakota	$619	$1,138	$1,757
Ohio	$296	$831	$1,127
Oklahoma	$702	$1,181	$1,883
Oregon	$218	$766	$984
Pennsylvania	$390	$1,008	$1,398
Rhode Island	$316	$1,396	$1,711
South Carolina	$399	$759	$1,158
South Dakota	$1,213	$806	$2,019
Tennessee	$464	$920	$1,384
Texas	$569	$1,085	$1,654
Utah	$174	$859	$1,033
Vermont	$333	$848	$1,181
Virginia	$227	$792	$1,019
Washington	$225	$978	$1,203
Washington, D.C.	$524	$1,640	$2,164
West Virginia	$591	$1,027	$1,618
Wisconsin	$520	$1,034	$1,554
Wyoming	$591	$1,044	$1,635

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Read our methodology

Do both comprehensive and collision have a deductible?

Comprehensive and collision insurance both have a deductible. Most drivers choose the same deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim. amount for both, but it's possible to have different deductibles for each coverage. The deductible is the amount you will pay before insurance covers anything when you file a claim.

A higher deductible will mean lower insurance costs, and vice versa.

Expert tipBecause comprehensive car insurance costs less, it may be possible to carry a smaller deductible on that part of your coverage without much impact on your overall car insurance costs

What is comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance is a type of auto insurance that pays for your vehicle’s repairs after a loss that is not caused by an accident. It’s often referred to as “other than collision” coverage.

What does comprehensive insurance cover?

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, incidents that do not involve a crash. It generally applies to risks beyond your control, such as theft, weather-related damage, or vandalism.

Here are some types of losses that are covered by comprehensive insurance:

Minor windshield damage
Damage caused by falling or airborne objects like hail, rocks or tree branches
Theft
Vandalism
Fire
Natural disasters
Civil disturbances
Striking an animal

When you file a comprehensive claim, the deductible will be subtracted from your payout. For example, if you had a $10,000 claim and a $1,000 deductible, you would receive $9,000 from your insurance company.

What's not covered by comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance does not cover damage caused by collisions. It also excludes intentional damage and personal or medical costs.

Examples of items not covered by comprehensive insurance include:

Vehicle repairs after an accident
Intentional damage
Medical bills
Your personal items in the vehicle

How much is comprehensive insurance?

The average cost of comprehensive car insurance coverage is $426 a year. Comprehensive coverage is cheaper than collision coverage because the associated risks are lower.

What is collision insurance?

Collision insurance pays for your vehicle’s repairs after an accident that you cause. It also covers single-vehicle crashes and rollovers.

You may also use your collision coverage to pay for repairs to your car, even if you aren’t at fault for the accident. You’ll have to pay your deductible, but you’ll be able to get your car repaired quickly, without waiting for the other driver’s insurance company to process a settlement. Your insurance company will then subrogate (seek reimbursement) from the other carrier and, if successful, refund your deductible.

What does collision insurance cover?

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by a crash involving another vehicle or an object, as well as single-vehicle accidents like rollovers. It applies whether or not you are at fault.

Here are some situations where collision insurance would come into play:

Hitting a tree or a telephone pole
Crashing into a building
Rolling or flipping your car
Hitting a pothole or curb
Backing into another car

Like comprehensive insurance, collision coverage also has a deductible.

If another driver is responsible for your car's damage, but you use your collision coverage to expedite repairs, and your carrier seeks reimbursement , you’ll still have to pay the deductible and wait for the settlement process to be completed.

How much is collision insurance?

The average collision insurance cost is $1,009 a year, significantly more than the cost of comprehensive coverage. Collisions are a greater risk for insurance companies than non-collision damage. As a result, collision costs more than comprehensive insurance and has a greater impact on your overall car insurance cost.

Do you need both comprehensive and collision coverage?

No, you are not legally required to carry comprehensive or collision insurance. If your car is financed or leased, your lender will typically require both coverages.

For most drivers, the decision comes down to your car’s value and your ability to pay for repairs out of pocket.

You should consider having both if:

Your car is newer or has a high market value
You rely on your car daily
You wouldn’t be able to afford major repair or replacement costs

You may not need both if:

Your car is older and worth less
The cost of coverage is high compared to the car’s value
You could comfortably pay for repairs or replace the vehicle

Rule of thumb: If your car’s value is less than about 3–5 times your deductible, it may not be worth carrying both coverages.

"One of the biggest mistakes people make is not having the coverage," Peyton says. "Because it's almost always the person who can't afford an unexpected expense who decides to try and save a little money by dropping coverage."

How to get cheap comprehensive and collision insurance

You can lower the cost of comprehensive and collision insurance by making simple changes to your coverage, vehicle choice, and driving profile. The most effective ways include raising your deductible, bundling policies, and comparing quotes from different insurers.

Ways to reduce costs include:

Raise your deductible
A higher deductible lowers your premium, but increases what you’ll pay out of pocket if you file a claim
Bundle your policies
Combining auto insurance with home or renters insurance can lead to significant discounts
Shop around and compare insurers
Rates can vary widely between companies, so it pays to get multiple quotes
Choose a car that’s less expensive to insure
Vehicles with lower repair costs and better safety ratings typically cost less to cover.
Improve your credit score
In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates
Drive less
Lower mileage can reduce your risk profile and may qualify you for discounts
Maintain a clean driving record
Avoiding accidents and violations helps keep your premiums low
Look for discounts
Many insurers offer savings for safe drivers, good students, and more
Pay your premium in full
Paying annually instead of monthly can earn you a discount with most insurers.
Sign up for usage-based insurance programs
These programs track driving habits and can reward safe driving with discounts
Drop coverage when it no longer makes sense
If your car’s value is low, keeping comprehensive and collision coverage may not be cost-effective

Peyton says that, by far, the best way to save on optional coverage for your car is to combine your auto and homeowners insurance. Other top discounts include savings for safe drivers and good students.

Comprehensive and collision claims: How to file, how it works

To file a comprehensive or collision claim, you must first document the damage and notify your insurance company. Your insurer will then review the claim, verify your coverage, and determine whether it falls under comprehensive or collision. After approval, you will receive a settlement minus your deductible.

The process typically includes:

After the loss, you’ll need to document the damage and notify your insurance company of the incident.
The claims adjuster will investigate the loss
They'll verify your coverage and determine whether collision or comprehensive applies
You’ll then be offered a settlement to cover the cost of your vehicle’s repairs (or purchase a new vehicle if your car was totaled).
The settlement will be issued minus your deductible.

In a total loss, your settlement will be based on the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle minus your deductible. Actual cash value is the depreciated value of your car; what it’s currently worth, not what you owe on it or what you paid for it.

When should you drop comprehensive or collision?

There’s no fixed rule, but at some point, the cost of coverage may outweigh the benefit. As your car loses value, it may make sense to drop one or both coverages.

Consider dropping coverage if:

Your car’s value is low compared to your deductible (if the potential payout would be small after the deductible)
Your premium is high relative to the payout (If you’re paying more than about 10% of the car’s value each year)
Repair costs are close to the car’s actual cash value (In a total loss, the insurer will only pay the car’s current value)
Your car is older (Vehicles typically lose enough value after 8–10 years that coverage becomes less useful)
You’re comfortable with the financial risk (If you can afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket)

For example, say your car is worth $3,000, and you have a $500 deductible. That means the most your insurer would pay after a total loss is $2,500.

If your combined comprehensive and collision premium is $250 per year or more, you’re paying over 10% of your potential payout annually. In that case, keeping the coverage may not be cost-effective.

A common guideline: if your premium is more than 10% of your potential payout, the coverage may not be worth it.

Expert tip Because these coverages tend to get cheaper as your car gets older, you can keep them at a lower cost, even on an older car.

Of course, if you still have a loan on your car, you will have to keep the coverage until it’s paid off.

Methodology

We partnered with Quadrant Information Services to field car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record

Learn more about our data and methodology.

FAQ: Comprehensive and collision insurance

How does liability insurance differ from comprehensive or collision insurance?

Liability insurance covers only damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. It doesn't cover any damage to your car in any circumstances. Comprehensive and collision cover damage to your vehicle.

Do I have to carry both comprehensive and collision insurance?

No, if you aren't required to by a loan. You can generally carry one or the other, but most people have both.

Is comprehensive insurance cheaper than collision?

Yes, comprehensive insurance is usually cheaper than collision because it covers less frequent risks like theft or weather damage, while collision covers accidents, which are more common and costly.

Do I need both comprehensive and collision insurance?

Not legally, but you may need both if your car is financed or leased. Many drivers choose to carry both to avoid paying out of pocket for major repairs.

Which is better, comprehensive or collision insurance?

Neither comprehensive nor collision is better, because they cover different situations. Collision covers accidents, while comprehensive covers non-collision events. Most drivers benefit from having both.

Does comprehensive insurance cover hitting an animal?

Yes. Damage from hitting an animal is typically covered under comprehensive insurance because it’s considered a non-collision event.

Does collision insurance cover pothole damage?

Yes. Damage caused by hitting a pothole is covered by collision insurance. You may also be able to file a claim with the city or county responsible for the road where the pothole is located.

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