Comprehensive Insurance: What It Is and Why You May Want It
Comprehensive insurance, also known as other-than-collision insurance, helps pay for damage to your car from events that are out of your control, such as fire, theft, hail, or a fallen tree branch.
6 examples of when you may need comprehensive coverage
- A powerful storm drops a large branch through your sunroof.
- A vandal breaks into your car by smashing the passenger window.
- A car kicks up a rock that cracks your windshield.
- A fire erupts in a building near where your car is parked, and your car is engulfed in flames.
- A deer slams into the hood of your car on the highway.
- A protest moves through your neighborhood, damaging your car.
If you lease or finance your car, your lender may require you to carry comprehensive coverage.
You may not need comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is more than a few years old. A good gauge is to calculate the actual cash value of your vehicle. If the cost of comprehensive coverage is more than 10% of the actual cash value, you may be spending more money to protect the vehicle than the vehicle is worth.
How much does it cost?
The cost of comprehensive coverage is based on a few factors, including the actual cash value of your vehicle, your deductible, and your location.
Comprehensive coverage insures losses that are not the result of driving a vehicle, so if you're looking for coverage for almost any situation, consider combining comprehensive and collision in your policy.