Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive insurance helps to pay if your vehicle is damaged or stolen.

Kimberly Olson
September 27, 2021

While collision insurance coverage protects you from expensive repairs to your car caused by an accident with an object or another vehicle, comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy can help pay for damage caused by incidents beyond your control, other than car accidents.

What is comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive coverage helps with paying to replace or repair your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged in an incident that’s not a collision. If a rock cracks your windshield, comprehensive insurance may cover the cost of that repair. Comprehensive coverage can also help pay for damages caused by a fallen tree branch or similar incidents.

What does comprehensive insurance cover?

Comprehensive insurance typically covers damage to your vehicle caused by:

• Natural disasters like earthquakes, hail storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions.

• Fire, even if by a car defect.

• Explosions.

• Fallen objects such as ice or tree branches.

• Animal damage, whether you hit a deer or a hungry critter chewed your wiring.

• Theft of car parts or the entire vehicle.

• Riots, civil disturbance, and vandalism.

• Windshield, door glass, and sunroof damage.

What isn’t covered by comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance does not cover:

• Damage caused by a car collision.

• Medical expenses if you or others were injured during the incident.

• Legal expenses if someone was injured and takes you to court.

• The cost of a rental while your car is in the shop.

• Towing expenses.

• Personal items that were stolen from your car.

How does comprehensive insurance compare to collision insurance?

Comprehensive and collision insurance are often sold together as part of your insurance policy’s core coverage. As a package, they offer protection from a range of predicaments.

When you have a car accident, collision coverage helps with the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers car damage from incidents other than collisions, such as vandalism, theft, and flooding.

Is comprehensive insurance required?

Comprehensive insurance isn’t a requirement anywhere in the United States. But if you’ve taken out a loan or have leased your car, your lender may require it.

Do I need comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive coverage can provide a financial safety net for you, and is especially important if your car is exposed to risks. If you live in an area that’s prone to violent storms, park in an area where there are a lot of car thefts, or drive on dark country roads where you’re more likely to hit a deer, comprehensive insurance will be more beneficial for you.

Your vehicle’s value is also a consideration. If you wouldn’t want to pay for costly repairs or for a replacement car out of pocket, comprehensive insurance is a smart move—and, according to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of comprehensive coverage is just over $134 per year, or about $11 per month.

Comprehensive coverage allows you to drive without worry, and you can expect great rates, coverage, and service with AAA. If you run into trouble, AAA will quickly initiate your claim and, if needed, dispatch roadside assistance to tow your vehicle.

More Car Insurance Definitions

The availability, qualifications, and amounts of coverages, costs and discounts may vary from state to state and there may be coverages and discounts not listed here. In addition, other terms, conditions, and exclusions not described above may apply, and total savings may vary depending on the coverages purchased. For more information regarding your eligibility for certain coverages and savings opportunities, please contact your AAA agent.

Insurance products in California offered by AAA Northern California Insurance Agency, License #0175868, in Nevada by AAA Nevada and in Utah by AAA Utah. Insurance provided by CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA insurer.