Comprehensive coverage is part of your car’s insurance policy; it covers damages to your cars that do not involve a collision. It is optional and important, so you can simply add it to your car’s policy.
Comprehensive car coverage handles payments for car repairs or replacement if your car is stolen, vandalized, damaged in incidents (that’s not collision), or damaged by falling objects like trees or halls.
This insurance does not cover damages like damage to your car from a collision, damage to another person’s car from a collision, and medical expenses after an accident.
What’s Covered Under Comprehensive Auto Insurance?
Comprehensive coverage handles payment for damages that occur to your car as long as it does not involve collision.
This insurance option covers the following:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Natural disasters like tornado
- A civil disturbance like riots
- Falling objects like trees and halls
- Damage to your car by animals
- Damage to your windshield and glass
When Do You Purchase Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive coverage is an optional part of your car’s insurance policy, so when do you need comprehensive insurance?
You might be required to purchase comprehensive insurance if your car was gotten through a loan or lease. Most leasing companies or loaners will ensure your car is fully insured as long as you still owe them. You can also add this comprehensive coverage to your car has a lot of value to you.
Comprehensive Coverage Deductibles and Limits
Comprehensive coverage has its own deductibles and limits, so you have to aware of this in case your car is damaged or stolen, and you need to get your claim.
There is a limited amount of money car insurance companies get to pay for car damages; some amount of money will have to come from your own pocket. For example, if you choose a deductible of $700 and your car has damages worth up to $1700, you get to pay the $700 while the insurance company pays for $1000.
The amount an insurance company pays as a claim is the comprehensive coverage limit, and this limit is the actual cash value of your car.
So, when your car is damaged or stolen, and you want to replace or repair it, some amount of money for repairs and replacement will have to come from your own pocket. The insurance policy basically pays you back for the depreciated value of your car after damages or losses.
You can choose to go for higher deductibles to reduce insurance costs because the higher your deductibles, the lower your insurance costs. You need to understand all about your deductibles and ensure you can afford the cost of paying your deductible.
Why Should You Buy Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage helps to pay for damages to your car that do not involve collision. So, if you are confused about purchasing it, the following will help you make up your mind:
- If you purchased your car on loan or leasing your car, the car lender will require you to get this insurance coverage. So, you just have to buy this insurance coverage to handle damages to the car until your debt is paid off.
- Can you really afford to handle payments for car repairs and replacement all alone? Suppose you cannot handle paying for damages to your car due to theft, natural disaster, vandalism, etc. In that case, you need to purchase this coverage to help cover for overall damages to your car except for collision.
Should you buy comprehensive insurance coverage for an old car?
Many people believe that since their cars are old, they are most likely not stolen. But there are other risks or damages to your old car that would still need comprehensive insurance.
Damages to your windshield and glass, damages that occur due to fire, natural disaster, or falling objects are likely to happen to your car. This coverage for the damages are right under comprehensive coverage.
You may find it hard to handle the costs of repairs to your car when such damages occur, then you would need insurance coverage to help you out. Despite the age of a car is still likely to fall into risks and damages you cannot handle alone; if your car is of value to you, you need to buy comprehensive coverage insurance.
What about Comprehensive Car Coverage and Glass Claims?
Payment for replacement or repair of broken car glasses and windshield is an important coverage option under comprehensive coverage.
Some insurance companies may waive paying deductibles for you if the cost of repair is low.
Comprehensive coverage claims cover costs of damages to your car that do not involve collision.
So if your car is stolen, vandalized, damaged by fire, or natural disaster, you don’t have to worry because your insurance company will help you handle the costs. But you have to understand the implications of deductibles and know how much you get to pay from your own pocket when there’s damage to your car.