Compare Comprehensive Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2024]

When you think of car insurance, the first thing that probably comes to mind is help after an accident. While liability car insurance and collision car insurance are essential parts of your policy, there’s another type of coverage equally as valuable. 

Comprehensive insurance protects your car from the unexpected, and it’s more valuable than ever. With stronger storms, more frequent wildfires, and car theft rates on the rise across the country, comprehensive insurance can give you the peace of mind that your vehicle is always safe. If you want car insurance after a natural disaster, you need comprehensive insurance.

Read on to learn more about comprehensive insurance, how much it costs, and if it’s right for you. Then, compare quotes with as many companies as possible to find the best policy for your needs.

What is comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive coverage is a type of insurance that protects your car from unexpected events. While there are limits to what comprehensive car insurance covers, it pays for damage done to your vehicle outside of an accident.

For example, your comprehensive insurance covers your car if a tree branch falls on it during a windstorm. It also helps restore your vehicle if someone vandalizes it with spray paint or if a thief smashes a window to get inside.

Although comprehensive is valuable, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Comprehensive insurance is usually only required for people with a car loan or lease — otherwise, it’s optional coverage.

Generally speaking, comprehensive auto insurance is a good idea if you have a new or valuable car. However, if your comprehensive car insurance deductible is close to the depreciated value of your vehicle, you can probably skip the coverage.

Read More: What does a $500 car insurance deductible mean?

What does comprehensive insurance cover?

Consider comprehensive coverage as something that protects your car from bad luck. Comprehensive insurance covers unexpected events like

• Fire and explosions
• Falling objects
• Weather, including hail, tornadoes, and hurricanes
• Floods
• Animal contact, such as hitting a deer or mice chewing on your wires
• Theft, including damage to your car during a break-in
• Earthquakes
• Vandalism and riots

Depending on your state, comprehensive insurance might cover broken windshield car insurance or other glass without a deductible. Find out what states have full glass coverage. 

While comprehensive insurance generally covers everything listed above, you should always check with your company to see exactly what your policy covers.

What does comprehensive insurance not cover?

Comprehensive auto insurance covers a lot, but it doesn’t protect your car from everything. You’ll need a different type of insurance for the following types of damage.

• Damage you cause to other people’s property. If you cause an accident, you’ll need property damage liability insurance to pay for it. Most states require liability car insurance before you can drive.
• Injuries you cause to other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. Instead, you’ll need personal injury liability insurance.
• Damage to your car after an accident. Comprehensive insurance doesn’t pay for anything related to a car accident. You’ll need collision insurance coverage if you want help paying for your car repairs.
• Injuries you and your passengers sustain. Medical payments or personal injury protection insurance cover your medical expenses after a car accident.
• Someone without insurance hits you. While most states have insurance laws, not everyone follows them. You need uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect you against drivers with inadequate coverage.

Your comprehensive insurance will also have limits on the damage it normally covers. For example, most comprehensive policies don’t cover custom parts or equipment you add to your car. If you spend significant money modifying your car, you should consider custom parts and equipment insurance to ensure everything in your vehicle is covered.

Is comprehensive insurance full coverage?

You may hear comprehensive insurance and full coverage talked about at the same time, but they are not the same thing.

Full coverage refers to a suite of insurance products, one of which is comprehensive insurance. Other insurance typically included in full coverage are liability, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical payments or personal injury protection.

No state requires full coverage, but you’ll probably need it if you have a car loan or lease. Learn more about the best full coverage car insurance rates.

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How does your comprehensive deductible work?

Your car insurance deductible is the portion you pay for after an incident before your coverage kicks in. Most companies give you a choice in how much your deductible is, with the most common ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Your deductible works the same for comprehensive as for any other type of insurance. For example, suppose a tree falls onto your car after a heavy windstorm and does $2,000 worth of damage. Your comprehensive insurance would pay you $2,000 minus whatever your deductible is. If you choose a $500 deductible, your insurance will cover $1,500 in this situation.

A simple fix like a branch falling on your car is easy enough, but what happens if the damage is severe?

Insurance companies decide to total your car when the cost to repair it reaches a certain percentage of its value. Companies use different thresholds and have to follow state laws, but most decide to total a car when repair costs reach between 75 and 90% of its total value.

If your car’s total value is $10,000 and you need to make a comprehensive claim after it’s totaled, your insurance company will pay you $10,000 minus your deductible.

Choosing a higher deductible for car insurance is an excellent way to keep your rates low, but it comes with a financial risk. You’ll need to ensure you can cover whatever your deductible is in case something happens to your car.

How much does comprehensive insurance cost?

The good news for drivers interested in comprehensive auto insurance is that it’s relatively affordable. The average price for comprehensive coverage is only $14 a month. Some states see much higher rates, however. 

For example, Colorado has some of the most expensive comprehensive insurance rates due to weather risks and higher theft rates. Find out more about Colorado car insurance rates here.

To see how much comprehensive insurance costs the average driver in your state, check below.

Commercial Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider and State

Company	California	Florida	Georgia	Illinois	Michigan	New York	North Carolina	Ohio	Pennsylvania	Texas
	$199	$183	$165	$176	$406	$147	$169	$120	$148	$201
	$138	$188	$124	$114	$204	$137	$82	$62	$108	$176
	$167	$227	$149	$117	$335	$165	$99	$96	$131	$137
	$101	$89	$61	$47	$99	$78	$69	$59	$68	$105
	$216	$161	$263	$76	$424	$200	$82	$106	$219	$178
	$142	$103	$152	$93	$257	$164	$111	$114	$86	$154
	$132	$153	$115	$89	$152	$96	$32	$85	$148	$121
	$108	$99	$107	$64	$209	$137	$77	$70	$76	$90
	$122	$166	$110	$87	$183	$175	$99	$63	$75	$101
	$74	$47	$71	$62	$107	$85	$44	$41	$57	$62

Although comprehensive insurance is affordable, you usually can’t buy it alone. Most insurance companies require that you purchase collision insurance if you want comprehensive coverage. 

Comprehensive insurance is also a requirement for several types of insurance add-ons. For example, you usually can’t buy GAP insurance without having comprehensive coverage in your policy.

Is comprehensive insurance worth it?

Since comprehensive insurance is not required by any state, many drivers are tempted to skip it. People with a car loan or lease will likely need to buy it, though you can always check with your lender to make sure.

Comprehensive insurance is valuable for people with newer, valuable cars. Consider buying comprehensive if you live in any of the following areas:

• Areas with extreme weather risks, such as coastal areas in the southeast or places prone to tornadoes or wildfires
• Rural areas where wildlife frequently crosses streets or highways
• Cities with high theft or vandalism rates

Although comprehensive can save you money, there comes a time when it’s not worth the price. When your car’s value decreases past a certain point, comprehensive insurance won’t help repair your car. 

For example, if your comprehensive deductible is $1,000 and the value of your car is $1,000, there’s no point in keeping it in your policy. Keeping comprehensive insurance is probably a good idea until your car crosses that threshold, especially if you can’t afford to replace your vehicle if something happens to your current car.

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Finding Cheap Comprehensive Car Insurance Policies

How do you get a deal on this type of insurance policy? Having good credit and a clean driving record are two ways to ensure lower premiums.

If you have some small blemishes on your record, such as a speeding ticket, you can talk to your insurance provider about discounts for attending driving safety courses.

Even if your driving record is spotless, allowing others in your household with less-than-stellar records to drive your car can also raise your rates.

The type of car you drive may increase your insurance rates as well.

If you are in the market for a new car and are considering different options, you may want to contact an insurance agency to get some basic quotes of different models.

Case Studies: Finding Affordable Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Case Study 1: John’s Affordable Comprehensive Auto Insurance

John was looking for affordable comprehensive car insurance that would provide him with the coverage he needed without breaking the bank.

After comparing quotes from various insurance companies, he found a great deal with USAA. Their comprehensive coverage offered him peace of mind at a reasonable price, considering his clean driving record and good credit history.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Cost-Effective Comprehensive Coverage

Sarah wanted comprehensive car insurance that wouldn’t strain her budget. She conducted a thorough comparison of insurance providers and found that Geico offered the most cost-effective option for her.

With their comprehensive coverage, Sarah felt confident that her vehicle would be protected against non-collision events without paying excessive premiums.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Reliable Comprehensive Insurance

Mark understood the importance of comprehensive coverage for his car, especially considering the high risk of theft and vandalism in his area.

After researching different insurance companies, he discovered that State Farm provided the best comprehensive insurance policy for his needs. Their coverage included protection against a wide range of damages, giving Mark peace of mind on the road.

Find the Best Comprehensive Insurance Today

Comprehensive car insurance is generally an affordable addition to your policy that can save you thousands of dollars. While you’ll probably need it if you have a car loan or lease, it’s a good idea for anyone living in risky areas for theft, vandalism, animal contact, and extreme weather.

Most of the top car insurance companies sell comprehensive coverage, so you’ll need to research your options to find the perfect policy. If you need to buy a new policy, comparing quotes with multiple companies is the best way to find affordable prices.

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