Auto insurance can be a scary, dark, and mysterious world. A world full of multiple policies and vague terms that you might be embarrassed to admit you don’t really know what they mean. “Full coverage” is one of those terms that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? The truth is, there is no such thing as one “full coverage” policy. Rather, it is a combination of many different types of policies/coverages, including comprehensive insurance.
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE
Simply stated, a comprehensive policy helps cover damages that were NOT the result of an accident. Sometimes it is called the “other than collision” coverage, because it typically covers damage done to your car by anything “other than” a collision.
WHAT IS COVERED?
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Fire
- Weather / Natural Disasters
- Animals
- Riots
- Falling Objects
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
- Collisions
- Neither damage done to your car nor to another person’s car from a collision
- Medical Expenses
DEDUCTIBLES AND LIMITS
Usually, when you purchase comprehensive coverage you will select a deductible amount. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and will cost $3,000 to repair the damage to your car, then you will pay $1,000 and the comprehensive insurance will pay the remaining $2,000.
Comprehensive coverage also has a limit on what the policy will pay. This limit is usually the actual cash value of your vehicle.
COST
Like many other policies, the cost of comprehensive coverage will vary depending on your driving history, your car’s make/model/mileage, and the deductible you choose.
IS IT OPTIONAL?
If you own your vehicle outright, comprehensive coverage is usually an option, add-on policy. However, if you are financing or leasing your vehicle, it is likely that your lender will require you to have comprehensive coverage.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGES TO CONSIDER
Make sure your auto insurance policy does the most to protect you and your loved ones. These additional coverages, when added to your policy, can help offer a higher level of protection:
- State Required Liability or No-Fault Insurance Coverage: helps cover bodily injury and property damages to others in an accident that you caused
- Collision Coverage: helps pay for the damages to your vehicle
- Uninsured Motorist Protection: helps you cover costs if you get hit by a driver with no insurance
- Underinsured Motorist Protection: helps cover your costs if you get hit by a driver with insufficient insurance
- Medical Payments Coverage: helps cover your medical bills after an accident
- Rental Reimbursement: helps cover rental costs while your car is not functioning
- Emergency Road Service: helps cover the costs of towing and labor
- Gap Insurance: if your car is totaled, this can help cover the balance between what you may owe on the car and its cash value
If your car has been damaged by anything other than a collision, contact an experienced Car Accident Attorney Phoenix, AZ residents trusts from Kamper Estrada, LLP. We offer free, one-hour consultations to help you discover what your options may be.
