Compare Comprehensive Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2024]
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage from unexpected events like fire and theft, usually costing about $14 a month.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
UPDATED: May 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: May 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Comprehensive insurance covers damage from unexpected events, such as extreme weather, fire, floods, animal contact, theft, and vandalism
- It’s never required by state law, but most car loans and leases require comprehensive insurance
- Although it’s relatively cheap, comprehensive insurance might not be the best choice for you if you own an older, less valuable car
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.
Full Coverage Car Insurance Monthly Rates by State and Provider
State Allstate Geico Nationwide Progressive State Farm Travelers U.S. Average
Alabama $108 $89 $96 $112 $108 $79 $105
Alaska $135 $76 $108 $97 $65 $93 $103
Arizona $180 $65 $116 $84 $81 $104 $112
Arkansas $162 $91 $128 $131 $80 $111 $116
California $199 $101 $142 $132 $108 $122 $140
Colorado $166 $94 $107 $120 $94 $114 $115
Connecticut $196 $62 $112 $133 $91 $83 $123
Delaware $207 $101 $144 $90 $116 $82 $156
Florida $183 $89 $103 $153 $99 $166 $142
Georgia $165 $61 $152 $115 $107 $110 $132
Hawaii $118 $60 $84 $78 $64 $72 $83
Idaho $128 $57 $82 $91 $53 $57 $77
Illinois $176 $47 $93 $89 $64 $87 $92
Indiana $140 $63 $97 $69 $71 $69 $92
Iowa $126 $81 $73 $75 $65 $92 $86
Kansas $160 $75 $92 $127 $81 $87 $111
Kentucky $236 $80 $184 $111 $98 $139 $145
Louisiana $206 $141 $181 $161 $124 $156 $173
Maine $108 $37 $87 $94 $59 $61 $80
Maryland $201 $135 $106 $121 $107 $103 $129
Massachusetts $143 $72 $103 $95 $78 $88 $101
Michigan $406 $99 $257 $152 $209 $183 $238
Minnesota $160 $90 $87 $101 $67 $94 $124
Mississippi $147 $72 $96 $120 $82 $88 $105
Missouri $148 $90 $66 $98 $85 $114 $102
Montana $154 $82 $88 $171 $70 $111 $107
Nebraska $125 $92 $77 $95 $69 $102 $104
Nevada $165 $110 $112 $82 $103 $91 $114
New Hampshire $128 $50 $77 $63 $59 $69 $86
New Jersey $157 $74 $119 $93 $113 $136 $138
New Mexico $158 $90 $96 $86 $69 $91 $105
New York $147 $78 $164 $96 $137 $175 $138
North Carolina $169 $69 $111 $32 $77 $99 $86
North Dakota $136 $61 $77 $110 $76 $88 $124
Ohio $120 $59 $114 $85 $70 $63 $82
Oklahoma $135 $109 $122 $110 $91 $105 $118
Oregon $153 $93 $111 $78 $75 $97 $102
Pennsylvania $148 $68 $86 $148 $76 $75 $112
Rhode Island $189 $125 $190 $116 $76 $103 $143
South Carolina $133 $79 $118 $105 $88 $105 $117
South Dakota $136 $57 $76 $105 $67 $97 $109
Tennessee $144 $78 $118 $92 $72 $88 $102
Texas $201 $105 $154 $121 $90 $101 $133
Utah $117 $73 $93 $95 $103 $88 $96
Vermont $142 $38 $77 $181 $87 $75 $93
Virginia $103 $69 $86 $61 $63 $73 $81
Washington $114 $75 $70 $60 $69 $81 $80
Washington, D.C. $241 $69 $172 $115 $111 $102 $129
West Virginia $162 $83 $104 $110 $79 $102 $116
Wisconsin $123 $62 $226 $94 $58 $72 $94
Wyoming $155 $111 $114 $106 $82 $98 $104
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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Frequently Asked Questions
What is comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance protects your car from damage caused by unexpected events like fire, theft, storms, and vandalism.
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car outside of accidents, including events like fire, theft, vandalism, storms, and animal collisions.
What does comprehensive insurance not cover?
Comprehensive insurance does not cover damage caused by accidents or collisions with other vehicles. It also may not cover custom parts or equipment added to your car.
Is comprehensive insurance the same as full coverage?
No, comprehensive insurance is a part of full coverage, which includes other types of insurance like liability, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
How does the comprehensive deductible work?
Your deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. For comprehensive insurance, you choose a deductible amount, and the insurance company covers the rest of the damage costs.
What factors can affect the cost of comprehensive auto insurance?
Several factors can influence the cost of comprehensive auto insurance. These may include your driving record, the make and model of your vehicle, your location, the deductible amount you choose, your age, and your credit history. Each insurance provider may weigh these factors differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.
Can I find cheap comprehensive auto insurance?
While the cost of comprehensive auto insurance can vary depending on several factors, such as your driving history, location, and the value of your vehicle, it is possible to find affordable options. By comparing quotes from different insurance providers and taking advantage of available discounts, you can potentially find cheap comprehensive auto insurance that suits your needs and budget.
Are there any ways to lower the cost of comprehensive auto insurance?
Yes, there are several ways to potentially lower the cost of comprehensive auto insurance. Here are a few tips:
- Increase your deductible: Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium, but be sure you can afford to pay the deductible in case of a claim.
- Bundle your policies: Many insurance companies offer discounts if you combine your auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance.
- Install safety features: Some insurers provide discounts if your vehicle has safety features like anti-theft devices, alarm systems, or anti-lock brakes.
- Maintain a good driving record: A clean driving record with no accidents or traffic violations can help reduce your insurance premiums.
Are there any discounts available for comprehensive auto insurance?
Yes, many insurance providers offer various discounts that can help you save on comprehensive auto insurance. These may include:
- Multi-policy discount: If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company, such as auto and home insurance, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Good driver discount: Insurance companies often provide discounts to policyholders with a clean driving record and no recent claims.
- Safety feature discount: Installing safety features like anti-theft devices or anti-lock brakes can sometimes earn you a discount.
- Pay-in-full discount: Paying your premium in full instead of monthly installments can result in a discount.
- Good student discount: If you or a family member on your policy is a student with good grades, you may qualify for a discount.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.