Comprehensive vs Collision Coverage: 7 Costly Mistakes Drivers Make
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Why Comprehensive vs Collision Coverage Matters
A rock flies off a truck on I-10 and cracks your windshield. Later, a coyote runs into the road. Then, an El Paso hailstorm dents your hood.
Which coverage pays for each type of damage?
Many drivers carry both comprehensive and collision coverage. However, they may not know which coverage applies until they have a claim.
That confusion can also create surprises because comprehensive and collision may have different deductibles.
Therefore, knowing the difference before something happens can help you understand your auto policy and your possible out-of-pocket cost.
What Is the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage generally applies when your vehicle collides with another vehicle or object, or when the vehicle overturns.
For example, rear-ending another vehicle, backing into a pole, hitting a pothole, or running off the road may involve collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage generally applies to covered physical damage from events other than a collision.
For example, theft, vandalism, hail, wind, flooding, fire, falling objects, and animal strikes may fall under comprehensive coverage.
Therefore, the cause of the damage helps determine which physical damage coverage may apply.
Coverage, deductibles, exclusions, glass benefits, and claim handling vary by insurer and policy.
7 Costly Comprehensive vs Collision Mistakes Drivers Make
Mistake #1 — Assuming Every Accident Is a Collision Claim
First, an incident can happen while you are driving without automatically becoming a collision claim.
For example, the BundleBee guide identifies hitting an animal as a comprehensive loss.
Therefore, hitting a coyote, deer, or stray dog can fall under comprehensive even though your vehicle was moving at the time.
This difference matters because your comprehensive deductible may be different from your collision deductible.
Mistake #2 — Thinking Hail Damage Is Collision
Next, weather damage generally does not fall under collision simply because it damages your vehicle.
The BundleBee guide lists hail, wind, and flooding under comprehensive coverage.
Therefore, if an El Paso hailstorm dents your hood or roof, your comprehensive coverage and deductible may apply.
The same general category includes certain covered wind and flood losses.
Mistake #3 — Assuming Windshield Damage Always Means Paying Out of Pocket
Flying rocks and road debris can quickly damage a windshield on El Paso highways.
The BundleBee guide places a rock that flies off another vehicle and cracks your windshield under comprehensive coverage.
In addition, some carriers may offer separate glass coverage or a lower or $0 glass deductible.
Therefore, check your policy before automatically paying for windshield damage yourself.
Mistake #4 — Setting Both Deductibles the Same Without Comparing Options
Comprehensive and collision are separate coverages. Therefore, they can also have separate deductibles.
However, many drivers choose the same deductible for both without comparing other options.
The BundleBee guide discusses an example strategy using a lower comprehensive deductible and a higher collision deductible.
For example, it shows comprehensive deductibles around $100–$250 and collision deductibles around $750–$1,000 as a possible pairing to evaluate.
Actual pricing varies. Therefore, compare the premium difference before changing either deductible.
Mistake #5 — Thinking a Pothole Claim Is Comprehensive
A pothole may feel like an unavoidable road hazard. However, the BundleBee guide classifies pothole damage as collision.
Your vehicle made contact with the road hazard. Therefore, the collision deductible may apply to covered vehicle damage.
The PDF also notes that tire damage by itself may receive different treatment because tires can be treated as wear items.
However, related rim or suspension damage may be handled differently depending on the claim and policy.
Mistake #6 — Assuming Liability Coverage Protects Your Own Car
Next, liability coverage is not the same as physical damage coverage for your own vehicle.
If you carry liability only, you may not have comprehensive or collision protection for your own car.
Therefore, theft, hail, an animal strike, or damage from hitting an object may leave you paying for your own vehicle damage when no applicable physical damage coverage is present.
This can be especially important for drivers of paid-off vehicles who removed comprehensive and collision to reduce their premium.
Mistake #7 — Never Reviewing Coverage as Your Vehicle Gets Older
Finally, the coverage choices that worked when your vehicle was new may not make the same financial sense years later.
As your vehicle loses value, compare its current value with the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage and the deductibles you carry.
For example, a very low collision deductible may provide less value on an older vehicle than it did when the vehicle was worth much more.
Therefore, review your physical damage coverage instead of leaving the same limits and deductibles in place indefinitely.
What Does Comprehensive Coverage Cover?
Comprehensive coverage generally addresses covered vehicle damage caused by events other than a collision.
According to the BundleBee guide, examples include the following situations.
Common Comprehensive Claims
Animal strikes: Hitting a deer, coyote, dog, or another animal.
Hail, wind, and flooding: Weather-related vehicle damage.
Windshield damage: A flying rock or similar road debris chips or cracks the glass.
Falling objects: A tree branch or another object falls onto the vehicle.
Fire: Covered fire or explosion damage.
Theft: Your vehicle is stolen.
Vandalism: Someone intentionally damages the vehicle.
Other covered events: The PDF also lists riot or civil disturbance damage and even falling objects such as space debris.
What Does Collision Coverage Cover?
Collision coverage generally applies when your vehicle collides with another vehicle or object or overturns.
Common Collision Claims
Vehicle accidents: Rear-ending another vehicle or being struck by another vehicle.
Objects: Hitting a wall, pole, fence, or similar object.
Parking accidents: Backing into an object in a parking lot.
Single-vehicle crashes: Running off the road into a ditch or rolling the vehicle.
Potholes: Covered vehicle damage after hitting a pothole.
Shopping carts: The BundleBee guide classifies a shopping cart impact as collision.
The Animal Strike Exception Drivers Should Know
Animal strikes can confuse drivers because the vehicle physically hits something.
However, the BundleBee guide places hitting a deer, coyote, or stray dog under comprehensive rather than collision.
That distinction can matter because your comprehensive and collision deductibles may be different.
For example, the PDF uses comprehensive deductible examples of $100–$250 compared with collision deductibles of $500–$1,000.
Therefore, understanding which coverage applies can change how much you pay out of pocket for a covered loss.
Comprehensive vs Collision: Real-World Examples
Page two of the BundleBee guide compares common and unusual situations to show which coverage may apply.
| Scenario | Coverage | Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Rock flies off a truck and cracks windshield | Comprehensive | Comprehensive / possible glass deductible |
| Coyote runs into your car | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| Hail dents hood and roof | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| You hit a large pothole | Collision | Collision deductible |
| Tree branch falls on parked car | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| Meteor or space debris damages car | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| You back into a pole | Collision | Collision deductible |
| Electrical fire starts in parked car | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| Shopping cart rolls into your car | Collision | Collision deductible |
| Flash flood fills your vehicle | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
| Someone sideswipes your parked car | Collision | Collision deductible or other applicable coverage |
| Vehicle is stolen | Comprehensive | Comprehensive deductible |
The Comprehensive and Collision Deductible Difference
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is assuming their physical damage deductibles must match.
They do not necessarily have to be the same.
The BundleBee guide points to hail, road debris, and windshield damage as comprehensive risks El Paso drivers may encounter.
Therefore, it suggests comparing the cost of a lower comprehensive deductible with a higher collision deductible.
Example Deductible Strategy to Compare
Comprehensive: $100–$250 deductible
Collision: $750–$1,000 deductible
The PDF presents this as a strategy to consider rather than a rule for every driver.
Therefore, have BundleBee compare the premium and out-of-pocket difference for your specific vehicle before changing deductibles.
What Happens If You Only Have Liability Coverage?
Liability coverage and physical damage coverage serve different purposes.
If your policy does not include comprehensive or collision, your own vehicle may have no coverage under those sections for the losses described above.
For example, liability-only coverage would not provide comprehensive protection for your own car simply because it was damaged by hail or stolen.
Likewise, it would not create collision coverage for your own vehicle after you hit a pole.
Therefore, drivers with paid-off vehicles should understand the financial exposure before removing comprehensive or collision coverage.
Should You Keep Comprehensive and Collision on an Older Car?
The BundleBee guide gives a general rule of thumb to help start the conversation.
It suggests comparing your vehicle’s value with the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage.
The PDF specifically mentions considering whether the vehicle is worth less than 10 times the annual premium for comprehensive and collision combined.
However, that calculation does not automatically tell every driver to drop coverage.
Your savings, ability to replace the vehicle, loan or lease requirements, deductible, vehicle value, and personal risk tolerance also matter.
Therefore, use the calculation as a review point rather than making the decision based on age alone.
5 Things to Confirm on Your Auto Policy Today
1. Check Your Comprehensive Deductible
First, find out exactly how much your comprehensive deductible is.
Many drivers do not know the number until a claim occurs.
Therefore, check it now and decide whether that out-of-pocket amount works for your budget.
2. Ask About Glass Coverage
Next, ask whether your carrier offers separate glass coverage or a special glass deductible.
Some policies or endorsements may offer a lower or $0 deductible for eligible windshield damage.
Therefore, this option may be worth comparing if windshield chips and cracks are a concern.
3. Confirm That You Actually Have Comprehensive Coverage
Do not assume comprehensive is automatically included.
If you previously removed it to lower your premium, make sure you understand which losses your vehicle no longer has protection against.
Therefore, review your declarations page rather than relying on memory.
4. Compare Your Collision Deductible With Your Vehicle Value
As your vehicle gets older, review the deductible and the current vehicle value.
For example, the PDF questions whether carrying a very low collision deductible makes financial sense on a vehicle worth around $6,000.
Therefore, periodically compare your premium, deductible, and vehicle value.
5. Ask About Rental Reimbursement Coverage
Finally, comprehensive or collision coverage does not automatically mean you have rental reimbursement.
If your vehicle is in the repair shop after a covered loss, rental reimbursement may help pay for a temporary replacement vehicle when the policy terms are met.
Therefore, check whether this optional coverage appears on your declarations page.
Is a Cracked Windshield Comprehensive or Collision?
The cause of the windshield damage matters.
In the BundleBee example, a rock flies off another truck on I-10 and cracks the windshield.
The guide classifies that event as comprehensive.
In addition, the PDF notes that some carriers offer separate glass benefits that may have a different deductible.
Therefore, check your glass coverage before deciding whether to file a claim or pay for the repair yourself.
Is Pothole Damage Comprehensive or Collision?
The BundleBee guide classifies pothole damage as collision because the vehicle makes contact with the road hazard.
Therefore, the collision deductible may apply to covered rim, suspension, or other vehicle damage.
However, the PDF notes that tire-only damage may receive different treatment.
As a result, the exact damage from the incident matters when the insurer reviews the claim.
What If Someone Hits Your Parked Car?
Being parked does not automatically make a claim comprehensive.
According to the BundleBee guide, a vehicle that is sideswiped while parked can still involve collision coverage because another vehicle collided with it.
However, other coverage may also be relevant depending on whether the other driver is identified and what insurance is available.
The PDF specifically mentions uninsured motorist property damage as another possible path in a hit-and-run situation when that coverage applies.
Therefore, report the circumstances accurately and review the available coverage before assuming which deductible applies.
Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover Flood Damage to a Car?
The BundleBee guide classifies flooding as a comprehensive loss.
Therefore, comprehensive coverage can be important when flash flooding damages a vehicle.
However, policy terms and the circumstances of the loss still matter.
The PDF also warns that intentionally driving into known standing water can create additional claim questions.
As a result, document what happened and provide accurate information when reporting the loss.
The BundleBee Takeaway
Comprehensive and collision protect your vehicle from different types of physical damage.
Comprehensive generally addresses covered events such as hail, theft, fire, flooding, falling objects, animal strikes, and certain windshield losses.
Meanwhile, collision generally applies when your vehicle hits another vehicle or object, is hit by another vehicle, or overturns.
However, knowing which coverage applies is only part of the picture.
You should also know your comprehensive deductible, collision deductible, glass options, and whether you have rental reimbursement.
Therefore, review these details before the next coyote, hailstorm, pothole, or flying rock tests your policy.
Free Auto Insurance Declarations Page Review
Not sure which deductibles you carry or whether you have comprehensive and collision coverage? Let BundleBee review your current declarations page and explain what is actually on your policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensive vs Collision Coverage
What Is the Main Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
Collision generally covers eligible physical damage involving a collision with another vehicle or object or an overturn.
Meanwhile, comprehensive generally covers eligible non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, hail, fire, flooding, falling objects, and animal strikes.
Is Hitting a Coyote Comprehensive or Collision?
The BundleBee guide classifies hitting an animal as comprehensive.
Therefore, an eligible coyote, deer, or similar animal-strike claim may use your comprehensive deductible.
Does Comprehensive Cover Hail Damage?
The PDF lists hail under comprehensive coverage.
Therefore, your comprehensive deductible may apply to a covered hail claim.
Is Windshield Damage Comprehensive?
In the PDF’s flying-rock example, the windshield claim falls under comprehensive.
However, some carriers may also offer separate glass coverage or different glass deductibles.
Is Hitting a Pothole Comprehensive or Collision?
The BundleBee guide classifies pothole damage as collision.
Therefore, the collision deductible may apply to covered vehicle damage caused by the impact.
Does Comprehensive Cover Theft?
The PDF lists vehicle theft under comprehensive coverage.
Therefore, drivers without comprehensive coverage may not have that physical damage protection for their own vehicle.
Does Comprehensive Cover Flood Damage?
The BundleBee guide lists flooding under comprehensive coverage.
However, coverage still depends on the policy terms and circumstances of the loss.
Does Liability Insurance Include Comprehensive and Collision?
No. Liability and physical damage coverage serve different purposes.
Therefore, carrying liability does not automatically mean your own vehicle has comprehensive and collision protection.
Can My Comprehensive and Collision Deductibles Be Different?
Yes, they can be separate amounts depending on the options offered by your insurer.
The BundleBee guide specifically recommends comparing different deductible combinations instead of automatically selecting the same amount for both.
Do I Need Comprehensive and Collision on a Paid-Off Car?
A paid-off vehicle may not have a lender requiring physical damage coverage. However, that does not mean the vehicle no longer faces theft, weather, animal-strike, or collision risks.
Therefore, compare the vehicle’s value, your premiums, your deductibles, and your ability to repair or replace the car before deciding whether to keep or remove coverage.
This article provides general insurance information only. It does not change, expand, or replace the terms of an insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, liability coverage, glass coverage, uninsured motorist property damage, rental reimbursement, deductibles, exclusions, vehicle valuation, eligibility, premiums, and claim decisions vary by insurer, policy, vehicle, loss, and circumstances. Deductible amounts and coverage examples shown are examples from the BundleBee guide and do not guarantee coverage or claim payment. Always review your declarations page, policy forms, endorsements, deductibles, and carrier requirements for your specific vehicle and loss.