Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance in 2025 (Coverage Types Explained)
Learn how collision vs. comprehensive auto insurance differs in coverage and cost. Collision insurance covers accident damage, while comprehensive coverage pays for theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. USAA and Geico have the cheapest comprehensive vs. collision insurance rates starting at $22 per month.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: May 3, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.
UPDATED: May 3, 2025
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right legal decisions.
We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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Knowing the distinction between collision vs. comprehensive auto insurance can save you money and ensure proper protection. Collision insurance covers incidents, like accidents with vehicles or objects, while comprehensive coverage applies to theft, vandalism, and natural disaster claims.
- Financed cars need both coverage, but only comprehensive gets anti-theft discounts
- Comprehensive insurance covers non-driving incidents, like fire and theft
- Collision covers rollovers and hitting fixed objects, no matter the fault
This guide breaks down the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage and compares average costs by provider. USAA offers the lowest rates at $33 monthly for collision and $22 a month for comprehensive auto insurance.
Plus, discover discount opportunities and determine which coverage suits your needs based on vehicle value and risk factors. Explore your auto insurance options by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool today.
Key Differences Between Comprehensive vs. Collision Auto Insurance
What is comprehensive insurance vs. collision? Both are optional coverages that protect your vehicle, but they apply to different situations. Collision versus comprehensive auto insurance is often misunderstood — many assume comprehensive means “full coverage,” but that’s not accurate. The key difference lies in the cause of damage.
Collision auto insurance helps pay for damage to your car if you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of fault. Comprehensive car insurance, on the other hand, covers non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, natural disasters, or animal collisions.
Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance: Coverage Differences Explained| Covered Event | Collision Insurance | Comprehensive Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hitting an object (tree, pole, guardrail) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Single-car rollover | ✓ | ✗ |
| Vandalism | ✗ | ✓ |
| Theft of the vehicle | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fire damage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Natural disasters (flood, hail, etc.) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animal collision (e.g., hitting a deer) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broken windshield (non-collision) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Damage from falling objects (e.g., tree branch) | ✗ | ✓ |
Do I need collision or comprehensive insurance? Use the table as a starting point, but dig deeper into it. Think about your lifestyle, risks, and car value.
Collision covers accidents with other cars or things that do not move. Comprehensive coverage protects you from theft, fire, or when animals or natural disasters damage your vehicle. Both coverages are optional, but are often required by lenders for financed cars.
Full coverage includes both comprehensive and collision coverage, along with minimum liability insurance. It's typically required if you’re financing or leasing a vehicle.
Scott Young Managing Editor
Understanding collision vs. comprehensive car coverage helps drivers choose the right protection. Choosing one over the other depends on how valuable your car is, where you drive, and the risks you encounter.
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Compare Collision vs. Comprehensive Insurance Costs
Looking at the coverage differences among major insurers, it’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for collision versus comprehensive car insurance. Premiums vary, but so do policy benefits and claims satisfaction.
Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Provider| Insurance Company | Collision | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
 | $42 | $26 |
 | $39 | $24 |
 | $36 | $23 |
 | $46 | $28 |
 | $41 | $25 |
 | $38 | $24 |
 | $40 | $26 |
 | $43 | $27 |
 | $44 | $28 |
 | $33 | $22 |
USAA is the most affordable company overall for comprehensive vs. collision insurance, but coverage is only available to military families. Geico and Progressive are the least expensive for coverage nationwide.
The difference between collision and comprehensive coverage often comes down to the cause of damage. Assessing what you need fills the holes in your coverage. It keeps your car insurance premium in check and helps you save money. It’s always best to compare auto insurance companies to ensure you’re getting both reliable coverage and fair pricing.
Collision vs. Comprehensive Insurance Discount Opportunities
When comparing discount opportunities, having comprehensive coverage may unlock more savings, especially for safe drivers or vehicles with anti-theft features. Collision coverage, on the other hand, may offer fewer discounts but can still qualify for savings, such as accident-free or bundling discounts.
Car Insurance Discounts From the Top Providers| Insurance Company | Good Driver | Multi-Vehicle | Bundling | Safe Driver | Good Student | Anti-Theft Device | New Car | Paperless | Pay-in-Full | Military | Defensive Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22% | 25% | 25% | 40% | 25% | 15% | 15% | 10% | 10% | X | 10% |
 | 22% | 25% | 29% | 30% | 25% | 15% | 10% | 10% | 8% | X | 10% |
 | 20% | 15% | 20% | 15% | 20% | 5% | 15% | 8% | 7% | X | 10% |
 | 22% | 25% | 25% | 40% | 15% | 25% | 15% | 10% | 10% | X | 10% |
| 20% | 25% | 20% | 30% | 10% | 23% | 10% | 5% | 8% | 15% | 10% |
| 10% | 20% | 20% | 40% | 15% | 5% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 5% |
 | 20% | 12% | 15% | 20% | 12% | 10% | 23% | 10% | 10% | X | 5% |
| 15% | 20% | 17% | 30% | 25% | 15% | 10% | 5% | 10% | X | 8% |
| 10% | 8% | 10% | 20% | 8% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | X | 8% |
 | 30% | 15% | 10% | 30% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 3% | 7% | 15% | 5% |
Is it better to have collision or comprehensive coverage? That depends on your vehicle and your risk exposure. Drivers searching for the cheapest car insurance should evaluate which coverage is essential based on their needs. Dropping unnecessary coverage can lower premiums, but only if the protection isn’t vital to their financial situation.
Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage Decisions
Understanding the difference between collision vs. comprehensive auto insurance is essential for protecting your vehicle and managing your budget effectively. Both coverages protect against different risks (Learn More: Liability Auto Insurance). Collision coverage applies to accidents involving vehicles or objects, while comprehensive coverage handles non-collision incidents, such as theft, vandalism, and acts of nature.
USAA offers the most affordable rates, starting at $33 monthly for collision coverage and $22 a month for comprehensive coverage. Whether you need both depends on your vehicle’s value, driving environment, and financing situation. Get the best auto insurance rates possible by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what point is collision insurance not worth it?
At what point does collision insurance stop being beneficial for a consumer? Collision insurance becomes unnecessary when vehicle value drops below $4,000 or when annual premiums plus deductibles total more than 10% of the car’s actual cash value.
Should you have collision insurance on a 10-year-old car?
Consider dropping collision on a 10-year-old car if premiums exceed 10% of the car’s value annually. Many people get auto insurance right by evaluating coverage based on vehicle age and worth.
Is hitting a mailbox a comprehensive or collision insurance?
Hitting a mailbox is covered by collision insurance since it involves impacting a fixed object while operating your vehicle, regardless of who’s at fault.
Is a cracked windshield comprehensive or collision insurance?
A cracked windshield from non-collision events like falling objects or vandalism is covered by comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage applies only if the windshield cracks during an accident.
Is hitting a deer a comprehensive or collision insurance?
Hitting a deer is covered by comprehensive insurance as it’s considered an animal collision, not a driving accident. This applies to all wildlife encounters on the road.
What is a good collision auto insurance deductible?
A good collision deductible ranges from $500 to $1,000, balancing affordable premiums with manageable out-of-pocket costs. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums but more risk during claims.
Read More: How to File an Auto Insurance Claim & Win It Each Time
Do you really need fully comprehensive auto insurance?
Comprehensive insurance is essential if financing or leasing a vehicle, but it is optional for older cars worth less than $3,000 since repair costs may exceed the car’s value. Find your cheapest auto insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool.
Do you need uninsured motorist coverage if you have comprehensive insurance?
Yes, uninsured motorist coverage is necessary regardless of comprehensive insurance because it protects against injuries and damages from uninsured drivers, which comprehensive insurance doesn’t cover.
Do you need comprehensive insurance on a financed car?
Yes, comprehensive insurance is typically required by lenders when financing a car to protect their investment against theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and other non-collision damages.
When should you drop comprehensive coverage on your car?
Drop comprehensive coverage when your car’s value falls below $2,000-$3,000 or when premiums exceed the car’s worth, typically after 10-15 years of ownership.
Read More: Cheap Auto Insurance For Multiple Vehicles
Enter your zip code below to view companies that have cheap insurance rates.
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Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.