What is Comprehensive and Collision Auto Insurance?

Governments have made it mandatory for all automobile drivers and owners to have at least the minimum of liability coverage. The limit, however, varies from each state. The two required by states are Bodily Injury (BI) and Property Damage (PD).

However, BI and PD insurances offer limited risk coverage i.e. BI pays only for damages to other people as a result of an accident committed by owner or any other covered driver. Similarly, Property Damage (PD) pays only for damagesto other people’s property due to an accident by the covered person.

On the other hand, at times, when one is held personally liable for damages over and above BI and PD limits, one needs to pay the remainder from their own pocket. In such cases, increasing costs of health and medical treatment and cost towards vehicle repair makes the situation worse. Therefore, consumer advisory and facilitation companies always advise that one should analyze risks and accordingly purchase additional option and should not necessarily rely on BI and PD liabilities simply for the sake of fulfilling a legal requirement. In addition to the minimal requirements, when obtaining auto insurance quotes there are two such additional options which should be taken into consideration; collision and comprehensive.

Collision Insurance:

In case of physical damage, collision covers the lower amount between the cost of repair of the automobile and its fair market value. It is normally sold alongwith deductible, which is the amount that one pays towards repairing of the automobile at the time of repairing, before the insurance provider pays towards the cost. In the case of collision insurance, the larger the deductibles, the lower the premium amount set.

Collision Insurance

Type of Collision Insurance

Covers for/Pay for

Broad Form collision

Damages regardless of fault, with a deductible, if the owner/driver is substantially at fault.   

Standard collision

Damages regardless of fault, with a deductible that always applies

Limited collision

Only if owner/driver is not substantially at fault, and may or may not have a deductible.

Comprehensive Insurance

Losses caused by the following are covered under comprehensive insurance:

• Missiles or falling objects;
• Fire;
• Theft or larceny;
• Explosive or earthquake;
• Windstorm;
• Hail, water or flood;
• Malicious mischief or vandalism;
• Riot or civil commotion;
• Contact with a bird or animal; or
• Breakage of glass.

The above given details of collision and comprehensive auto insurance are general concept on which these two policies work. Their actual feature varies from state to state and company to company.

Considers Following Factor for Appraising Risk and comparing Quotes

• Age and Gender
• Driving Record
• Location of residence
• Make/Model Year Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Principal Owner
• Principal operator
• Occasional operator
• Use of automobile
• Miles to work

Auto insurance consumers’ advisory and facilitation companies such as suggest that one should not purchase any policy without proper evaluation of their needs and it should be a careful and conscious effort. The best strategy is to calculate one’s risk and decide whether one need’s only the mandatory minimum coverage i.e. BI and PD liabilities or should go for additional coverages.