What is Comprehensive Car Insurance?
- Also known as “other-than-collision” coverage—it protects against theft, vandalism, weather damage, and more.
- Comprehensive coverage increases premiums, but the added protection often justifies the cost.
- Claims may impact your rate, but comprehensive claims typically cause only a small premium increase.
Looking for comprehensive car insurance? Enter your ZIP code to compare quotes.
Comprehensive car insurance: Covers what collision doesn't
Comprehensive car insurance — also called “other-than-collision” coverage — protects your car from damage caused by anything but a crash. This includes damage from fire, theft, vandalism, animals, falling objects, and natural disasters. Basically, the unpredictable stuff that’s out of your control.
💡 When bundled with collision coverage, it’s often referred to as “full coverage.”
Comprehensive insurance
Covers claims related to:
- Flood damage and weather-related occurrences
- Damage caused by animals
- Collision with a deer or other animal
- Stolen car or vandalism
Collision insurance
Covers claims related to:
- A collision with another vehicle or vehicles
- A crash into a fixed object, such as a pole or a wall
Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance Coverage
What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance? Our insurance experts dive into the details of each.
How much is comprehensive car insurance?
Because comprehensive insurance protects against a wide range of non-collision events, it typically will increase your premium. In contrast, liability-only insurance meets state legal requirements and is the most affordable option, but it won’t cover damage to your own vehicle from any losses. Comprehensive coverage also includes a deductible, which you’ll need to pay out of pocket before your insurer covers the rest of a claim.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,395 |
| Auto Club | $1,206 |
| Farmers | $1,141 |
| State Farm | $1,123 |
| Nationwide | $1,077 |
| Progressive | $952 |
| GEICO | $831 |
| USAA | $757 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Generally, increasing your deductible reduces your overall insurance premium.[1] So, if you're willing to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, you can reduce your insurance costs.
However, deductible matters less in comprehensive insurance: Licensed agent Jordan Lazare says, "I’ve shown customers that we can lower their comprehensive deductible to as low as $0, and they’re often surprised at how little it affects their premium. However, not all companies offer it. For those that do, you can keep that $0 deductible throughout your policy term, not just for the initial term."
Find affordable comprehensive coverage today by comparing quotes.
Do I need comprehensive insurance?
This optional coverage is helpful in an accident, but comprehensive coverage comes at a price. Adding comprehensive (and collision insurance) will raise premiums significantly compared to what it costs to insure a car with liability-only. If you're not leasing or financing your vehicle, you have the choice to include comprehensive coverage or not. Let's weigh the options:
🔒 Required: Leased or Financed Vehicles: Lenders typically require full coverage to protect their investment.
💰 Recommended: Vehicle Worth Over $4,000— Check value with tools like Kelley Blue Book or NADA.
🔑 Recommended: Vehicles You Plan to Sell— Full coverage helps protect your investment in case the vehicle is totaled, and full coverage offers financial recourse if resale plans are derailed by damage.
🧍 Recommended: High-Risk or Teen Drivers— Young or high-risk drivers benefit from extra financial protection.
🌪️ Recommended: Elevated Natural Disaster Risk— Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute considers it wise to carry comprehensive coverage if you live in areas prone to natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires or severe winter weather.
"I feel like comprehensive and collision coverage often get lumped together, but comprehensive is usually much cheaper. It's definitely worth looking into how much it costs to add, especially for older vehicles. For example, I have a 2005 F-150 that I hardly drive since I work from home, but I still carry comprehensive because it barely affects my premium. The odds of it being vandalized or damaged while parked seem higher than getting into a collision, so I figured it was worth keeping."
Blake Trew, Licensed insurance agent and Sales Manager
How does a comprehensive claim affect insurance premiums?
Filing a claim can raise concerns about rate hikes, but insurers are generally more lenient with comprehensive claims, as they're typically beyond your control and don’t signal risky driving. The table below shows average premiums with comprehensive claims from top insurance companies.
↓ Compare the premium impact of comprehensive vs. collision claims
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | 1 comp claim | 2 comp claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,484 | $1,524 | $1,566 |
| American Family | $795 | $887 | $971 |
| American National | $688 | $704 | $708 |
| Farmers | $1,202 | $1,258 | $1,348 |
| GEICO | $949 | $963 | $981 |
| Nationwide | $1,070 | $1,070 | $1,077 |
| Progressive | $1,076 | $1,210 | $1,276 |
| State Farm | $1,178 | $1,178 | $1,178 |
| Travelers | $723 | $878 | $917 |
| USAA | $831 | $831 | $838 |
Source: The Zebra
While these companies provide the cheapest rates based on our base driving profile, your circumstances could differ. What you pay for car insurance will ultimately depend on you and your driving history.
How to file a car insurance claim
Filing a claim is usually straightforward. The Insurance Information Institute and most insurers recommend contacting your company immediately after a car accident—either by phone or via their mobile app.[1]
Call your insurer or use their mobile apps to report the incident and upload photos of the vehicle damage.
Share any requested forms, including a police report if available.
Check if your insurance policy covers rental cars or alternate transportation while your vehicle is in the shop. This may be part of your coverage—or an add-on worth considering.
Zebra Pro Tips for Filing a Claim
Call the police
Filling out a police report is a great way to document the facts of the accident.
File quickly
Stick to your insurer’s deadlines to avoid delays or denial.
Take photos
Photos and videos can help process a claim more efficiently.
Scenario: Tree Damage After a Storm — Should You File a Claim?
You head outside in the morning and find your car’s windshield shattered, a large tree branch resting on the hood. Overnight storms did a number, and now your car has serious damage.
🔎 Should you file a claim? Here's our criteria:
- Start with property damage.
→ Get a repair estimate from a trusted local mechanic. - Check how a claim could impact your rates.
→ Our data indicates that a comprehensive claim could raise premiums by 5% on average. - Do the math.
→ Compare your repair estimate to your deductible and your projected premium increase (spread over three years).
In most cases, a claim is worth filing. Comprehensive claims don't usually lead to major rate increases, but damage to your vehicle can add up quickly— filing a claim is often the most cost-effective choice.
How to find cheap comprehensive car insurance
If you meet the criteria above and want robust coverage, comprehensive insurance is a smart choice. While it can cost more, there are ways to make sure you’re getting the best value for what you need.
Decide how much coverage fits your needs; you can stick with your state's minimum liability limits (though these are often not enough to cover costs after an accident) or choose higher limits for added protection.
One of the best ways to save is to see if other auto insurance companies are offering lower rates. Insurance quotes are free and easy to find. The Zebra can provide you with a number of auto insurance quotes, allowing you to find a great policy with a premium that fits your budget.
Each insurer offers its own set of discounts, and you might qualify for more with one company than another. When comparing quotes, ask about available discounts—they can make a significant difference in your final premium.
Compare rates from top companies today.
Frequently asked questions— Comprehensive car insurance
What is covered by collision and comprehensive auto insurance? | Insurance Information Institute
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.