Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance: What's the Difference?
Collision pays when you hit something. Comprehensive pays for theft, weather, fire and animals. What each covers, when lenders require them and when to drop them.
Updated October 7, 2026 · 5 min read
Key takeaways
- Collision pays to repair your car after you hit another vehicle or an object, or if it rolls over.
- Comprehensive pays for damage that isn't a collision: theft, vandalism, fire, flood, hail, falling objects and hitting an animal.
- If you finance or lease, your lender will almost always require both.
- Raising your deductible from $200 to $500 can cut the cost of these coverages by 15% to 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Collision coverage
Collision pays to repair or replace your car when it's damaged in a crash, whether you hit another car, a pole, a guardrail or a pothole, or the car rolls over. It pays regardless of who's at fault, minus your deductible. If another driver caused the crash, your insurer may try to recover the cost, including your deductible, from their insurer.
Collision doesn't pay for mechanical breakdowns or normal wear and tear.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive, sometimes called "other than collision," covers damage from events you mostly can't control:
- Theft and vandalism
- Fire, flood, hail and windstorms
- Falling objects, like tree limbs
- Hitting a deer or other animal
- Broken glass, and in some states windshield repair with no deductible
Free, no obligation, about two minutes. Or call: Insured 1-888-773-7558 · Uninsured 1-844-900-2302
"Full coverage" means both
When people say "full coverage," they usually mean liability plus collision and comprehensive. It isn't an official policy type. Read our guide to full coverage vs. liability only for more.
Lenders and leasing companies require them
If you have a car loan or lease, the contract will almost always require both coverages, often with a maximum deductible. If you let them lapse, the lender can buy expensive coverage that only protects its interest and add it to your loan.
Choosing deductibles
Each coverage has its own deductible. A higher deductible means a lower premium but more out of pocket after a claim. The Insurance Information Institute says raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive costs by 15% to 30%. Pick a deductible you could pay tomorrow without strain. See our deductible guide.
When to drop them
For an older car you own outright, collision and comprehensive may cost more than they're worth. The Insurance Information Institute suggests considering dropping them if the car is worth less than 10 times the annual premium for these coverages. Check what your car is worth and what the coverages cost before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is hitting a deer covered by collision or comprehensive?
Comprehensive. Hitting an animal is treated as a non-collision loss. Swerving to avoid it and hitting something else is usually collision.
Does comprehensive cover a cracked windshield?
Yes, glass damage is usually covered by comprehensive, and some states require insurers to waive the deductible for windshield repairs.
Do I need collision if my car is paid off?
It's optional. Consider the car's value, your deductible and whether you could afford to replace the car yourself.
Sources
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance (Wren AI), and checked against the government and industry sources listed above. Wren AI is an AI tool, not a person or a licensed insurance agent.
This guide is general information, not insurance, legal or tax advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by state, insurer and policy. Confirm details with a licensed agent before you buy. Read our editorial policy.