Collision vs. comprehensive: who pays for what
They both fix your car, but for different events. Quick rules to tell them apart.
Collision and comprehensive are the two "physical damage" coverages that pay to repair or replace your own vehicle. Each has its own deductible.
Collision
Pays for damage to your car from hitting another vehicle or object, or from a rollover, regardless of fault. If another driver is at fault, their liability coverage may pay instead, but collision lets you use your own policy and have your insurer pursue the other driver.
Comprehensive
Pays for damage from events other than a collision: theft, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, falling objects and hitting an animal. Glass damage is usually under comprehensive too.
| Event | Coverage |
|---|---|
| You back into a pole | Collision |
| A deer runs into your car | Comprehensive |
| Hail dents your hood | Comprehensive |
| You slide into a ditch | Collision |
| Your car is stolen | Comprehensive |
How payouts work
Both pay up to the car's actual cash value, minus your deductible. They do not pay off a loan balance that exceeds that value; that is what gap coverage is for.
This guide is general information from AutoRateNow, not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage rules vary by state and insurer.