When it comes to protecting your car, comprehensive car insurance is an essential coverage to consider. It provides coverage for your vehicle in case of theft, fire, vandalism, or other types of damage that are not caused by a collision with another car.
But what exactly does comprehensive car insurance cover? Let's take a closer look.
What is Comprehensive Car Insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance is coverage for automotive damage or a total loss that was not caused by a collision with another vehicle. This includes:
- Collisions with live animals
- Natural disasters
- Theft
- Fire
- Vandalism
Comprehensive Insurance Covers Animal Collisions
Contrary to popular belief, an animal collision is covered under comprehensive coverage for a car insurance policy. A small caveat on this coverage is that the animal needs to have been alive prior to the collision, otherwise it is considered an inanimate object and would not be covered.
If you are in a situation where only the glass in your vehicle is broken, usually caused by a collision with a bird of some sort, then comprehensive insurance will not cover the damages. That being said, a relatively inexpensive glass insurance policy can cover the cost of auto glass damages. This applies to side windows, windshields, back glass, and sun/moon roofs.
Comprehensive Coverage For Natural Disasters
Natural disasters, while uncommon in Alberta, can still occur. Comprehensive insurance covers most natural disasters that could cause damage to your vehicle. This includes:
- Earthquakes
- Flooding
- Tornadoes
- Wildfires
- Landslides
- Avalanches
- Sinkholes
- Hail storms
- Wind storms
If any of the following were to occur and your vehicle was damaged in the process, your comprehensive coverage will have you covered. Note that damage to auto glass is only covered under a glass insurance policy.
Comprehensive Coverage for Stolen Vehicles
If your vehicle was stolen, your comprehensive policy is what covers the cost of replacing your vehicle. Replacement costs of stolen vehicles are usually calculated by the average value of similar cars on the market and adjusted for the condition of the vehicle.
If you have personal property inside your vehicle at the time it was stolen, your auto insurance would not cover those lost items. Your property insurance would actually cover the replacement cost of the property stolen from your vehicle.
Comprehensive Coverage for Fire Damage
If your vehicle catches on fire, or is damaged by fire, your comprehensive coverage is what protects you.
Comprehensive would cover the cost of damages if your car were to catch fire. Car fires can occur from electrical system failures, fuel system leaks, exhaust failures, battery failures (electric vehicles), and a plethora of other unfortunate events.
If your home were in a housefire and your car was parked in the garage, your home insurance would not cover the damage to your vehicle. A comprehensive policy is what covers fire damage, your home/tenant insurance policy would not cover the damages. This also applies to other large scale items stored in your garage, this includes but is not limited to:
- Vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Campers
- ATV’s
Comprehensive coverage is available on many larger assets.
Comprehensive Insurance Covers Vandalism
If your car is vandalized, comprehensive covers the damages to the vehicle. This includes damage caused by:
- Adding substances to the fuel tank (the wrong fuel type, sugar, water, etc)
- Graffiti or painted vehicle
- Scratched or keyed vehicles
- Flipped vehicles (while it was parked)
- Smashed or dented body panels
- Broken headlights, taillights, and mirrors
It is important to note that damage to automotive glass and slashed tires are not covered under comprehensive insurance policies. Broken glass by vandalism can still be covered under an auto glass insurance policy.
What Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Not Cover?
While comprehensive insurance does cover a lot, it does have some limitations. Collisions with other vehicles or inanimate objects are not covered under a comprehensive insurance policy. This includes:
- Car accidents
- Hit and runs
- Collision with an already deceased animal
- Collision with an inanimate object (fallen tree, furniture, light post, mailbox, etc.)
- Damage to automotive glass
Choosing the Right Deductible
When selecting comprehensive car insurance, it's important to consider your deductible. The deductible is the amount you'll need to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles can mean lower monthly premiums, but it's important to choose a deductible that you can afford on short notice. Most clients choose a $1,000 deductible to keep their monthly or annual premiums lower.
Final Thoughts
Comprehensive car insurance is an important coverage to consider when protecting your vehicle. A car is often the first or second most valuable asset a person owns, maintaining comprehensive insurance on your automobile can help provide peace of mind.
If you want help with a comprehensive auto insurance policy, give the brokers at Armour Insurance a call today.
