Comprehensive auto insurance coverage
Protect your car (and wallet) from Mother Nature.
What does Comprehensive auto insurance cover?
Comprehensive auto insurance pays for covered damage to your vehicle caused by anything other than a motor vehicle accident, such as:
Theft and vandalism
If your car is stolen, broken into, or vandalized, Comprehensive helps pay for covered damage or replacement.
Hitting an animal
If you hit a deer or another animal while driving and damage your vehicle, Comprehensive helps pay for repairs.
Weather damage
If your vehicle is damaged due to inclement weather like hailstorms, flooding, or falling trees.
Fire and glass breakage
Unless caused by a collision, if a fire damages or destroys your vehicle, or if a rock cracks or chips your windshield, Comprehensive helps pay for repairs.
What does Comprehensive car insurance NOT cover?
While Comprehensive coverage helps you avoid having to pay for repairs or replacement when Mother Nature strikes, it’s important to know what Comprehensive car insurance won’t cover:
Damage due to an auto accident
If your car is damaged due to collisions with other vehicles, people, or objects, Comprehensive coverage doesn’t pay for damage. Collision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement after a covered accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
Intentional damage caused deliberately
Most times, comprehensive coverage doesn't cover damage you intentionally cause to your own vehicle. While vandalism by someone else is typically covered, deliberate damage caused by you is excluded.
Personal property in your car
Personal belongings inside your vehicle are not protected under Comprehensive coverage. If items like your laptop, phone, or wallet are stolen from your car, your renters or homeowners insurance may cover the loss.
Normal wear and tear on your vehicle
Expenses like worn tires, brake replacements, mechanical breakdowns, and general deterioration are your responsibility. Routine maintenance or vehicle damage from everyday use isn’t covered under Comprehensive coverage.
Do I need Comprehensive auto insurance coverage?
Unlike Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability insurance, which are required in most states, Comprehensive coverage is not.
However, if you finance or lease your vehicle, your lien holder (finance or leasing company) may require it.
When deciding whether or not to purchase Comprehensive insurance, ask yourself if you could afford to replace a stolen or totaled car.
If the answer is no, you may want to consider adding Comprehensive coverage.
How much does Comprehensive car insurance cost?
The amount you’ll pay for Comprehensive car insurance depends on the deductible you choose when purchasing your policy. A deductible is the amount you pay toward repairs or a replacement car before insurance kicks in. Generally, the lower your deductible, the higher your monthly insurance rate.
Higher deductible plans
If you would prefer to pay less each month, you could choose a higher deductible plan like $1,000. This means that while your monthly insurance rate may be lower, you would be responsible for a bigger chunk of a repair bill before Root begins paying.
Lower deductible plans
The lower your deductible, the higher your monthly insurance rate. So, if you want to pay just $100 toward a repair before Root starts paying, your monthly rate may be more.
Choosing Comprehensive car insurance coverage
It’s important to know that whatever deductible you choose, that dollar amount is per incident, not per year.
So each time a tree falls on your car, your deductible needs to be met again.
For example: If you choose a $1,000 deductible and you want to file an incident claim for $1,300 in hail damage, you would pay the $1,000 before Roots pays the balance of $300.
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage FAQs
Is Comprehensive Coverage required by law?
No, Comprehensive coverage isn't required by law in any state. However, if you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company will likely require it. Even if it's optional, Comprehensive helps protect you from paying out of pocket for covered damage caused by theft, vandalism, severe weather, and other non-collision events.
What's the difference between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage caused by events other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, hail, fire, and hitting an animal. Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from an accident involving another vehicle, person, or object, regardless of fault. Both coverages help protect your car, but they apply to different situations.
Does Comprehensive Coverage cover windshield repairs or glass damage?
Yes, Comprehensive coverage typically helps pay for windshield repairs or replacement when damage results from covered events, like flying rocks or falling objects. But comprehensive does not cover if that damage is a result of a collision. Your deductible may apply, although some states and policies offer different deductible rules for glass repairs or replacement.
Do I need to notify my lienholder if I switch car insurance companies?
If you finance or lease your vehicle, you should make sure your lienholder has your updated insurance information when switching companies. Most lenders require continuous Comprehensive and Collision coverage. When you switch to Root, confirm that your new policy meets your lender's requirements and that there are no gaps in coverage.
What happens if my car is totaled under Comprehensive Coverage?
If your car is declared a total loss after a covered event, like theft, flooding, or fire, Comprehensive coverage generally pays the lower of your vehicle's actual cash value (ACV) or the cost to replace the vehicle, minus your deductible. If you have an outstanding auto loan, the payment typically goes toward your remaining loan balance first. You may still owe money if your loan balance exceeds your car's value.
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