Understanding Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Wrecks are not the only accidents that might damage your car. Your vehicle sits outside most of the time. There are many hazards out there that could lead to costly damage and repair costs. Should someone or something besides a wreck damage your car, then you might want your car insurance policy to pay for the repairs. To have it do so, you will need comprehensive physical damage insurance. It’s imperative that you do what you can to protect your vehicle, but the fact of the matter is that you can’t avoid every potential risk. Consider how this coverage can be of benefit to you.

What does comprehensive coverage do?

Though it has the word comprehensive in the name, comprehensive physical damage insurance will not pay for every type of damage your vehicle might sustain. It will pay for a lot of types of damage, however.

To qualify to make a claim on this coverage:

• Your policy must include comprehensive coverage. This is optional coverage under most state car insurance laws. You will need to ask your Ten Eyck Group agent to include it on your policy. You cannot buy coverage after a wreck occurs and expect the policy to pay retroactively.

• Damage must come from a hazard not related to a collision. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car from things like severe weather, falling objects, fires, vandalism or theft. It will also pay when you hit an animal. It will not cover damage from single- or multi-vehicle accidents. To receive that coverage, you must have collision insurance.

• The damage must exceed your deductible value. Most policies include deductibles. The cost of damage must exceed the deductible value for you to qualify for an insurance settlement. So, if you have a claim worth $500, but you have a $1,000 comprehensive damage deductible, then your policy won’t pay. If you have $3,000 worth of damage, however, then you will pay the first, $1,000 and your insurer will pay the remaining $2,000.

Though your comprehensive damage coverage can pay for many types of damage, it will also exclude certain claims, too.

• Policies won't cover damage related to wear & tear, neglect or similar causes.

• If you do not list a vehicle on your policy, then comprehensive coverage will not apply to it.

• If you intentionally damage your vehicle, then your policy won’t cover the damage.

Additional perks for your policy might help you augment your comprehensive coverage. For example, consider buy roadside assistance, towing coverage and rental car reimbursement coverage. These coverage options can provide services that will help you with some of the costs associated with moving a damaged vehicle and getting a temporary replacement.