Compare collision coverage

Collision coverage pays for costs if your vehicle is damaged.

If you’re at fault in an accident, your liability insurance kicks in and pays for the other driver’s costs. For your own vehicle repairs, you’ll need collision coverage.

What does “at fault” mean? To be considered at fault means that you’ve caused an accident. In most states, being at fault means your insurer will pay for the car repairs, medical bills and related expenses that result from the incident.

What is collision coverage?

While driving, you could hit another vehicle or a stationary object. After, you’ll probably get your car fixed or replaced. If you have collision coverage, you’ll be covered for most of the costs you incur.

Collision coverage doesn’t cover costs for damage to other people’s property. You’ll need property damage liability coverage for that. It also doesn’t pay for others’ medical expenses — only bodily injury liability coverage will reimburse those expenses.

Furthermore, collision coverage usually won’t protect you against costs for damage that’s classified under “acts of God or nature.” This might include a tree hitting your car or an angry mob vandalizing your vehicle. You’ll most likely need comprehensive coverage to pay for those costs.

Does it come with a deductible?

Collision coverage comes with a deductible. You’ll choose how much you want your deductible to be when you’re buying insurance. To decide, weigh how much car repairs would cost against how much you’d want to pay out of your own pocket. The higher you set your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums will be.

Collision coverage in action

While cruising in your car, you miss a stop sign and ram into another vehicle in the intersection.

Both your car and the other vehicle are in rough shape, so repairs are definitely in order. Your liability insurance will cover the costs for the other party. Meanwhile, your collision insurance will help you with your costs — luckily so, as your bill comes out to $4,500. After you pay your $500 deductible, your insurance covers you for the rest of the $4,000.

Why should I buy collision coverage?

If you’re involved in an accident, your liability insurance will cover you for damage to someone else’s vehicle. However, you probably need to get your own car fixed too — which can be expensive if you’re paying out of your own pocket.

With collision coverage, you won’t be blindsided by a massive car repair bill. After you pay your deductible, your collision coverage will absorb the rest of the cost.

How much does collision coverage cost?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, collision coverage typically costs around $290 a year.

How do I buy collision coverage?

Your current insurer will offer collision coverage. Simply contact your car insurance provider and ask for more details.

Bottom line

It’s an excellent idea to add collision to your existing car insurance coverage. It will ensure that you don’t pay an arm and a leg for your car repair bill.

But don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price. You can find coverage that works for you by comparing providers using our insurance comparison tool.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I know if an insurance policy is mandatory?

  The best way is to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Most likely, your state requires all drivers to carry liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. (The exceptions are New Hampshire and Virginia, which have different rules.) Your state may also require you to buy personal injury protection or medical payments coverage.

• How do providers figure out how much to charge me for insurance?

  Insurance companies want to make a profit. They want to make sure you’re paying them more than they’re potentially paying out on your behalf. To do that, they’ll assess how risky you are to insure.

  Many factors go into determining your insurance premium. These include your age, your gender, your driving history, the car you drive and more. For example, teenagers tend to get into more accidents than drivers ages 25 or older, and some cars are safer to drive than others.

• How can I find out which insurer offers the best price?

  Shop around and get quotes from multiple insurers. With so many providers on the market, you’ll quickly find an attractive price. Make the search easier by using our insurance comparison table.