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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 — also called collision insurance.
What is collision coverage?
Collision insurance covers damages to your car if:
- You’re involved in a collision with another vehicle
- You’re involved in a collision with a stationary object
- Your car is rolled or flipped
After any of these types of losses, you’ll probably get your car fixed or replaced. If you have collision coverage, you’ll be covered for most of the costs that come up.
What doesn’t collision insurance cover?
Collision coverage doesn’t cover costs for damage to other people’s property. You’ll need property damage liability insurance for that. It also doesn’t pay for others’ medical expenses — only bodily injury liability coverage will reimburse those expenses.
Any damage classified as “acts of God or nature” are also excluded from collision insurance. 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.
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How much does collision coverage cost?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, collision coverage typically costs around $290 a year. Your actual premium will vary based on a number of factors. Your age, driving record, the type of car you drive, where you live, gender and even your credit score can affect how much you pay. And even those factors vary by state.
Does collision coverage have a deductible?
As with most insurance types, collision coverage also comes with a deductible. You’ll choose how much you want your deductible to be when you’re buying insurance.
To decide what your deductible should be, weigh how much car repairs might cost against how much you’d want to pay out of your own pocket. Typically the higher you set your deductible, the lower your insurance premiums will be.
Stop sign setback
While cruising in his car, Isaac misses a stop sign and rams into another vehicle in the intersection.Both Isaac’s car and the other vehicle are in rough shape, so repairs are definitely in order. Isaac’s liability insurance will cover the costs for the other party. Meanwhile, Isaac’s collision insurance will help him with his costs — luckily so, as his bill comes out to $4,500. After Isaac pays his $500 deductible, his insurance covers the remaining $4,000.
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.
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Is collision coverage required?
If you’re still paying your car loan off or you’re leasing your ride, the lender will likely require you to have collision coverage. This is because it has a vested interest in the vehicle, and want to see it paid off or returned.
Currently no states legally require you to carry collision coverage. But if your car is worth more than you can comfortably replace, it may be a good idea to have collision coverage, even if you’re not obligated to keep it by a lender.
Bottom line
You can soften the blow of a steep repair bill by adding collision to your existing car insurance coverage. 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.
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