Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage (sometimes called "comprehensive car insurance" or "other than collision") typically pays for damages on covered costs that aren't caused by a collision.

It can be tempting to think of auto insurance as "accident insurance" or liability coverage. But the fact is that comprehensive insurance is also important, protecting you from things that can damage your car but aren't accident-related. And that's a pretty long list, things like:

• Storms and natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes
• Vandalism and theft
• Broken/shattered windows and windshield
• Animal damage
• Falling objects

Probably the most important thing to consider when choosing your deductible is your wallet. If you wake up one morning to find out that a giant tree limb crushed your car's roof, how much are you comfortable paying out of pocket? Fortunately, the range of deductibles you can choose is extremely wide—all the way from $0 to over $1000.

Remember that a higher comprehensive deductible will lower your overall premium, but those savings potentially come at a cost. Ask yourself how much you're able or willing to pay out of pocket, and adjust your comprehensive deductible to fit your "appetite for risk."

When thinking about your deductible, remember this: the maximum amount comprehensive coverage pays out is the actual cash value of your car at the time of damage. So if your car's cash value is close to your deductible (maybe it's pretty old or beat up), comprehensive coverage may not be right for you. Even if that giant tree limb totals your car, the amount the insurance company will pay (the car's actual cash value) won't be much.

Since vehicle damage is one of the most common insurance claims, comprehensive coverage is typically a key portion of your premium.

Knowledge is power. To gain the greatest control over your premium costs, focus on finding your deductible sweet spot, discussing your coverage options thoroughly with an agent, and aligning your comfort level for potential out-of-pocket expenses with your policy's actual premium. For help deciding what your limit should be, try Allstate's Bumper-to-Bumper Basics^® tool or get your no-obligation auto insurance quote now.

If you're already an Allstate customer with questions about your coverage levels, please contact your agent or call us at 1-800-ALLSTATE (1-800-255-7828).

Liability coverage protects you from damage you do to others or to property in an accident.

Collision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement to your car if you're in a covered accident that involves other vehicles or stationary objects.

Uninsured & underinsured coverage helps protect you if the covered accident was another driver's fault and the other driver has no auto insurance or not enough insurance to cover the expenses.

Medical payments coverage helps pay medical bills if you or your passengers are hurt in a covered accident. This option may also cover other members of your family when driving the insured car.

Personal injury protection (not available in some states) typically helps reimburse you for lost income, child care expenses, medical expenses, and other similar things if you're hurt in a covered accident.