What's the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision?
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car from non-collision events:
- Theft or vandalism
- Weather damage (hail, floods, hurricanes)
- Falling objects (tree branches, debris)
- Animal strikes (hitting a deer)
- Fire or explosions
- Civil disturbances or riots
Collision insurance covers damage to your car from collisions:
- Crashes with other vehicles
- Hitting stationary objects (guardrails, poles, trees)
- Single-vehicle accidents (running off the road)
- Rollovers
They're complementary coverages that work together to protect your vehicle. Neither covers mechanical breakdowns, wear-and-tear, or routine maintenance—that's not what car insurance is for.
For a deeper dive into how these coverages differ and work together, see our guide on comprehensive vs collision insurance.
Why Most Drivers Need Both
Comprehensive and collision address different risks. Without collision, you're unprotected against the most statistically likely type of claim.
Collision claims are more common. According to the Insurance Information Institute, collision claims happen more frequently than comprehensive claims. The average driver has a higher chance of being in a fender-bender than experiencing theft or hail damage.
Collision damage is expensive to repair. Modern vehicles have complex sensors, cameras, and safety systems. Even a minor crash can cost $3,000–$8,000 in repairs. Without collision coverage, you pay that entire amount yourself.
Lenders require both. If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will require both comprehensive and collision coverage. This protects their financial interest in the vehicle.
Both have deductibles. You'll pay a deductible out of pocket for either type of claim—typically $500 or $1,000. The deductibles are separate: if you hit a deer (comprehensive) and then later crash into a guardrail (collision), you'll pay two deductibles.
When You Might Skip Collision Coverage
There are legitimate scenarios where dropping collision makes financial sense:
Your car's value is low. If your car is worth $2,000 and collision coverage costs $500/year with a $1,000 deductible, the math doesn't work. You're paying 25% of the car's value annually for coverage that—in the event of a total loss—would only pay you $1,000 ($2,000 value minus $1,000 deductible).
Rule of thumb: Consider dropping collision when your car's value falls below 10x your annual collision premium plus deductible.
You have substantial savings. If you can afford to replace your vehicle out of pocket without financial hardship, collision becomes optional. This is situational—someone with $50,000 in emergency savings driving a $5,000 car has different risk tolerance than someone with $2,000 in savings driving a $20,000 car.
You own the vehicle outright. Without a loan or lease, you're free to choose your coverage. However, this doesn't mean you should automatically drop collision—it just means you have the option.
You drive very little. Lower mileage means less accident exposure. But remember: most accidents happen close to home on familiar roads, so even occasional drivers aren't immune.
The Cost of Going Without Collision
Here's what happens if you skip collision and have an accident:
At-fault accident: You pay 100% of repair costs. A moderate crash easily runs $5,000–$10,000. A total loss means you're buying another car entirely out of pocket.
Single-vehicle accident: You hit black ice and slide into a ditch. Collision would cover this; comprehensive doesn't. You're paying for towing, repairs, or replacement yourself.
Hit-and-run: Someone sideswiped your parked car and fled. Without collision coverage, you have no coverage for the damage. (Note: Uninsured motorist property damage might cover this in some states, but it's not universal.)
Not-at-fault accidents: Even if the other driver is at fault, their insurance should cover your repairs—but filing a claim through another carrier can take weeks. Collision coverage lets you get repairs started immediately through your own insurer, who then seeks reimbursement from the at-fault party.
What About Comprehensive Without Collision?
This is less common but possible. Comprehensive-only coverage makes limited sense in specific scenarios:
You store a classic car you don't drive. You want protection from theft, fire, or weather damage, but the car isn't driven on public roads, so collision risk is near zero.
You're required to maintain insurance during a license suspension. Some states mandate insurance even when you can't legally drive. Comprehensive-only coverage fulfills the requirement at lower cost.
You drive an extremely low-value vehicle and live in a high-theft area. Comprehensive costs less than collision in most cases. If your car is worth $1,500 but theft is a concern, comprehensive-only might make sense.
However, for daily-driven vehicles, having comprehensive without collision leaves you exposed to the most common type of claim. It's like having health insurance that covers cancer but not broken bones.
How Much Does Collision Cost Compared to Comprehensive?
Collision coverage typically costs 1.5–2x more than comprehensive coverage, because collision claims are more frequent and more expensive.
National averages (2025 data):
- Comprehensive: $150–$300/year average
- Collision: $350–$700/year average
Your actual costs depend on:
- Your vehicle's value (higher value = higher premium)
- Your deductible (lower deductible = higher premium)
- Your ZIP code (urban areas have higher collision rates)
- Your driving record (accidents and violations increase rates)
- Your credit score (in states where it's allowed)
You can reduce costs by increasing your deductible or qualifying for safe driver discounts. For more strategies, see our guide on how to lower car insurance.
Making the Decision for Your Car
Use this simple decision framework:
Keep both comprehensive and collision if:
- Your car is worth more than $5,000
- You have a loan or lease (lender requires both)
- You can't afford to replace your car out of pocket
- You drive regularly in traffic
Consider dropping collision if:
- Your car is worth less than $3,000
- Collision premium + deductible exceeds 50% of car's value
- You have significant emergency savings
- You're comfortable accepting total financial responsibility for crash repairs
Keep comprehensive even if you drop collision if:
- You live in an area with high theft rates
- Your region experiences frequent severe weather (hail, hurricanes)
- Your car is parked outside where it's exposed to the elements
- Comprehensive is inexpensive (often $100–$200/year)
Still unsure? Use our comparison tool to see exactly how much collision adds to your premium and decide if the protection is worth the cost.
Common Scenarios Explained
Scenario 1: You rear-end another car. Coverage: Collision covers damage to your car. Your liability coverage pays for the other driver's repairs and injuries.
Scenario 2: A tree branch falls on your parked car during a storm. Coverage: Comprehensive covers this.
Scenario 3: You swerve to avoid a deer and hit a guardrail. Coverage: Collision covers this. (If you hit the deer, it would be comprehensive.)
Scenario 4: Your car is stolen from your driveway. Coverage: Comprehensive covers this.
Scenario 5: You slide on ice and hit a concrete barrier. Coverage: Collision covers this.
For more on what different types of coverage handle, see our guide on what does car insurance cover.
What If I Already Dropped Collision?
You can add collision coverage back at any time by contacting your insurance company. You don't have to wait for renewal.
However, be aware:
- Coverage takes effect on the date you request it, not retroactively
- You can't file a claim for damage that occurred before coverage started
- Your premium will increase to reflect the added coverage
If your financial situation has changed or you've purchased a newer vehicle, adding collision back makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though it's rare. Most insurance companies offer them as a pair, but you can technically have collision without comprehensive. However, this leaves you unprotected against theft, vandalism, and weather damage while covering crashes—an unusual risk profile.
Collision is statistically more important for most drivers, since collision claims are more frequent and often more expensive. However, if you live in a high-theft area or region with severe weather, comprehensive becomes critical.
Yes. "Full coverage" is an informal term that typically means liability + comprehensive + collision. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on full coverage vs liability.
Most insurers allow this, though some prefer to offer them together. Contact your carrier to ask about your specific policy options.
If you caused the crash or hit an object, you get nothing—collision would have covered this. If the total loss was due to theft, fire, or weather, comprehensive would pay out.
Yes. Contact your insurance company to add collision at any time. Coverage begins on the date you request it, not retroactively.