3 Benefits of Comprehensive Auto Insurance

As the name would suggest, comprehensive auto insurance is a relatively high-level form of coverage. It's one that will give drivers more protections both on and off the road. If you carry only certain types of coverage, then you may face limited scenarios when you can file a claim. Comprehensive coverage gives you more protection in more situations. We'll look at what this covers and why it may be beneficial for many drivers.  

Incidental Events  

If you have liability coverage only, then your insurance will pay for another driver's damages if you were at-fault for the accident. If you have only collision insurance, your carrier will also pay for the damages to your vehicle if you have an accident with another driver or object (e.g., mailbox, etc). But what about if your car gets stolen from your driveway? Or what if you total your car after hitting a deer? Comprehensive coverage insures against these and other things. It essentially covers you for vehicle damage that is not related to a collision. 

Weather Events  

From hail to floods, the weather can really do a number on your car, especially if you don't' always have a covered place in which to park it. Major events can ruin everything from the finish on the paint to the cloth interior to the engine.  

Comprehensive coverage can help you pay for such damage. It will also cover smoke and fire damage. And if you think you live somewhere where this is unlikely to happen, consider the fact that many of the car insurance claims filed for water damage are from low-risk areas. The unfortunate driver didn't expect to have a problem, so they forewent coverage, and received a nasty surprise later. 

More Peace of Mind  

Whether you're driving to a high-crime area for a few hours or you can't use your garage for the night, you shouldn't have to worry about how you'll replace your should something happen to it. Certain events are reasonably preventable, of course. But others, like an unpredictable deer crossing, don't always have a simple solution. Having comprehensive insurance can help you rest easy when plans change. You don't have to panic about your vehicle or whether you'll be able to file a claim for an event. 

There are a variety of ways that you can make driving safer that have nothing to do with comprehensive insurance. Better alarm systems, smarter parking strategies, and defensive driving can go a long way. But if you don't want to take chances, comprehensive auto insurance is often your best bet to ensure that you don't end up in a lose-lose situation.