Collision covers damage to your own car from a collision with another car or an object, or from flipping over, and also from potholes. Comprehensive covers theft and damage from something other than a collision: fire, flood, vandalism, hail, falling objects or hitting an animal. Both are optional, each is usually sold with its own deductible, and a lender will likely require both if you finance or lease. These pages describe U.S. insurance in general terms; rules, required coverage and prices differ by state and insurer, so check your state insurance department and your policy. We give no rates, because none of the sources we read give current ones.
What is the difference?
| Collision | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Damage to your car from a collision with another vehicle or object (a tree, guardrail), a rollover, and potholes | Theft and damage from events such as fire, flood, vandalism, hail, falling rocks or trees, explosion, riot and contact with animals such as birds or deer |
| Glass | See comprehensive | Triple-I says comprehensive pays to repair a cracked or shattered windshield; some insurers offer glass cover with no deductible |
| Deductible | Usually a separate deductible | Usually a separate deductible |
| Not covered | Mechanical failure and normal wear and tear | Collisions with other cars or objects |
Collisions with deer are covered under comprehensive, not collision, says Triple-I. Even if you are at fault, collision reimburses repair costs minus the deductible.
Do you need both?
- If you lease or finance, Triple-I says the dealer or lender will likely require both.
- If you own an older car, Triple-I suggests dropping them may make sense if the car is worth less than 10 times the premium, but consider your finances.
- They pay market value, not what you paid. If you owe more than the car is worth, see gap insurance in auto insurance basics.
To lower the cost see choosing a deductible and nine ways to lower your car insurance cost.
Frequently asked questions
Does comprehensive cover collisions?
No. Triple-I says it covers damage from something other than a collision with another car or object.
Is hitting a deer collision or comprehensive?
Comprehensive, per Triple-I.
If my car is totaled, what do I get?
Triple-I says that if the repair cost exceeds the car’s value and you have collision or comprehensive, the insurer will pay the market value of the car or the policy limit, less the deductible if you are at fault.
Sources: Triple-I, “What is covered by a basic auto insurance policy?”, “Auto insurance basics” and “Auto insurance jargon buster” (iii.org, read 13 November 2026; no publication date shown).