You might have heard of collision coverage as an optional form of coverage for your auto insurance policy. If this is the case, and you are looking for the most comprehensive insurance, for the best price, you are probably wondering what it covers, whether or not you need it, and how much it will cost if you choose to add it to your policy. These are a few factors as it pertains to collision auto insurance coverage for drivers who are considering this optional coverage.

1. What is collision coverage?

Collision coverage will pay for the damages to your vehicle in the event you are in an accident, where you hit another car or object (fence, mailbox, building, etc). It does not cover damage if your vehicle is hit (if a branch falls, or storm damage ensues), nor does it cover theft, burglary, or other forms of damage which aren't caused by an actual collision.

2. What does it cover?

To answer this question, we can start off by looking at what this form of coverage won't cover under your auto insurance premium. Your collision coverage won't protect from:

  • Storm damage or damage from falling items
  • Vandalism
  • Bodily damage or medical expenses won't be covered either (bodily damage, PIP, and medical coverage policies should be added for such protections)
  • Damage due to animals, speeding objects (such as a golf ball hitting your windshield)

If you want to protect from these forms of damage, a comprehensive optional coverage addition should be added to your premium.

Your coverage under collision protection will only pay for damages to your vehicle, in the event it is hit (by another car) or you hit another car or object.

3. Why do drivers need it?

Why you should consider this form of coverage is pretty straight forward. Accidents don't occur because we want them to, this is why they are called accidents. Collision coverage will protect you from having to pay huge out of pocket expenses in the event your car is totaled by a wreck, or major damage ensues and the costs are high. Rather, you will simply pay the deductible (of your choosing) and your insurance provider is going to pay the additional cost to repair the damage to your vehicle.

4. Are there minimum coverage amounts as it pertains to collision coverage?

Snce no state requires this optional coverage to be added to your auto insurance policy, no minimums are in place. But rather, depending on the value of your car, where you live, whether it is a high accident area, and other variables, drivers will choose different levels of protection and deductible amounts to protect them (and avoid huge out of pocket expenses) in the event a collision does occur.

Although there is no straight forward rule as it pertains to collision coverage, it is an optional form of coverage most drivers should consider. If you are comparing insurers, coverage levels, and other expenses, these are a few factors to keep in mind to help you find the best coverage, for a price you can afford.