Collision coverage is an essential part of any car insurance policy, providing valuable protection for your vehicle in case of accidents. This type of insurance pays for repairs or replacement if your car is damaged in a collision, regardless of who is at fault. Whether it’s a crash with another vehicle, striking a stationary object like a tree, or even a single-car accident where your car rolls over, collision insurance ensures your vehicle can be repaired or replaced without bearing the full financial burden.

This coverage often extends beyond your own car and may include temporary substitute vehicles or newly acquired vehicles. It’s particularly beneficial in states with high traffic density where accidents are more common. Keeping your vehicle covered under collision insurance helps you stay prepared for unexpected expenses that might arise from accidents, safeguarding your financial stability.

If you find yourself involved in a car accident and need legal assistance, you can contact car accident attorneys in New York to help you understand your rights. They can guide you through the claims process and ensure you get the necessary support to recover damages. With collision insurance, navigating the aftermath of an accident becomes significantly more manageable, allowing you to focus on your recovery and vehicle repair.

Collision vs. Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Collision insurance covers damage to your car from accidents involving another vehicle or an object like a tree or guardrail. It applies regardless of fault.

Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision damages such as theft, vandalism, weather events (like hail or floods), and falling objects.

Both types of coverage generally include deductibles ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more.

Key Differences

Collision Insurance:

  • Pays for repair or replacement of your car after a collision.
  • Applies whether you are at fault or not.

Comprehensive Insurance:

  • Covers damages from non-collision events.
  • Protects against theft, vandalism, weather damage, and falling objects.

Cost Comparison

Collision insurance typically costs more than comprehensive insurance. On average, collision coverage costs over 52% more than comprehensive coverage.

Scenarios

Collision:

  • You hit another car.
  • You crash into a tree or guardrail.

Comprehensive:

  • Your car is stolen or vandalized.
  • Hail damages your car.
  • A tree branch falls on your vehicle.

Cars in storage or not regularly used may still need comprehensive insurance, but they usually don’t require collision coverage.

Understanding these differences helps in tailoring an auto insurance policy that fits specific needs and circumstances.

What Collision Coverage Entails

Collision coverage is a type of auto insurance policy that provides financial protection for your vehicle in specific situations.

It covers the cost of repairs or replacement if your car is damaged due to:

  • A car crash with another vehicle.
  • Collisions with stationary objects such as trees or telephone poles.
  • Single-car accidents like rollovers.

One significant advantage of collision coverage is that it applies regardless of who is at fault in the accident. This ensures that drivers can claim repair costs whether or not they caused the incident.

Unlike some types of insurance, collision coverage does not require the policyholder to select a limit. The payout is based on the actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of damage.

Certain policies may also extend this coverage to:

  • Temporary substitute cars
  • Newly-acquired cars
  • Cars being used that aren’t owned by the policyholder’s household or employer

This broad scope of coverage makes collision insurance a valuable addition to an auto insurance policy for many drivers.

What Comprehensive Coverage Includes

Comprehensive coverage offers protection for a wide range of non-collision incidents. This type of insurance covers damages from events like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

For instance, a car damaged by a falling tree during a storm would be covered.

  • Theft and Vandalism: If a vehicle is stolen or vandalized, comprehensive coverage helps cover the repair or replacement costs.
  • Weather-Related Damage: Damages caused by hail, floods, or hurricanes are included.
  • Animal Collisions: If an animal, such as a deer, is hit, the resulting damage falls under comprehensive coverage.
  • Fire and Explosions: Damage from fires and explosions is also covered.

Examples:

  • A car is broken into, and the stereo is stolen. Comprehensive coverage pays for the stereo replacement.
  • Hail damages a vehicle’s roof, and comprehensive coverage covers the repair.

The coverage typically has a deductible, which is the amount the policyholder must pay out of pocket before the insurance company covers the remaining costs.

This insurance is also known as “other-than-collision” coverage, highlighting its role in covering non-collision-related damages.

Is Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Required in New York?

In New York, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance are not mandatory.

Drivers in New York are only required to carry liability insurance. This includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage.

The mandatory coverages in New York are:

  • Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 for two or more people.
  • Property Damage Liability: $25,000.

Though collision and comprehensive coverage are optional, many drivers choose to add them for additional protection.

Collision insurance covers damages to the policyholder’s vehicle resulting from a collision, regardless of who is at fault.

Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for non-collision-related incidents, including theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.

While not required by law, drivers with financed or leased vehicles might be required by lenders to maintain both collision and comprehensive coverage.