What is collision coverage in auto insurance?
Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident, such as a fender bender or a collision with a fixed object. Unlike liability insurance, collision coverage is not required by law. It is usually mandated if you’re financing or leasing a vehicle. Collision insurance is subject to a deductible: the amount you’re responsible for paying prior to your car insurance coverage kicking in. Collision insurance is often associated with comprehensive insurance. The pair of coverages is commonly referred to as “full coverage insurance.”
In this article, we’ll outline why collision coverage is useful and how much it costs before reviewing some frequently asked questions.
- Collision insurance protects you if you collide with another vehicle or object.
- Collision insurance is not required by law, but lenders and dealers will require that leased and financed vehicles hold full coverage insurance.
- Collision insurance is subject to a deductible.
- Your insurance rates will increase if you have to file a collision claim.
What does collision insurance cover?
Collision coverage protects your car if it collides with another vehicle or fixed object. This coverage applies regardless of fault. However, filing a collision claim involves paying a deductible and typically raises your future premiums.
What’s covered by collision insurance:
- Property damage to your vehicle sustained in a collision
- Property damage sustained by hitting a fixed object, such as a tree or wall
- Damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver
- Damage sustained after losing control of your vehicle because of an icy road
- Damage caused by hitting a pothole
It does not cover damage to other vehicles, medical bills for other driver’s injuries, theft, vandalism, or damage from fire, hail or fallen objects. These would be covered by other sections of your auto insurance policy: liability and comprehensive coverage, if you carry it.
Is collision insurance required?
State laws do not require collision coverage. If you’re leasing or financing your car, the dealer might require it. If you own a high-value vehicle, this coverage is highly recommended.
Vehicles purchased through financing and leased vehicles require full coverage insurance. This is because by signing a lease or loan application, it means you owe but have not yet paid the full amount of the vehicle— you are responsible for paying the auto loan, and on the hook for loaned dollars if the car is totaled right after buying it. Lenders require collision and comprehensive insurance because state-required property damage limits would not be enough to cover a new vehicle if totaled.
Learn more about the key differences between collision and comprehensive insurance.
How much does collision coverage cost?
The true cost of collision coverage depends on the value of the insured vehicle and your deductible. Below is the average rate you can expect for a 2014 Honda EX with $500 and $1000 deductibles. View our methodology below.
To see a personalized estimate of your collision coverage rates, see car insurance quotes from popular insurance companies.
| Coverage Level | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| $500 deductible | $1,699 |
| $1,000 deductible | $1,493 |
Collision deductibles
As you can see, a higher deductible usually results in cheaper insurance premiums. If you want to lower your overall insurance costs, consider raising your deductible.
It’s important to keep your collision deductibles in mind if you find yourself in an accident. If you collide with an object and the damage costs less than your deductible amount to repair, it is best to pay for the damages out of pocket to avoid your insurance premiums increasing. If your vehicle was totaled by the impact, your insurer would take the value of your car before the accident and subtract your deductible amount before sending you a check.
By how much does a collision claim raise insurance rates?
Filing a collision claim is similar to being involved in an at-fault accident: it can impact your premium in a big way. In 2018, the average collision claim increased rates by $303 over the course of a six-month period. Most insurance companies will charge this additional premium for a period of three to five years after an accident. One collision claim can increase your rates by between $1,818 and $3,030 over the course of the penalty period. Before filing a collision claim, get an estimate to see if the cost of repairs is less than the cost of the rate increase plus the deductible.
Learn more about how to decide whether to file an auto insurance claim.
