It’s that time of year when all the deer are roaming around, so it can be dangerous for people traveling on the road. We also know that ice and snow are coming soon (if it hasn’t already in your area), and that adds to the danger for drivers and their passengers. With the increased possibility of being in an accident this time of year, what better time to re-visit the subject of collision vs. comprehensive auto coverage!

The great debate in auto insurance is the difference between comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, and should you purchase one or both of these? Collision insurance sounds simple – it’s insurance for collisions. Collision coverage provides coverage for the loss resulting from the striking of another object by a moving vehicle. So, colliding with a deer or any other animal would fall under this coverage, right?

On the other hand, comprehensive coverage (sometimes defined as “Other Than Collision”) is protection for your vehicle if it is damaged as the result of something other than a collision. But what does that all entail? Essentially, you have the option to buy coverage for damages that can occur without necessarily being involved in an accident, like damage from fire, vandalism, falling objects such as tree branches or hail, or any damage caused by weather, animals, etc. A good way to think about it is that comprehensive coverage handles most incidents that fall outside of your control.

So, for example, if an animal runs onto the road and you hit it, what coverage would it fall under? The comprehensive coverage! Did you know that? I didn’t at first, because I assumed it would be a collision case! Another example is if a random hail storm occurs and your vehicle is damaged. This would also fall under comprehensive coverage.

Protecting your vehicle from losses within your control are essential considering these types of losses tend to have higher consequences. However, “acts of God” or unpredictable losses, such as falling tree branches or vandalism, can occur at any time and without warning. Having comprehensive coverage in place to protect against these exposures gives peace of mind for all things outside of your control. Talk to your local independent agent today to see if this coverage is the right protection for you.