Cheap Comprehensive Car Insurance

Comprehensive vehicle insurance provides financial protection against damages and repairs that may arise due to unforeseen events beyond an individual’s control. In most cases, this type of insurance coverage applies when the individual is not driving the vehicle, such as in cases of natural disasters, vandalism and theft. However, it is important to note that even if an individual hits an animal while driving, comprehensive insurance coverage may still apply. Such incidents fall under comprehensive coverage as stipulated in the car insurance policy.

Comprehensive car insurance is one-third of full coverage car insurance, along with state-required liability insurance and collision coverage. If your vehicle is financed or leased, you’ll likely be required to carry full coverage until you make that last payment.

At Acceptance Insurance, we have friendly agents who can help you find the right plan for what you can afford.

The average cost is approximately $263 annually. The average cost of full coverage annually is $2,014, meaning comprehensive is about 13% of your full coverage total. If you own your vehicle, you can buy it separately. Comprehensive car insurance has a deductible you usually pay before the insurance kicks in or it may be subtracted from the amount the insurance company pays out.

As with all car insurance, your cost will depend on factors unique to you, such as age, type of vehicle, driving history, location and more.

It protects your finances from taking a hit for repairs or replacement to your vehicle under a covered event. Except for your deductible, you’ll receive whatever your insurer determines is the actual cash value (ACV) for your vehicle if it is declared a loss or the total amount of repairs at an approved body shop.

Here are a few examples of when comprehensive coverage is good to have as part of your policy.

A Tree Falls on Your Car

If a tree branch falls on your parked car during a storm, your comprehensive will pay for the repairs (likewise with hailstorm damage or almost anything else Mother Nature presents).

Your Car is Stolen

No matter how careful you are, your car may still be stolen from the mall parking lot — or even your own driveway. Comprehensive will pay the ACV of your vehicle minus your deductible.

A Deer Runs Out in Front of You

Nobody wants to hit an animal, but it does unfortunately happen. And, hitting a large animal can cause quite a bit of damage. This type of repair (or replacement) will be covered under your comprehensive policy.

While comprehensive insurance will cover your repairs if you hit a deer, if you swerve to miss a deer and hit a tree it will not cover your damages. That would be filed under your collision coverage. Here are some other things that are not covered by comprehensive:

• Collision damage
• Somebody else’s vehicle
• Medical expenses
• Normal wear and tear

If you live in an area that has a high crime rate, you may want to consider adding this type of insurance, since it protects you against vandalism and theft. If your location is prone to storm damage, you may need it. Remember, you cannot add coverage after a storm, such as a hurricane, has been predicted. Call your friendly Acceptance Insurance agent to discuss your needs and your budget so they can find you a customized plan.

As mentioned, you’ll want to take into consideration the area you live in and decide if it’s a good idea. Here’s one way to determine if the premium is worth the coverage: Find your current market value from Kelly Blue Book and subtract your proposed deductible. Subtract your six-month premium for comprehensive coverage. If the number is still a very high positive, comprehensive may be a good choice.

Example: You have a later model Toyota worth $20,000. After you subtract your $1,000 deductible and a six-month premium of $130, your number is $18,870. Not an amount that would be easy to come up with if your car is lost.

Example. Your old Toyota is worth $1,800 at a dealership trade-in, your deductible is $1,000 and your 6-month premium is $130. The figure you arrive at is $670. It’s still a positive but the most you will probably get for actual cash value from the insurer is roughly $700. Maybe your annual $160 premium is better spent elsewhere in this situation.

This is one advantage of working with an experienced insurance agent at your back. They can make sure you are buying what you need at a price you can afford.

The most you can purchase is the ACV of your vehicle. This figure is arrived at by your insurer, but you can contest it if you think it is too low. You’ll need to choose a deductible, so pick one that you are comfortable paying in the event of a claim. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium price, but you still must come up with the cash in case of a claim.

Comprehensive Insurance pays the actual cash value of the total loss vehicle in the event of an approved claim. If you do not agree with that value, you have the right to contest it. Use an independent appraiser to value your vehicle and present the findings to your insurer. Failing a satisfactory outcome, you can take your case to your state department of insurance. The case will be reviewed and the state will determine the value. If you still are not happy, you can take your insurance agency to court.