Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive coverage is an important component of auto policies. It helps pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged by theft, fire or hitting an animal, to name a few examples.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
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Updated: 02/04/2026
Read Time: 4 minutes
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Key Takeaways

  • Comprehensive car insurance coverage provides protection from a wide range of incidents, from natural disasters to vandalism.
  • You can typically select the comprehensive deductible that makes the most sense for you and your budget. Deductible amounts will influence your total cost of car insurance.
  • If your car is leased or financed, you’ll typically need both comprehensive and collision coverages, which help protect your car in different ways.

What Is Comprehensive Insurance?

When it comes to protecting your car, comprehensive insurance coverage, also known as “other than collision” coverage, can help pay to fix damage to your car from claims unrelated to collisions with other vehicles. For example, by the comprehensive car insurance coverage definition, it can help pay for damages caused by hail, theft, fire or hitting an animal.
 
As far as car insurance coverage requirements go, if you’re financing or leasing your car, your lender will likely require comprehensive for car insurance. Even if you own your car outright, adding this as an optional coverage on top of other coverages you may have, like liability insurance, can help extend your protection.
With the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford,1 you can enjoy customizable coverage options to meet your unique needs.
 

What Does Comprehensive Coverage Cover?

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage caused by:
 
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes
  • Glass damage
  • Falling objects
  • A civil disturbance, like a riot
  • Animal accidents, like if your vehicle hits a deer
Comprehensive insurance for cars will not help cover:
 
  • Damage if your car hits another vehicle
  • Medical expenses
  • Legal fees
  • Lost income for you or your passengers if you miss work after an accident
  • Damage to another person’s car from a collision
  • Property stolen from your car

Comprehensive Car Insurance Deductibles and Limits

When you buy comprehensive insurance, you’ll choose a deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay on your claim before your auto coverage kicks in. Once you pay that, your car insurance will cover the rest of your costs, up to your limit.
Let’s say your car is damaged and will cost $6,000 to repair, and your deductible is $1,000. You’ll only pay out of pocket for the $1,000 deductible, and then your insurance company will pay the other $5,000 on your comprehensive claim.
 

How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?

On average, The Hartford’s customers pay between $121 and $162 a month for car insurance.† But it’s important to keep in mind that comprehensive car insurance rates can vary.
 
Some factors that influence the cost are your:
Driving history
Car’s model and age
Deductible amount
 

Who Needs Comprehensive Auto Coverage?

Drivers across the country can benefit from comprehensive car insurance as it offers protection from many non-collision incidents. This coverage can be especially helpful if you live in an area with a lot of theft, vandalism or natural disasters.
 
Ultimately, your need for comprehensive insurance depends on several factors. Questions you can ask yourself to see if you need this coverage are:
 
  • Does your car lender require comprehensive coverage? If you lease or finance, chances are they do, and you won’t be able to get your car without it.
  • How much is your car worth? If you own your vehicle outright, and it’s worth less than what you’d pay for your insurance premium, this coverage may not be worth it.
  • Do you live in a heavily populated area? Cities and towns with higher populations may have more crime, so you may want added protection.
  • Are there a lot of natural disasters in your area? Comprehensive insurance covers damages from these non-collision incidents, like floods and wildfires.

What Is the Difference Between Comprehensive and Collision Insurance?

Comprehensive and collision insurance are both auto insurance coverages that help protect your car. However, they cover different things.
 
Collision insurance helps cover car accidents, while you can define comprehensive insurance as more of a physical damage insurance. It helps pay for damages that are outside of your control. So, if a natural disaster or animal damages your car, your comprehensive coverage helps cover the repairs.
Comprehensive  Insurance Helps Cover Collision Insurance Helps Cover
Natural disasters
An accident with another car
Vandalism Single-car collisions, like a rollover
Theft Someone crashing into your parked car
Falling objects An accident in a car you’re renting
Civil disturbances, like riots A collision with another object, like a mailbox
Hitting an animal  
Glass damage  
Fire  
Comprehensive Insurance Doesn’t Help Cover Collision Insurance Doesn’t Help Cover
Damage from a vehicle collision Injuries to other drivers in an accident
Medical expenses Vandalism or theft
Legal fees Accidents with animals
Property stolen from your car Damage sustained from a natural disaster
Lost income to you or your passengers after an accident Losses other than auto damage from a collision

Get a Quote for Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Since 1984, The Hartford has offered exclusive benefits and car insurance discounts for AARP members, plus customizable coverage to meet your unique needs. To learn more and buy comprehensive coverage, get a car insurance quote online or call The Hartford at 888-546-9099. Our representatives are happy to talk about our insurance products and make sure you get the right coverage to enjoy peace of mind on the road.

Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensive Car Insurance

Whether you drive an electric vehicle, hybrid or gas-powered car, things covered by comprehensive coverage are non-car caused incidents, such as:
 
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes
  • Glass damage
  • Falling objects
  • Hitting an animal
  • A civil disturbance, like a riot
If you have a loan or lease on your car, your lender will usually require you to have comprehensive insurance. But even if you aren’t required, it’s still a good idea to have coverage. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any expenses if your car sustains damage from theft, fire, natural disasters or hitting an animal.
No, comprehensive insurance is only part of a full coverage car insurance policy. Full coverage car insurance refers to a combination of different coverages that together offer broader protection than the state-required minimums. In addition to comprehensive coverage, full coverage policies typically include:
 
  • Liability coverage, which offers financial protection if you get into an accident and are sued for hurting someone or damaging their property.
  • Collision coverage, which helps pay for repairs for your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle.

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† Average annual savings are derived from 6-month policy terms and based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford’s newest rate plan between 9/1/24 and 8/31/25. This data is also used to determine the number/percentage of individuals who saved money when they switched. Your savings may vary. Rate differences from AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure.
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Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. The Hartford does not write new Home business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.