Physical Damage Insurance

If you’re in the market for a new car insurance policy, you’ll want to know your coverage options. A good place to start is physical damage insurance. Without this key coverage, you’ll have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your car after certain covered accidents.
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: 01/21/2026
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Key Takeaways

  • Physical damage insurance, typically comprised of collision and comprehensive coverage, is a key part of any car insurance policy. These coverages work together to help protect your vehicle from things like accidents, theft, fire and natural disasters.
  • While it covers damage to your car from a range of situations, it does not pay for medical expenses, legal fees, lost income, stolen property or damage to other vehicles. That’s why it’s important to have a full car insurance policy to extend your protection.
  • Many lenders require physical damage coverage for leased or financed cars. But if you own your car outright, buying it is optional and costs will vary based on personal factors.
 

What Is Physical Damage Insurance?

Physical damage coverage is an important part of a car insurance policy. It offers financial protection from damage to your car caused by accidents, theft or fire, to name a few examples. Typically, physical damage insurance consists of collision insurance and comprehensive insurance coverages. They work together to provide extended protection for your vehicle.
 

What Does Physical Damage Insurance Cover?

Physical damage insurance coverage helps protect your car from a range of scenarios, from colliding with another vehicle or animal to natural disasters.
 
With collision and comprehensive coverage, you’ll be protected in the event of:
 
  • Collision with a car, truck or object, like a fence
  • Rollovers
  • Collision with an animal
  • Vandalism
  • Weather, like hail
  • Falling objects
  • Fire
  • Natural disasters, like earthquakes
Tip:
Physical damage policy offerings won’t keep you completely covered every time a loss occurs. This could mean you’d have to pay a lot of money out of pocket if you don’t have the right insurance. That’s why it’s important to have a policy with robust protection to meet your specific needs, including auto liability coverage.
 
Physical damage insurance won’t help cover things like:
 
  • Medical expenses for you or injured passengers after an accident
  • Legal fees if someone sues you after a crash
  • Lost income for you or your passengers if you miss work
  • Property stolen from your car at any time
  • Damage to another car after a collision
To learn more about customizable coverage options you can take advantage of with AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford,1 call 888-546-9099.
 

Do You Need Physical Damage Insurance Coverage?

If you’re looking to lease or take out a loan on your car, many lenders require proof of physical damage coverage, which means carrying comprehensive and collision insurance.
 
If your lender doesn’t require this insurance or if you own your car outright, then it’s up to you whether to purchase these coverages. For example, if your car’s actual cash value has gone down to a point where paying for auto physical damage coverage isn’t cost-effective, then having comprehensive coverage may not make sense for you.
 
But keep in mind: Since these coverages help protect you from potential risks, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any repairs or replacements if a loss occurs.
Whether you lease, finance or own your vehicle, physical damage insurance can help protect your investment. Learn more about car leasing and insurance.
 

How Much Does Physical Damage Insurance Cost?

The cost of physical damage insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage, will vary from person to person. That’s because car insurance prices are complex and based on many unique factors like your vehicle type, driving history and selected limits. Loss exposure is an insurance term for how likely you may be to get into an accident and plays a role in your price.
 
Designed with experienced drivers in mind, The Hartford’s customers can pay as little as $87 per month for car insurance.** Get a quote today to see how we can help cover your vehicle for less than you might expect.
driver protected by physical damage coverage from The Hartford

Learn More About Physical Damage Insurance With The Hartford

From a minor fender bender to a total loss, it’s important to know you have a dependable car insurance policy, so you can drive with confidence. To ensure your car has enough coverage, explore our car insurance options or get a physical damage insurance quote from The Hartford today.
The Hartford is proud to be known for our exceptional claims and customer service. In fact, we’ve been in the business of helping individuals get the protection they need for over 200 years. Our specialists are here at 888-546-9099 to help you choose from a range of coverage options, deductibles and benefits customized just for you, including:
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Damage Insurance

The four types of physical damage coverage are collision and comprehensive coverages, as well as property damage liability and uninsured motorist property damage coverages.
 
  • Collision insurance helps cover the cost to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object, like a fence.
  • Comprehensive insurance helps pay to repair damage to your car from things like natural disasters, collision with an animal, theft or vandalism.
  • Property damage liability coverage helps pay for damage that your car causes to property you don’t own. This is one of the two liability coverages typically required on a car insurance policy.
  • Uninsured motorist property damage coverage helps pay for damage to your car after an accident. It’s one of the three coverages that protects you from drivers who are not insured at all (including hit-and-run drivers) or have too little coverage.
Physical damage refers to any tangible damage done to your vehicle or property as a result of vandalism, weather or a car accident, to name a few examples. It can also include injuries sustained during the incident.
Liability coverages help pay legal fees if you hurt someone in the event of an accident. They also help cover other expenses if your car damages someone else’s property. Physical damage coverage, on the other hand, helps protect your car specifically from damage, ranging from car accidents to natural disasters.
 
Liability coverage is broken out into two types:
 
No, physical damage insurance coverage, which typically consists of collision and comprehensive coverage, is just one facet of a full car insurance policy. You’ll need more protection to be fully covered against potential risks on the road and to meet any state requirements.

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** Average annual savings are based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford’s newest rate plan between 9/1/24 and 8/31/25. Average auto insurance savings $597 and average home insurance savings $366. Your savings may vary. Rate differences for AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure. Auto/Home discount is available only to policyholders who have both their auto and home (or condo or renters) insurance through the AARP Auto & Home Insurance program from The Hartford. The Hartford does not write new business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL.
 
§ Availability of RecoverCare benefit and benefit levels vary by state. The Hartford RecoverCare Advantage® is a registered mark of The Hartford.
 
§§ Terms and conditions apply.
 
‡ Terms and conditions apply. Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible are not available to CA policyholders.
 
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply. Availability varies by state.
 
‡‡‡ Based on one car and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and characteristics of vehicle(s)/driver(s).
 
Additional disclosures below.
AARP® Auto Insurance
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FAQs
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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.