What Is Collision Insurance Coverage?

Q: What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

Collision insurance helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a covered loss, such as a collision with another vehicle or an object like a fence or tree, a rollover accident, someone crashing into your parked car, or an accident in a rented car.

Q: What Is the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?

Collision insurance covers the costs of repair for your car in the event of an accident with another vehicle or an object. Comprehensive coverage, also known as 'other than collision,' covers theft or vandalism, a tree falling on your car, a broken windshield, or hitting an animal while driving.

Q: How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?

The cost of collision insurance varies depending on factors such as your car's value, vehicle's year, make and model, and deductible amount. Typically, the lower your deductible, the higher your premium. On average, The Hartford's customers pay between $121 and $162 a month for car insurance.

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Key Takeaways

Collision car insurance coverage helps pay to repair damages to your vehicle caused by a crash – from highway collisions to fender benders.
Collision coverage, along with other car insurance coverages like comprehensive coverage and liability coverages, work together to protect against a wide array of events.
Your collision deductible amount is one of the many factors that impact the price of car insurance. Typically, the more protection you choose, the more expensive your insurance payment will be. But it’ll guard against more expenses if you need to file a claim.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

Vehicle damages can be expensive, whether your car hits a tree during a storm or you get into a fender bender. That’s where collision coverage comes in. This type of car insurance coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle after a covered loss. Without it, you’ll have to pay those expenses fully out of pocket.

Auto insurance collision coverage helps cover damages to your car from many different accidents, involving:

A collision with another vehicle or an object like a fence or tree
Only your car, like a rollover accident
Someone crashing into your parked car
An accident in a car you’ve rented

It’s important to know that your collision insurance typically won’t cover:

Damage to another person, including medical bills
Vandalism or theft
Accidents with animals
Losses other than auto damage from a collision

The Hartford will make sure you’re protected against any of the above. AARP^® Auto Insurance from The Hartford¹ offers customizable coverages to extend your collision auto insurance protection, including comprehensive car insurance, bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance coverages.

driver protected by collision coverage insurance from The Hartford

What Is an Example of Collision Insurance?

Accidents happen when you least expect them. Some real-life examples where collision insurance can help include:

You swerve to avoid hitting something in the road and end up crashing your car into a mailbox.
You park to run into the store and come back to find a dent from someone hitting your car.
You brake quickly and end up hydroplaning into a telephone pole.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collision Insurance

What Is the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?

Collision insurance helps cover the costs of repair for your car in the event of an accident with another vehicle or an accident involving an object like a fence or a tree. Comprehensive auto insurance coverage, also known as “other than collision,” covers things like:

Theft or vandalism of your car or its parts
A tree falling on your car
A broken windshield
If you hit an animal while driving

You must first have comprehensive insurance coverage for your car before you can buy collision insurance.

What Are the Benefits of Auto Collision Insurance Coverage?

Collision insurance can offer you peace of mind knowing you and your loved ones are protected, which is priceless. It helps pay for damage to your car if it’s involved in an accident, so you can avoid repair or replacement costs yourself, which can be thousands. Collision insurance even helps cover your losses with a totaled car. Because accidents take place in the blink of an eye, it’s important to be prepared.

What Are the Deductibles for Collision Auto Coverage?

Your collision deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for car insurance claims before your policy covers the rest. For example, if your deductible is $1,500 and your vehicle has $5,000 in damage, you would be responsible only for the $1,500 to pay to repair your car. Your insurance company, through your collision insurance coverage, would help pay the rest. Common collision coverage deductible amounts range from $500 to $2,000.

How Much Does Collision Insurance Cost?

On average, The Hartford’s customers pay between $158 and $196 a month for car insurance.² But, when it comes to the cost of car insurance, collision coverage is just one factor. The specific cost of your collision insurance coverage can vary depending on your:

Car’s value
Vehicle’s year, make and model
Deductible amount

Usually, the lower your deductible amounts, the higher your premium. So, if you plan to buy auto collision coverage, selecting a higher deductible generally helps lower the cost of your auto insurance, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket after an accident, which can be a risk. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your budget and insurance goals.

Get a Car Insurance Quote

From parking lot crashes to fallen tree limbs, The Hartford knows that accidents happen to even the safest of drivers, at no fault of their own. That’s why we offer car insurance policies you can tailor to meet your unique needs. That way, you can enjoy customizable auto coverages at a price that fits your budget. To learn more about how AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford can help protect you, get a car insurance quote today or call The Hartford at 888-546-9099.