The Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Coverage

What's the Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?

Collision coverage pays for damage to your car if you hit another vehicle or object, while comprehensive insurance covers non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters like floods and fires. Both types of coverage offer protection for your vehicle, but they cover different types of incidents. Neither type of coverage is required by Maryland law, but lenders may mandate one or both if you finance or lease a vehicle.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance covers damage to your car resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object, such as a fence or pole. It also covers damage from single-car accidents, including rollovers, regardless of who is at fault. While Maryland does not require collision coverage, you may wish to supplement your insurance coverage to include it.

What happens if you do not carry collision coverage? Drivers who do not carry full coverage may have to pay to repair or replace their vehicle if they’re involved in a crash. They may also face penalties, fines, and the inability to register their vehicle with the state of Maryland.

Have you been injured in an auto accident, and want to know if your collision insurance applies? Call the Poole Law Group today for a free claim consultation: 301-790-3600.

How to get Collision Insurance in Maryland

Contact a Maryland-approved insurance company and ask them about collision insurance options. You will be asked to provide information like the make and model of your car, your home address, expected annual miles driven, and your driving record. All of these can affect the cost of your collision insurance. Collision insurance typically involves a deductible that you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in.

What kinds of auto insurance are required in Maryland?

There are three types of vehicle insurance required by Maryland law. The official website of the state of Maryland describes them like this:

Liability insurance pays damages that you have caused and suffered by the other party for personal injury, death, or property damage.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays damages, after any applicable deductible, that are caused by an uninsured motorist and suffered by you. This protection is crucial, especially in cases where the at-fault driver has no insurance at all, as discussed in our blog "How Much Insurance Should I Have? (Part 3) | Uninsured Driver".
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage provides medical, hospital, and disability benefits up to $2,500 for all reasonable expenses arising out of an accident. Full personal injury protection provides benefits for you, any member of your family, and any non-family occupant of your vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance, often referred to as "other than collision" coverage, pays for physical damages to your car from non-collision events. This includes theft, vandalism, natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, and incidents like hitting an animal. Comprehensive coverage includes compensation for damages from unforeseen events: fire, theft, vandalism, weather-related incidents, dog bites, and so forth. Comprehensive insurance generally costs less than collision coverage, but does include a deductible that affects your premium costs.

What happens if you do not carry comprehensive coverage? Drivers who do not carry comprehensive insurance may have to pay for vehicle damage, including vandalism and theft. In larger cities, or cities with high rates of crime, comprehensive coverage is generally a good idea.

How to Get Comprehensive Coverage in Maryland

Getting comprehensive coverage on your vehicle starts with getting quotes to compare prices and coverage levels. This will depend on things like the make and model of your car, your home address, and the type of coverage you are interested in.

Are these types of insurance always optional?

The state of Maryland does not require collision coverage or comprehensive insurance; only liability, uninsured motorist, and PIP insurance is mandatory. However, if you have financed your vehicle through a lender, they might require you to carry one or both of these types of coverage until the loan is paid off. We recommend that you think carefully about the level of coverage that is right for you.

If you're unsure about which coverage is best for you or need legal advice regarding auto insurance claims in Maryland, talk to the experienced Maryland auto insurance lawyers at the Poole Law Group by calling 301-790-3600. We can provide valuable guidance tailored to your specific situation.