Personal guide
Comprehensive, Collision, and Auto Deductibles
See what physical-damage coverage protects and how $500 and $1,000 deductibles affect premium and claim costs.
What to know first
- Collision addresses covered impact losses; comprehensive generally addresses covered non-collision losses.
- Lenders and lessors commonly require both coverages.
- The deductible applies separately to each covered claim.
California limits and common starting points
$500 and $1,000 deductibles are common. Choose an amount you could pay promptly after a loss; compare the premium difference before increasing it.
These are educational benchmarks, not a recommendation for every applicant.Collision coverage generally addresses covered damage from impact with another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage commonly addresses theft, vandalism, falling objects, animal strikes, glass, and certain weather losses, subject to the contract.
A higher deductible can reduce premium but increases the amount due after each covered claim. The vehicle's value, loan balance, repair costs, and available emergency savings should guide the choice.
Older vehicles still require an economic review rather than an automatic removal of coverage. Compare annual savings with the vehicle's actual cash value and the household's ability to replace it.