Hitting a deer is covered by comprehensive insurance, which repairs the policyholder’s car when it’s damaged by something other than an accident with another car or stationary object. If you hit a deer and file a comprehensive claim, you will be required to pay a deductible – usually $100 to $1,000.
On the other hand, collision insurance applies after a single-car accident or a wreck with another vehicle or stationary object. For example, you would use collision insurance if you drove your car into a tree. But it wouldn’t apply if you hit a deer.
It is better to have comprehensive insurance than collision insurance, if you need to choose between the two. Comprehensive coverage is inexpensive, can be purchased alone, and pays for damage due to events beyond your control, such as vandalism, theft, natural disasters or run-ins with animals.
On the other hand, drivers with a history of accidents or moving violations and drivers who live in high traffic areas should consider investing in ... read full answercollision insurance. Given that collision insurance cannot be purchased without comprehensive insurance, you’ll get the benefit of both types of coverage.
Why You Should Get Both Comprehensive & Collision Coverage
If your car is leased or financed, your lender or lessor will likely require you to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance together. But even if you do have a choice, you should still consider purchasing both types of coverage.
Collision and comprehensive insurance are best bought together because they cover different situations. Collision coverage repairs or replaces your car when it’s damaged in an accident, regardless of fault, while comprehensive insurance applies when your car is damaged by something other than an accident.
Ultimately, if you’re still struggling to decide whether to purchase comprehensive or collision coverage, a good rule of thumb is to skip either type if the cost is more than 10% of your car’s value. However, this is just a general guideline, and you should also consider whether you’re in the financial position to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged.
A collision insurance deductible is the amount of money that a driver must pay out-of-pocket when filing a collision insurance claim. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace a car damaged in an accident, and a driver must pay their collision deductible before their insurance company will cover the remaining costs.... read full answer
Collision Deductible Example
Say you are at fault in an accident that causes $10,000 in damage and you have a collision deductible of $1,000. You are responsible for covering your $1,000 collision deductible out-of-pocket in order for your insurance company to pay the remaining $9,000.
Collision Deductible Amounts
Collision deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000, and you select your deductible amount when you purchase your policy. The higher your deductible, the cheaper your premium will be. Although it’s tempting to get a higher deductible in order to pay less upfront, you should only choose a deductible that you can afford to pay if your car is suddenly damaged in an accident.
A good comprehensive deductible is an amount that the policyholder can afford to pay if their vehicle is suddenly damaged by something other than a car accident, such as vandalism or a natural disaster. Comprehensive insurance deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000, but they can sometimes be as high as $2,500. You choose your ... read full answerdeductible when you purchase your policy, and the higher the deductible is, the lower your premium will be.
Comprehensive Deductible Example
As a reminder, a comprehensive deductible is the amount that you have to pay out-of-pocket when filing a comprehensive insurance claim. For example, if a hailstorm causes $5,000 in damage to your car and you have a $1,000 deductible, your insurance company will only pay $4,000 for the repairs.
How to Choose Your Comprehensive Deductible
Before you decide on a deductible, you should consider how likely you are to file a comprehensive claim. If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters or has a high crime rate, for instance, it may be a good idea to get a low comprehensive deductible.
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