When you purchase auto insurance, you’ll be presented with a variety of coverage options, and deciding which ones you need can be overwhelming. Although there are certain legal minimums all auto insurance policies must include in every state, there are also optional additions that are incredibly beneficial to most drivers.

One of the types of optional coverage you’ll hear the most about is collision coverage. To help give you a better idea of what might be right for you, we’ve compiled a list of things you should know about collision insurance.

What is Collision Insurance?

This type of car insurance protects you if your car is damaged from a collision with another vehicle or an object like a mailbox or a fence. It applies whether you’re at fault for the accident or not.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

  • Collisions with other vehicles
  • Collisions with objects or animals
  • Single-vehicle accidents, including rollovers

What Isn’t Covered by Collision Insurance?

  • Another vehicle’s damage (that’s where liability insurance comes in)
  • Yours or another driver’s medical bills. This is where medical expenses coverage is used instead.
  • Damage to your vehicle from something other than a collision, like a falling object or vandalism. Comprehensive insurance is used for these situations instead.

Do I Need Collision Insurance?

If you lease or finance your vehicle, the lender almost always requires that the driver has collision insurance to protect their investment. If you own your vehicle and it is less than 10 years old or worth more than $3,000, it is almost always encouraged for drivers to buy collision insurance.

Another good rule of thumb for deciding if you need collision insurance is to ask yourself if you could afford to replace your vehicle on your own if it were destroyed in a collision. If the answer is no, collision insurance is probably a wise choice!

Our clients are almost always surprised at how affordable collision coverage can be! Contact us today if you’d like to learn about policy options that suit your needs and budget.