Does auto insurance cover accidental damage?
While comprehensive car insurance will pay for accidental damage, not all policy types will. Read on to learn more about accidental damage car insurance protection.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Mar 8, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 8, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Not all types of car insurance will cover accidental damage protection for a vehicle
- Comprehensive car insurance covers accidental damage due to inclement weather, vandalism, theft, and other similar instances
- Collision car insurance covers damage that occurs as the result of a car accident
If you’ve spent much time searching for car insurance, you know not all car insurance is created equally. Some car insurance policies offer the basics for necessary coverage, while other policies allow customers to feel safe and protected in virtually every circumstance.
What is auto insurance? Does insurance cover accidental damage? There are two main car insurance coverage options that will offer assistance when it comes to accidental damage. First, comprehensive car insurance coverage is useful if your car is damaged by falling debris or vandalism. In contrast, collision coverage can help if your vehicle is damaged due to a car accident.
Does car insurance cover accidental damage?
While there is no such thing as accidental damage car insurance, your car insurance may help cover accidental damage claims. Still, it will depend on the type of car insurance coverage you have.
To drive legally, you must meet your state’s requirements in terms of minimum coverage. The table below shows each state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Minimum Liability Auto Insurance Requirements by State
State Insurance required Minimum liability limits
AL BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
AK BI & PD Liab 50/100/25
AZ BI & PD Liab 15/30/10
AR BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/25
CA BI & PD Liab 15/30/5
CO BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
CT BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
DE BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/10
DC BI & PD Liab, UM 25/50/10
FL PD Liab, PIP 10/20/10
GA BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
HI BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/10
ID BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
IL BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
IN BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
IA BI & PD Liab 20/40/15
KS BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/50/25
KY BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/25
LA BI & PD Liab 15/30/25
ME BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM, Medpay 50/100/25
MD BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 30/60/15
MA BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/5
MI BI & PD Liab, PIP 20/40/10
MN BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 30/60/10
MS BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
MO BI & PD Liab, UM 25/50/25
MT BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
NE BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
NV BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
NH FR only 25/50/25
NJ BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 15/30/5
NM BI & PD Liab 25/50/10
NY BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/10
NC BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 30/60/25
ND BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/25
OH BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
OK BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
OR BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM 25/50/20
PA BI & PD Liab, PIP 15/30/5
RI BI & PD Liab 25/50/25
SC BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
SD BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
TN BI & PD Liab 25/50/15
TX BI & PD Liab, PIP 30/60/25
UT BI & PD Liab, PIP 25/65/15
VT BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/10
VA BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/20
WA BI & PD Liab 25/50/10
WV BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM 25/50/25
WI BI & PD Liab, UM, Medpay 25/50/10
WY BI & PD Liab 25/50/20
Once you know your state’s minimum requirements for car insurance coverage, you can purchase a policy that meets the requirement to drive legally.
But if you want to ensure that you have accidental coverage with your car insurance, you will need to purchase a more substantial auto insurance policy.
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What types of auto insurance cover accidental damage?
Two main types of car insurance cover accidental damage to your vehicle: comprehensive and collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage is a type of car insurance that will cover repairs to your vehicle in an incident other than a collision. Examples of comprehensive coverage claims include if someone slashes your tires or if a branch falls from a tree and lands on the hood of your car.
Does car insurance cover accidental interior damage? Depending on the nature of the incident, comprehensive car insurance may cover accidental interior damage and exterior damage to the vehicle.
Collision coverage will cover repairs to your car if you are in a car accident. While liability coverage only helps pay for damage caused to another person’s vehicle, collision coverage can help cover your car even if you are at fault in the accident.
Read more:
Can I buy comprehensive and collision coverage together to cover accidental damage?
If you are trying to find the best car insurance for accidental damage, you may want to consider purchasing both types of coverage under your car insurance policy. Many people purchase comprehensive and collision insurance together, and this type of policy is often referred to as full coverage car insurance.
You can expect your car insurance rates to increase when you add both comprehensive and collision coverage. However, you will be covered in virtually every scenario.
How much is a full coverage auto insurance policy?
You will never know how much you will pay for a full coverage car insurance policy until you start to shop around. If you have a liability-only policy and want to purchase full coverage, you will pay significantly more in monthly rates.
The table below shows the average annual rates for full coverage car insurance in each state.
State Average Annual Full Coverage Rates
Alabama $868.48
Alaska $1,027.75
Arizona $972.85
Arkansas $906.34
California $986.75
Colorado $981.64
Connecticut $1,151.07
Delaware $1,240.57
District of Columbia $1,330.73
Florida $1,257.13
Georgia $1,048.40
Hawaii $873.28
Idaho $679.89
Illinois $884.56
Indiana $755.03
Iowa $702.46
Kansas $862.93
Kentucky $938.51
Louisiana $1,405.36
Maine $703.82
Maryland $1,116.45
Massachusetts $1,129.29
Michigan $1,364.00
Minnesota $875.49
Mississippi $994.05
Missouri $872.43
Montana $863.52
Nebraska $831.02
Nevada $1,103.05
New Hampshire $818.75
New Jersey $1,382.79
New Mexico $937.59
New York $1,360.66
North Carolina $789.09
North Dakota $773.30
Ohio $788.56
Oklahoma $1,005.32
Oregon $904.83
Pennsylvania $970.51
Rhode Island $1,303.50
South Carolina $973.10
South Dakota $766.91
Tennessee $871.43
Texas $1,109.66
Utah $872.93
Vermont $764.02
Virginia $842.67
Washington $968.80
West Virginia $1,025.78
Wisconsin $737.18
Wyoming $847.44
Countrywide $1,009.38
Full coverage car insurance does cover accidental damage in many cases, but the cost of full coverage can be daunting. If the price for full coverage in your state seems expensive, there may be a few things you can do to lower your monthly premium.
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Can I get cheap auto insurance for accidental damage?
Full coverage car insurance policies are generally not cheap, but you can avoid paying too much for car insurance coverage in your state.
The best thing you can do to lower your monthly rates is to shop around for coverage with multiple companies. When you find and compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies online, you will see which companies offer the coverage you want at a reasonable price.
If you find that a few companies offer similar monthly rates, you can call the companies individually to ask about car insurance discounts. Speak with a representative from the company and ask about discounts that might work for you. If you find that you are eligible for a specific discount, ask how much it would impact your monthly payment.
You can also consider choosing a higher deductible to lower your monthly rates. Choosing a higher deductible on your car insurance policy will force you to pay more money out of pocket if you are ever in an accident or need to file a claim, but it could save you a good bit of money every month.
Accidental Damage Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
To make sure your coverage extends to accidental damage to your vehicle, you will want to consider adding both comprehensive coverage and collision coverage to your auto insurance policy.
You may be able to find lower-than-average full coverage rates by comparing quotes, asking about discounts, and choosing a higher deductible on your policy. When you shop for car insurance, take your time and compare rates from several companies in your area to get a good idea of how much you should pay for coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover accidental damage?
Yes, most types of auto insurance policies provide coverage for accidental damage to your vehicle. Accidental damage refers to unexpected or unintentional harm caused to your car, such as collisions, vandalism, or theft. However, the specific coverage and extent of protection can vary depending on the type of policy and its terms and conditions.
Are there any exclusions or limitations to accidental damage coverage?
Yes, it’s important to note that auto insurance policies may have certain exclusions or limitations regarding accidental damage coverage. Common exclusions include intentional damage, damage caused by illegal activities, wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, or damage from acts of war. It’s crucial to review your policy carefully to understand the specific exclusions and limitations that may apply.
Can I choose to include accidental damage coverage in my policy?
Yes, comprehensive and collision coverage, which encompass accidental damage, are optional add-ons to your basic auto insurance policy. You can choose to include these coverages when purchasing or renewing your policy, but they will likely increase your premium cost. Assess your needs, consider the value of your vehicle, and consult with your insurance provider to determine the appropriate coverage for your circumstances.
How does the claims process work for accidental damage?
If your vehicle sustains accidental damage, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company. The specific steps and requirements may vary between insurers, but generally, you will be required to provide details of the incident, such as the date, time, location, and a description of the damage. You may also need to provide supporting documentation, such as photographs, police reports (if applicable), and repair estimates. The insurance company will evaluate your claim and may send an adjuster to assess the damage before approving the claim and providing compensation according to the terms of your policy.
Will my auto insurance cover the full cost of repairing accidental damage?
The extent of coverage for accidental damage repairs depends on the terms and limits outlined in your insurance policy. Insurance policies commonly include deductibles, which are the out-of-pocket amounts you need to pay before the coverage kicks in. Additionally, the insurance company may use certain criteria, such as the actual cash value or the repair costs compared to the vehicle’s value, to determine the compensation amount. It’s important to review your policy to understand your deductible and the coverage limits associated with accidental damage repairs.
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Scott W. Johnson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Scott W Johnson is an independent insurance agent in California. Principal Broker and founder of Marindependent Insurance Services, Scott brings over 25 years of experience to his clients. His Five President’s Council awards prove he uses all he learned at Avocet, Sprint Nextel, and Farmers Insurance to the benefit of his clients. Scott quickly grasped the unique insurance requirements of his...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.