Numerous comprehensive insurance products, are available and consumers should review their options carefully before they make a purchase. Some things to consider include premium costs, deductibles, what is covered and what kinds of extra coverage might be available for a nominal fee beyond the basic insurance premium. Insurance companies can provide quotes and information free of charge, or it is possible to work through a broker who will solicit deals from multiple insurance agencies and bring back a choice of packages.
This type of vehicle insurance covers events beyond accidents that might damage a car. This can include situations such as falling tree limbs, stones kicked up from the road that break the window and car fires. If something happens, the insurance can cover the expense of repairing or replacing the car. Such events do not count against a driving record because they are not the fault of the driver, although the insurance premium might go up to reflect the increased risk to the insurance company if it gets multiple claims on the same policy.
One important consideration is cost. High deductibles equal lower premiums, but a high deductible can be a significant problem if something happens. It might be more convenient to pay slightly more up front in order to access a lower deductible. Drivers might want to consider the deductible cost and ask themselves if they can come up with enough money to cover it in the event of a claim on the comprehensive coverage policy.
Another issue with comprehensive coverage can be the extent of the coverage. Depending on the insurance company, regional laws and other factors, the amount of coverage can vary. When an insurance company offers a quote on comprehensive coverage, it can be helpful to review the policy details to learn what the coverage includes and excludes. For example, the policy might offer no protection in the event of a flood or other water damage.
Optional riders and benefits might be a topic of interest as well. Some comprehensive coverage comes with roadside assistance, coverage for glass repair or replacement and other benefits, but on other policies, those services are not available or cost extra. If a policy has exclusions, it might be possible to purchase riders to cover them. The insurance company also might offer an option such as a package deal for car, home and life insurance, or some other combination, at a discount. Although comprehensive coverage might be the primary focus of the purchase, the consumer might want to consider package options if these insurance products are also necessary, because it could save money in the long term and centralize all insurance coverage with one agency for convenience.