Generally, Collision insurance covers damage to your automobile caused by collision with another object or by upset. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your automobile for things other than Collision so for vandalism, hitting an animal, hail damage, flood water, theft or glass breakage, etc.
Each state has different auto insurance policy standards, so it's a good idea to look at policies by state when trying to define policy coverage for windshield replacement versus repairing any other item. However, an occurrence on an out-of-state trip will not likely affect your chances of windshield replacement, as this is something that usually falls under the comprehensive category; unless the windshield is shattered in a collision.
So what type of mishaps fall under the comprehensive category? Penny Gusner, a consumer analyst from CarInsurance.com provided the following examples.
A rock flies out from under the lawn mower and chips your car window.
Children playing with toys outside end up damaging the vehicle in various ways.
Paint drops onto your car while painting the exterior of your house.
That genius moment when you decide, “to hell with scraping ice off the windshield,” and instead douse the glass with hot water -- then witness the cracking of said windshield.
In colder temperatures, slipping the key into the lock, where it freezes and breaks off.
Your engine compartment becomes a warming station for local critters that in turn gnaw at every wire they can find under the hood.
With these scenarios, Gusner reminded us there's more to protecting your car than just driving carefully. She explained other instances that seem comprehensive but actually fall under the collision-claim umbrella.
Running over a child's bike or toy that has been left in the driveway or on the sidewalk.
Driving over a manhole missing its cover, damaging the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Misjudging the width or height of a drive-thru area.
Damaging the top of your vehicle while driving beneath low-hanging tree branches.
When determining whether to file any type of insurance claim, consumers often fear their insurance premiums will rise as a result. Not so with comprehensive claims said Gusner. “Normally, claims under your comprehensive coverage don't affect your rates like collision claims will. Some states even have specific laws against it. New York comes to mind especially. They don't allow surcharges if you make a comprehensive claim.” Even so, Gusner added, “If you make a lot of claims in a short period of time, whether collision or comp, then your rates could increase, not because of the type of claim but the amount of claims.”
