Pays for automobile damage resulting from anything but collision with another vehicle or object. Covers common situations like fire, severe weather, floods, vandalism and theft, and more uncommon occurrences like shopping cart and hail or wind damage that occurs to vehicles.
If something flies up and hits the car’s windshield, causing it to shatter, comprehensive coverage also pays to replace the glass.
Though not required by law, comprehensive insurance is advisable for those unexpected occurrences, like the situation mentioned above. When an accident occurs requiring a comprehensive claim, the policyholder simply notifies the insurer of the accident and the damage that resulted, then pays a deductible (a small portion of the overall bill). The insurance company then sends an adjuster to assess the damage, negotiate repairs with the shop and cut a check for the remainder of the repair costs.