Function

• Comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your vehicle not caused by an auto accident. Typical examples include windshield damage, fire, theft, vandalism and damage from falling objects. It will often pay for damages caused by animal collision such as striking a deer that darts into the road.
  
  

Identification

• Comprehensive insurance is normally purchased in tandem with collision coverage to form what is known as physical damage protection. Collision pays for accident-related damages to your vehicle. Both comprehensive and collision coverage come with separate deductibles, which is the amount you pay out of your pocket before coverage begins.
  
  

Considerations

• If your vehicle is older and of little value, you can probably get by without comprehensive coverage. The cost of the coverage may not justify what you'll actually receive in insurance benefits if your vehicle is damaged or stolen.