No. Even a fully comprehensive policy does not cover standard mechanical breakdowns or normal wear and tear. Comprehensive insurance covers specific unexpected events like theft, fire, or weather damage.
While comprehensive cover may provide everything you need, there are additional features and benefits that may not be included with your policy including breakdown cover, legal cover or courtesy cars.
A $1,000 deductible is generally better for your wallet if you have a solid emergency fund and a clean driving record. It saves you on your monthly premium. However, a $500 deductible is safer if your savings are limited or you commute heavily in high-traffic areas.
What damage is not covered by comprehensive coverage? Comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by hitting another vehicle or object. These incidents are covered under collision coverage. Normal wear and tear on your vehicle is also not covered by comprehensive car insurance.
Collision with a deer: If you hit a deer and damaged mechanical parts in the front of your car, your comprehensive coverage may pay to repair the damage. Car breaks down: Whether you're on a road trip or headed to work, car insurance doesn't typically cover breakdowns not related to covered accidents.
Damage Due to Mechanical Failures or Lack of Maintenance
Car insurance policies generally don't cover damages caused by mechanical breakdowns or poor maintenance. For example, if your car's engine fails due to lack of regular servicing or if you drive with worn-out brake pads, your insurance won't pay for repairs.
Most breakdown cover policies have no excess, so roadside assistance and vehicle recovery come at no extra cost.
Comprehensive insurance doesn't cover damage caused by a collision. It may not be necessary to have for an older car with high mileage. Comprehensive insurance doesn't cover anything personal stolen from your car. It doesn't cover damage due to potholes.
Raising your car insurance deductible can lower your rates. You can typically choose a deductible between $250 to $2,000, but it's important to strike a balance between what you can afford for a premium and your out-of-pocket cost to file a claim. Raising your car insurance deductible typically lowers your premium.
When dealing with an insurance company, avoid over-explaining or volunteering unprompted details, as adjusters look for statements to minimize or deny payouts. Stick strictly to the facts, and never admit fault, guess about events, or downplay injuries, especially immediately after an accident.
The benefits of a high-deductible versus a low-deductible medical plan. In 2026, health insurance plans with deductibles over $1,700 for an individual and $3,400 for a family are considered high-deductible plans.
Generally, we recommend $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 and for people who own a home the recommended amount is $100,000/$300,000/$100,000. Below are some rates for an insurance policy with liability limits set at 100/300/100.
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest of a claim. Suppose your car repair costs $2,000 and your deductible is $500. You will pay $500, and your insurance pays the remaining $1,500.
In most cases, towing after an accident is covered under comprehensive car insurance. If you are involved in a collision and your vehicle is unsafe or undriveable, insurers generally arrange or reimburse towing to the nearest repairer or holding yard.
Best Roadside Assistance Companies
Having a fully comprehensive insurance policy does not automatically mean you can drive any car.
California: Wawanesa. Central: Shelter. Florida: State Farm. Mid-Atlantic: Erie Insurance.
How to Intimidate the Insurance Adjuster
The $3000 rule in automotive ownership refers to two main financial benchmarks: when deciding to replace an aging vehicle and how to budget for a used car down payment.
No, a $0 deductible does not mean care is completely free. It simply means your insurance starts paying for covered expenses right away without you having to pay an upfront out-of-pocket amount first.
While 100,000 miles has traditionally been the cutoff for high mileage, modern vehicles frequently last over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. The "too high" threshold is generally around 150,000–200,000 miles, but the car’s service history, maintenance, and driving conditions (highway vs. city) are more critical indicators of longevity than the odometer reading.
The age premium curve: When car insurance is the most expensive and cheapest in your lifetime. Car insurance costs follow a predictable curve for most drivers. Prices start high for teenagers, then drop after 25, reach their lowest at age 60, and then rise again.
Your vehicle holds a low value: As with collision, consider dropping comprehensive coverage if your vehicle's market value is lower than a few thousand dollars. Figure in your deductible as well and the potential insurance payout may not be worth the price of the coverage.
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