What is comprehensive car insurance?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
Comprehensive car insurance is the part of your policy that pays for damage to your vehicle not caused by a collision. It covers theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, fire, floods, and animal strikes — and it is the coverage that pays for a cracked or broken windshield or car window. Glass damage is a comprehensive claim, subject to your deductible.
What does comprehensive mean on car insurance
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle when it is damaged by something other than a collision. Where collision coverage pays for damage from crashing into another vehicle or object, comprehensive pays for the rest — theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, fire, flood, and animal strikes. It is also the coverage that pays for a cracked or broken windshield or car window.
Glass damage is a comprehensive claim. A rock chip, a hail-hit windshield, or a side window broken in a break-in all fall under comprehensive coverage, subject to your deductible. Many insurers waive the deductible for a chip repair because it costs less than a full replacement. See our guide on whether insurance covers windshield replacement.
Comprehensive is sometimes called other-than-collision coverage because of what it pays for. A rock thrown up by the car ahead, a storm that drops a limb on the roof, a break-in that smashes a side window, and a deer that runs into the front end all fall under it. The common thread is that the damage happened to your vehicle without a crash you caused, which is why glass is one of the most common comprehensive claims drivers file.
Comprehensive is the coverage that pays for glass
If your policy carries comprehensive coverage, your windshield and car windows are covered for sudden damage, subject to your deductible. A liability-only policy will not cover your own glass. What you carry is set by your policy, so confirm your coverages with your insurer or agent.
What comprehensive insurance covers
- Theft and vandalism, including a side window broken in a break-in.
- Hail, falling objects such as tree limbs, and windstorm damage.
- Fire, floods, and other weather events that are not collisions.
- Animal strikes, such as hitting a deer on the road.
- Road debris and rock chips that crack the windshield.
- Glass damage of almost any kind, subject to your comprehensive deductible.
More questions about comprehensive coverage
What is comprehensive coverage on car insurance?
It is the part of your policy that pays for vehicle damage not caused by a collision — theft, hail, vandalism, fire, floods, falling objects, and animal strikes. It is also what covers a cracked windshield or broken car window, subject to your deductible.
Does comprehensive cover glass?
Yes. Glass damage is a comprehensive claim, whether it is a rock chip, a hail-hit windshield, or a side window broken in a break-in. A number of insurers waive the deductible on a chip repair. What your policy covers sets what applies, so confirm with your insurer.
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision?
Collision pays for damage from crashing into another vehicle or object. Comprehensive pays for almost everything else — theft, hail, vandalism, fire, and animal strikes. Glass damage is a comprehensive claim, not a collision one. See our comprehensive versus collision guide.
Related guides
More in Insurance and claims
- Does a windshield chip repair count as an insurance claim?
- What happens if you chip the windshield on a rental car?
- Is it worth paying cash for a windshield instead of filing a claim?
- Does insurance cover windshield replacement?
- Does liability insurance cover windshield damage?
- What is full glass coverage?
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