What is Comprehensive Insurance Coverage?

When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, there can be a lot of confusion and gray areas. With all the different coverage options, deductibles, and premiums, it can be hard to know which is the best choice for you.

What coverage options are available?

For auto insurance, there are 4 coverage options in addition to the mandatory liability coverage. This includes all perils, collision, comprehensive and specified perils. For more information about these types of coverage, check out our blog where we discuss the difference between all perils and specified perils.

So what exactly is comprehensive coverage?

Comprehensive coverage provides protection against every peril included in the specified perils coverage, as well as all other perils excluding collision with another object. Usually, comprehensive coverage is purchased in conjunction with collision coverage, but they may be obtained separately.

Specified perils include:

• Fire

• Lightening

• Explosion

• Stranding, sinking, burning, derailment or collision of any conveyance in or upon which the automobile is being transported on land or water

• Theft or attempted theft

• Earthquake

• Riot or civil commotion

• Windstorm

• Hail

• Falling or forced landing or aircraft or of parts thereof

• Rising water

Basically, accidents that are not driving related will be covered with comprehensive insurance. If you purchased comprehensive coverage in Alberta, your vehicle will be repaired or replaced up to its total value.

What is not covered by comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance in Alberta will not cover things like medical bills and bodily injuries; this would be covered by the mandatory liability insurance. Comprehensive insurance will also not cover damage caused by collision with another vehicle; this is why many people choose to purchase collision coverage in addition to comprehensive.

Should I get comprehensive coverage?

Many people choose not to purchase comprehensive coverage in order to keep their premiums lower. However, there are several reasons why you might want to consider getting comprehensive insurance for your vehicle:

• You own a luxury vehicle that is difficult or expensive to repair, or if you cannot afford the cost of repairing your vehicle

• You live in an area that is frequently hit by wind or hailstorms

• You finance a vehicle and are required by the lessor to purchase full coverage

We always recommend talking to an experienced broker so you can get a full understanding of what type of coverage is best for you.

We hope that you learned a little bit about comprehensive insurance in Alberta today, and as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!