In Missouri, collision insurance covers damage when your car hits another vehicle or object, while comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision events like theft, weather damage, or animal strikes.
Neither coverage is required by Missouri law, but both are essential to protect your vehicle investment and are typically required if you have a car loan or lease.
Understanding these two types of coverage helps you make informed decisions about your auto insurance policy. Many Missouri drivers don’t realize the difference until they need to file a claim, which can lead to confusion about which coverage applies to their specific situation.
What Is Collision Coverage
Collision coverage is insurance that pays to fix your car after a crash. This means if you hit another car, slide into a guardrail, or roll your vehicle, collision insurance covers the repair costs.
Your collision coverage works whether you caused the accident or not. It also applies if the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene.
Here’s what collision insurance typically covers:
- Vehicle crashes: Accidents with other cars, trucks, or motorcycles.
- Single-car accidents: Rolling over or losing control of your vehicle.
- Stationary objects: Hitting poles, buildings, guardrails, or fences.
- Road hazards: Damage from major potholes or debris.
The key point is that collision coverage applies only when your car physically hits another object. If a tree falls on your parked car, that’s not collision damage.
What Missouri Drivers Learn in Minutes
Missouri law says that you must have liability and uninsured motorist coverage, but you don’t have to protect your own car from damage. Knowing the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance will help you be ready for the costs of an accident or other unexpected event.
If your car hits another vehicle or a stationary object such as a guardrail, tree, or light pole, collision insurance will pay to repair or replace it. No matter who caused the accident, this coverage applies.
Most lenders will require you to have collision insurance if you are currently financing or leasing your car, even though the state doesn’t require it.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that isn’t caused by a normal traffic accident. This includes theft, vandalism, fire, and weather events such as hail or flooding.
In Missouri, hitting an animal, such as a deer, is considered comprehensive coverage rather than collision coverage. This is an optional but highly recommended layer of protection for newer or high-value cars, just like collision insurance.
What Is Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for vehicle damage that doesn’t involve a collision. This means protection against events that are largely outside your control.
Insurance companies sometimes refer to this as “other than collision” coverage. It fills the gaps that collision insurance doesn’t cover.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from:
- Theft and vandalism: Someone steals your car or breaks your windows.
- Weather events: Hail, floods, tornadoes, and wind damage are common in Missouri.
- Animal strikes: Hitting deer, which happens frequently on Missouri roads.
- Falling objects: Tree branches, rocks, or debris hitting your car.
- Fire damage: Vehicle fires caused by mechanical issues or other factors.
Missouri’s weather patterns make comprehensive coverage especially valuable. Our state sees severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and ice storms that can damage vehicles.
Collision vs Comprehensive Differences
The main difference between collision and comprehensive coverage is the cause of the damage. Collision covers crashes, while comprehensive covers almost everything else.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Missouri Examples |
| Collision | Your car hitting objects | Rear-ending someone in Kansas City traffic, sliding into a ditch on icy I-70 |
| Comprehensive | Non-crash damage | Hail damage in Springfield, deer strike near Branson, car stolen in St. Louis |
Both coverages protect your vehicle, but they work in different situations. You can have one without the other, though most people choose both for complete protection.
Your deductible applies to both coverages separately. This means you could pay two deductibles if your car suffers both collision and comprehensive damage in the same incident.
Are Collision or Comprehensive Required in Missouri
Missouri law doesn’t require collision or comprehensive insurance. Since Missouri is an at-fault state, the state only mandates liability coverage, which pays for damage you cause to other people and their property.
However, not being legally required doesn’t mean you won’t need these coverages. Many situations make collision and comprehensive insurance practically necessary.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender will require both coverages. This requirement protects their financial interest in your car until you have paid off the loan in full.
When Lenders Require Collision and Comprehensive
Auto lenders and leasing companies almost always require collision and comprehensive coverage. They do this because they hold a lien on your vehicle until you complete payment.
Without these coverages, a totaled car could leave you owing money on a vehicle you can’t drive. Understanding vehicle total-loss laws helps explain why the lender would also lose its collateral on the loan.
This requirement stays in place until you pay off your loan completely. Once you own the car outright, you can choose whether to keep these coverages based on your needs and budget.
Most loan agreements specify minimum coverage amounts and maximum deductibles. Breaking these requirements could put you in default on your loan, even if you make all your payments.
What Full Coverage Means in Missouri
“Full coverage” isn’t an official insurance term, but most people use it to describe a complete auto policy. This typically means having liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage together.
A full coverage policy in Missouri usually includes:
- Liability coverage: Required by state law to cover damage you cause to others.
- Collision coverage: Pays for crash damage to your vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers non-crash damage to your car.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Also required in Missouri, protects you from uninsured drivers.
Some people also include medical payments coverage or rental car coverage in their definition of full coverage. The exact combination depends on your needs and your lender’s requirements.
Deductibles for Collision and Comprehensive
A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance starts covering a claim. You choose separate deductible amounts for collision and comprehensive coverage.
Common deductible options include $250, $500, $1,000, and sometimes higher amounts. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums but more money out of your pocket when you file a claim.
For example, if you have a $500 collision deductible and $2,000 in crash damage, you pay $500 and insurance covers the remaining $1,500 once insurance adjusters approve your claim. Choose deductibles you can afford to pay in an emergency.
Many people choose different deductible amounts for collision and comprehensive. You might pick a lower comprehensive deductible since those claims are often for events beyond your control.
Cost of Collision vs Comprehensive in Missouri
Collision coverage typically costs more than comprehensive in Missouri. This happens because collision claims are more frequent and often involve expensive repairs.
Several factors affect your premium costs:
- Your location: Urban areas such as St. Louis and Kansas City typically have higher rates.
- Vehicle value: Newer, more expensive cars cost more to insure.
- Your driving record: Accidents and tickets increase collision costs.
- Chosen deductibles: Higher deductibles lower your premiums.
Comprehensive costs can vary based on your area’s weather patterns and crime rates. Rural areas with higher deer populations might see higher overall rates of animal strikes.
Shopping around with different insurance companies can help you find better rates. Each company weighs these factors differently when calculating your premium.
When to Drop or Keep Coverage in Missouri
The “10% rule” helps you decide when to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. If your annual premium exceeds 10% of your car’s value, the coverage may not be worth keeping.
For example, if your car is worth $3,000 and your coverage costs $400 per year, you’re paying more than 10% of the car’s value. At this point, you might consider dropping the coverage and setting aside funds for repairs.
Consider these factors when making your decision:
- Can you afford to replace your car? If losing your vehicle would create financial hardship, keep the coverage.
- How much would repairs cost? Even minor accidents can cost thousands to fix.
- What’s your financial situation? Having an emergency fund changes your risk tolerance.
Remember, you can’t add collision or comprehensive coverage after an accident happens. Once you drop it, you’ll need to wait for your next policy renewal to add it back.
Which Coverage Applies in Common Missouri Scenarios
Understanding which coverage handles different situations helps you know what to expect when filing a claim.
Deer and Wildlife Collisions
Hitting a deer or other animal is covered by comprehensive insurance, not collision. Missouri has one of the highest rates of deer-vehicle crashes in the country, making this coverage especially important here.
The reasoning is that animals are unpredictable hazards, similar to weather events. You can’t control when a deer runs into the road, so it’s treated as a comprehensive claim.
Hail, Tornado, Falling Debris
Weather damage falls under comprehensive coverage. Missouri’s location in “Tornado Alley” makes severe weather a real concern for drivers.
Hail can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your vehicle in just minutes. Comprehensive coverage protects you from sudden, uncontrollable events common in our state.
Potholes, Curbs, Guardrails
Damage from hitting potholes, curbs, or guardrails is covered by your collision coverage. These are considered single-vehicle accidents where your car struck an object.
Missouri’s freeze-thaw cycles create numerous potholes each spring. Even hitting a large pothole can damage your tires, wheels, or suspension components.
Hit and Run Property Damage
If someone hits your parked car and drives away, you’ll typically use collision coverage for the repairs. This applies when you can’t identify the other driver.
Some policies include uninsured motorist property damage coverage, which might also apply to hit-and-run situations. Check your specific policy to understand which coverage applies.
Filing a Claim After a Missouri Crash
Knowing which coverage to use is just the first step. Understanding the claims process helps you get your car repaired quickly.
Not at Fault and Using Collision
Even when another driver causes the crash, you can use your own collision coverage to start repairs immediately rather than deciding between an insurance claim or lawsuit against the other driver. This gets you back on the road faster than waiting for the other driver’s insurance.
Your insurance company will then pursue reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurer through a process called subrogation. If they recover the money, you might get your deductible back.
At Fault and Using Your Coverage
When you are involved in an accident, your collision coverage pays for your vehicle’s damage, minus your deductible. The other driver’s damage gets covered by your liability insurance, though comparative negligence rules may apply if both drivers share fault.
Comprehensive claims work similarly for covered events. You pay your deductible, and insurance handles the rest up to your vehicle’s actual cash value.
How We Help After a Missouri Crash
Insurance coverage for your vehicle is important, but it doesn’t cover everything after a serious accident. Collision and comprehensive insurance won’t pay for your medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we focus exclusively on auto accident cases in Missouri. We understand how insurance companies work and fight to get you full compensation for all your losses, not just vehicle damage.
Our experienced team handles the complex negotiations with insurance companies while you focus on recovery. We know the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts and how to counter them effectively.
We provide experienced, personalized legal representation for Missouri accident victims. Our family-run firm treats every case personally, ensuring you’re never just another number.
Specializing in Missouri Auto Accident Law Since 1990
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, don’t face the insurance companies alone. The other driver’s insurance company isn’t looking out for your best interests, even if they seem helpful at first.
Our Missouri auto accident law firm offers free consultations to review your case and explain your options. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
Our attorneys are available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through the legal process. We handle everything so you can focus on getting better.
Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers today to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait, as Missouri law limits how long you have to file a claim.
FAQ
Is Hitting a Deer Comprehensive or Collision in Missouri?
Hitting a deer is covered under comprehensive insurance, not collision. Animal strikes are unpredictable events beyond your control, similar to weather-related damage.
Do Comprehensive Claims Raise Rates More Than Collision?
Collision claims, especially when you’re at fault, typically raise your rates more than comprehensive claims. Comprehensive events are usually beyond your control, so insurers don’t penalize you as much.
Can I Carry Collision Without Comprehensive?
Yes, you can buy collision coverage without comprehensive insurance. However, most lenders require both coverages if you have a car loan or lease.
Does Collision Cover Pothole Damage in Missouri?
Yes, damage from hitting a pothole is covered by collision insurance. It’s treated as a single-vehicle accident where your car struck a road hazard.
What Does Full Coverage Include in Missouri?
Full coverage typically includes state-required liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage. Some people also add medical payments or rental car coverage.
If I’m Not at Fault, Should I File a Collision Claim or Wait?
You can use your collision coverage immediately to get repairs started, even if you weren’t at fault. Your insurance company will seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurer, and you may be reimbursed for your deductible.
