Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers | September 4, 2025 | Car Accidents
There are many different types of auto insurance available, and each type covers somewhat different scenarios, depending on the car accident you suffered. Collision and comprehensive coverage are two common types of automobile insurance, but there are some key differences between the two.
Dive into all the details below to learn more about collision and comprehensive coverage in Texas.
What Is Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage, as the name implies, covers damage to your vehicle after a car accident that you caused. Remember that if another driver causes the accident, they are responsible for the damage they caused to your vehicle. Their automobile liability insurance would cover the damages.
However, if you cause an accident, you would need collision coverage to pay for the repairs to your own vehicle. If you are hit by a driver without insurance coverage, your collision coverage does not pay for the damage. In that situation, you would need uninsured motorist coverage.
This is another type of coverage that can be added to your policy, and it is typically a good idea to have this coverage since there are so many uninsured drivers on the road.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Collision Coverage
The cost of collision coverage varies, depending on several factors. Some of those factors include:
- Your driving record
- Your car’s value
- Your location
- How common accidents are in your area
Typically, the policy limit on collision coverage is the actual cash value of your vehicle. This means that if your car is totaled, your collision coverage would pay for the total loss of your car.
What Is Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage also pays for damage to your car. However, comprehensive coverage applies to non-accident-related situations. Some common situations covered by comprehensive coverage include:
- Weather damage, such as a hailstorm, flooding, or a falling tree limb
- Fire damage
- Animal-related damage
Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage will also cover up to the actual cash value of your vehicle. For instance, if your car is totaled in a hailstorm, your comprehensive coverage would pay you for the value of your totaled car.
How Do Deductibles Work With Collision and Comprehensive Coverage
Both collision and comprehensive coverage have a deductible. The deductible reduces the amount that your insurance company has to pay you. Put another way, this is the portion of damage that is your responsibility when you file a claim.
Most deductibles fall somewhere between $100 and $1,000. In most cases, the lower your deductible, the higher your monthly premiums will be. Consider the following example.
Suppose your car is damaged by a falling tree limb. You file a claim with your insurance company, and the insurance adjuster estimates that the cost of repairs will be $4,000. If your deductible is $500, this means that the insurance company would be responsible for paying $3,500 to have your car repaired.
Are Collision and Comprehensive Coverages Required in Texas?
The law does not require you to carry either collision or comprehensive coverage in Texas. Only liability insurance is required by law. However, your auto lender will likely require you to carry both collision and comprehensive coverage.
If you have a car loan, you can expect to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage. Since your lender has a financial interest in your vehicle, you must carry both collision and comprehensive coverage, or “full coverage.”
If you fail to purchase this coverage, your lender will purchase it for you and add the cost to your monthly payments.
Cost of Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage
In most cases, comprehensive coverage is cheaper than collision coverage. This is because collisions are much more likely than weather-related damage or other non-accident-related damage.
The specific amount that you will pay will depend on your insurance company, your deductible, your driving history, and a few other factors.
Do I Need To Purchase Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?
Since collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by law in Texas, many people wonder whether they should purchase them. As previously mentioned, you will have to buy these coverages if you have a car loan. However, if your car is paid off, you have a choice.
Whether or not you should purchase this type of insurance depends on your personal situation. If your vehicle’s value is less than the amount of your premiums and deductible, it might not make sense to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. However, if your vehicle has a higher value, you likely should consider buying these coverages.
For help or advice, contact Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Houston personal injury attorney at (713) 500-5000.
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About the Author
Attorney Brian White is the founding partner of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers in Houston, TX. A graduate of Texas A&M University and South Texas College of Law, he is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law — a distinction held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys, with years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, maritime injuries, wrongful death, and more. He is dedicated to thorough preparation, strong advocacy, and helping accident victims secure the compensation they deserve.
Main Office Location: Houston, TX
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