Which Companies Have the Best Comprehensive Car Insurance?

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Written by Nick Versaw Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated December 20, 2022

Choosing a car insurance policy starts with picking the right coverage for your needs. In many cases, you’ll want comprehensive car insurance to protect you if your vehicle gets stolen or damaged in a natural disaster.

Here’s everything you need to know about what comprehensive car insurance covers and how to find the best auto insurance policy for your needs.

What Is Comprehensive Insurance?

Liability insurance covers damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or property, and collision insurance covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident. So what’s the purpose of having comprehensive car insurance coverage too?

Comprehensive insurance covers things that aren’t directly related to a car accident, such as damage to your vehicle due to:

• Theft or vandalism
• Natural disasters (i.e., floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, or hailstorms)
• Rocks or trees falling on your car
• Animal damage (such as hitting a deer)
• Satellite, asteroid, and meteor damage
• Fires or explosions

This isn’t an exhaustive list, and you’ll want to double-check your policy before filing a comprehensive claim, but many non-collision-related incidents are covered.

That said, even the best comprehensive auto insurance policy won’t cover absolutely everything. Here are some situations that aren’t included:

• Loss of personal possessions
• Normal wear and tear
• Mechanical breakdowns
• Sub-zero temperatures
• Vehicle modifications

If you aren’t sure how comprehensive insurance works, ask your insurance provider to clarify their coverage options before taking out a comprehensive policy.

Do You Need Comprehensive Car Insurance?

Since it offers more protection, the average cost of comprehensive insurance is more than liability coverage on its own. Is it worth paying higher premiums for a better auto insurance policy, or should you get the cheapest car insurance you can find?

That depends on the value of your vehicle, your lifestyle, and other personal factors. If you drive a used car that wouldn’t cost much to replace, then having a comprehensive car insurance policy may be unnecessary.

On the other hand, if you use your car for higher-risk activities, you might need additional add-ons, such as rideshare insurance or off-road coverage.

Other insurance options include roadside assistance, underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, and new car replacement.

Best Comprehensive Car Insurance Companies

Comprehensive car insurance coverage isn’t a niche type of coverage, so most major auto insurance companies offer it. That means the best car insurance company for you will depend on other factors, such as their auto insurance rates, customer satisfaction levels, and car insurance discounts.

Here are picks for the best comprehensive car insurance companies to consider when shopping around for auto insurance quotes:

1. Nationwide

Nationwide offers all major types of car insurance coverage, including property damage liability, bodily injury liability, and personal injury protection (PIP). The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4/5-star rating on Clearsurance.

The average rate for liability-only insurance with Nationwide is $112 per month, while full coverage (which includes comprehensive coverage) costs an average of $229.

You can also customize your comprehensive insurance coverage to suit your budget. If you want a lower monthly premium, you can set a high comprehensive deductible, such as $1,000. And if the actual cash value of your car is less than the amount left on your loan, you can get gap insurance to make up the difference.

2. Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual has an A+ BBB rating and a J.D. Power ranking of 877/1,000, making it one of the highest-rated car insurance providers in the U.S. The company also offers a wide range of other insurance products, including renter’s and homeowner’s insurance, motorcycle insurance, classic car insurance, and more.

Liberty Mutual offers policyholders a discount for using the RightTrack mobile app and a discount for taking out multiple policies or home insurance.

When it comes to comprehensive coverage, you can set your own deductible amount and contribute to a “deductible fund” to lower your deductible over time.

3. Travelers

Travelers Insurance has an A++ rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from the BBB, suggesting a high level of financial stability and customer satisfaction.

Their comprehensive coverage options are fairly standard, covering theft, vandalism, and severe weather events. Other add-ons include gap insurance coverage, new car replacement, roadside assistance, and accident forgiveness.

Policyholders with a clean driving record and no at-fault accidents can get a Safe Driver discount. Travelers also offers great deals for young drivers, including a Driver Training discount, a Good Student discount, and a Student Away at School discount.

4. AAA

The American Automobile Association is known for its roadside assistance program, but it also offers auto insurance coverage to its members. AAA has a reliable reputation with an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.1/5-star rating on Clearsurance.

Policy options vary from state to state, and AAA may not offer the best rates if you’re looking for cheap car insurance. In fact, the average rate for full coverage insurance with AAA is $459 versus $169 for liability-only coverage.

Your actual rates will depend on your location, driving history, and in some states, your credit score. But policyholders can benefit from multiple discounts, such as an original owner discount, a verified mileage discount, and an anti-theft device discount.

5. Erie 

Erie Insurance is only available in some states, but it’s one of the best comprehensive car insurance options for those drivers. One of its best features is its new and used car replacement policy: If your car is totaled, you may be eligible to get a newer model or a comparable replacement model, depending on your policy.

Optional coverage types include rental car coverage, rideshare insurance, and roadside assistance. You’ll also get pet insurance coverage standard with any policy.

Erie Insurance has a 4.28 rating on Clearsurance and is registered with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in the state of Pennsylvania.

Check Your Car Insurance Rates Today

Comprehensive car insurance coverage is optional for most drivers unless your lender requires it. This type of auto insurance covers theft, vandalism, and other incidents unrelated to collision damage, so it may be worth having on your policy. Although it might result in higher monthly premiums, you can keep them low by qualifying for car insurance discounts or choosing a higher deductible.

The best way to find low rates for comprehensive car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple providers before you choose a policy. Compare.com makes it easy with our online comparison tool for car insurance coverage of all kinds.

Enter your ZIP code here to view multiple car insurance quotes side-by-side:

Nick Versaw Insurance Managing Editor

Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.