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Collision coverage

Pays toward repairing or replacing your vehicle after a crash, subject to a deductible.

Educational only. PolicyPlain does not sell insurance and does not provide insurance, legal, or financial advice. Coverage rules and prices vary by state and insurer. Read our full disclaimer.

Plain definition

Collision coverage insures your vehicle against damage from contact with another vehicle or object, or from rollovers, minus your collision deductible. It is usually optional unless a lender requires it.

Why it matters

Without collision, you self-fund repairs after at-fault crashes or single-car accidents. Deductible choice directly trades premium against out-of-pocket repair costs.

Example

You hit a guardrail. Collision pays covered repair costs above your $1,000 deductible if the claim is approved.

Common misunderstanding

Collision is not liability—it does not pay the other driver’s damages. It is also separate from comprehensive (theft, hail, animal strikes).

Policy language always controls. This is educational content, not advice. See our disclaimer.