If you apply Murphy's Law to your car, you will quickly see the need for comprehensive auto insurance. We all know the risks that exist on the roads today. You can be the most cautious driver, defensively watching out for the next guy, and Boom, somebody comes out of nowhere and clobbers your car. Or, you are happily driving along, minding your own business, carrying on an engrossing cell phone conversation when, Pow, you don't see that mailbox on the curb, and you send it sailing. These are two perfectly good circumstances when collision insurance can come to your rescue. What about situations when it is not another driver, or ourselves colliding?

Car Damage Caused By "An Act Of God"

You know that poor cartoon guy, walking around with his private thundercloud hovering over his head? Well, think of the same condition involving your car. You have to leave it out on the street when you go to work, vulnerable to the elements, a hailstorm strikes, or a tree branch is blown down. The poor car doesn't stand a chance without you there to protect it. Next thing you know, your poor sedan has that dimpled look, sort of like a golf ball, or worse, the tree branch plunges right through your roof. Comprehensive auto insurance to the rescue.

Collision Or Comprehensive Coverage?

While all drivers are required by law to carry some minimum level of collision insurance, comprehensive insurance is optional. You park your car in a garage both at home and work, never leaving it outside for very long. Why bother with comprehensive auto coverage? Other things can occur to pop that false sense of security such as flood, fire, theft, or vandalism. Your car can be the victim of a hit and run, where the perpetrator crashes into your vehicle and drives away without leaving his name, phone number, or apology. Fortunately, you have some recourse with comprehensive auto coverage.

Coverage When Buying A New Car

There is one circumstance when you may be required to purchase comprehensive auto insurance. When you finance a new car, the lender usually will insist on full coverage to protect his collateral, that shiny new car. If the repo man has to pay you a visit, retrieving anything but a showroom shiny and intact car will make the big hairy guy angry. Depending on where you live and other circumstances, the breadth and scope of a comprehensive auto policy may include or exclude things like recovering for damage due to flooding, fire, earthquake, mudslide, or locusts. Check the fine print of any policy before you buy.