Category: Auto Insurance

Only if you carry rental reimbursement coverage. It pays for a rental while your car is repaired after a covered claim.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

How it works

• Applies after a covered claim.
• Pays a daily amount up to a cap.

If the other driver is at fault

You may claim a rental through their liability insurance instead.

Frequently asked questions

Automatic?

No — you need rental reimbursement coverage.

During maintenance?

No — only covered-claim repairs.

The bottom line

A rental during repairs is covered only with rental reimbursement (or an at-fault driver’s insurance).

Related guides

• Does My Insurance Cover a Rental Car?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Car insurance does not cover engine failure from wear or breakdown — only if a covered event like a crash or flood caused it.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Not covered

• An engine that fails from age or mileage.
• Transmission and mechanical failures.

Covered

• Engine damage from a covered crash or flood.

Frequently asked questions

Does full coverage cover it?

No — ‘full coverage’ excludes mechanical breakdown.

What covers breakdowns?

Mechanical breakdown insurance or a warranty.

The bottom line

Standard insurance never covers a worn-out engine — you need MBI or a warranty.

Related guides

• Does Car Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

In the U.S., your existing car insurance usually extends to a rental with the same coverage you carry, and many credit cards add coverage.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Your policy

Liability, comprehensive, and collision generally follow you into a rental for personal use.

When to buy the rental company’s

• You don’t have your own policy.
• Traveling internationally.
• To avoid a claim on your own policy.

Frequently asked questions

Does liability cover a rental?

Yes, typically, in the U.S.

Rentals abroad?

Usually not — buy coverage.

The bottom line

Domestically, your policy and credit card often cover you; internationally, buy coverage.

Related guides

• Does American Express Cover Rental Car Insurance?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Comprehensive car insurance covers flood damage to your vehicle — unlike homeowners insurance, cars are covered for floods.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Covered

• Flooded engine and electronics.
• Interior water damage.
• A submerged car.

The catch

You must carry comprehensive. If totaled, you’re paid actual cash value.

Frequently asked questions

Covered without comprehensive?

No.

What if totaled?

Paid ACV; gap insurance covers any loan shortfall.

The bottom line

Comprehensive covers vehicle flood damage — carry it if you’re in a flood-prone area.

Related guides

• Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage, Explained

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Hitting a deer is covered by comprehensive car insurance, not collision. If you swerve and hit a tree, that’s a collision claim.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Why comprehensive

Animal strikes are non-crash events under comprehensive.

Deer vs swerving

Hit the deer → comprehensive. Swerve into a tree → collision.

Frequently asked questions

Does it raise rates?

Less likely than at-fault crashes.

Police report?

Helpful for larger claims.

The bottom line

Hitting a deer is comprehensive; swerving into something is collision.

Related guides

• Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage, Explained

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Comprehensive covers a broken windshield, and many policies or states waive the deductible for glass repair.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Which coverage

Glass damage falls under comprehensive.

Repair vs replace

• Small chips — often repaired, deductible waived.
• Large cracks — replacement, subject to deductible.

Frequently asked questions

Does a glass claim raise rates?

Usually not.

Is chip repair free?

Often, if your policy waives the glass deductible.

The bottom line

Comprehensive covers your windshield, and glass repair is often free — fix chips early.

Related guides

• Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Comprehensive car insurance covers vandalism — keyed paint, slashed tires, broken windows — minus your deductible.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

What counts

• Keyed or spray-painted panels.
• Slashed tires.
• Smashed windows.

Filing

1. File a police report.
2. Photograph the damage.
3. Open a comprehensive claim.

Frequently asked questions

Is a keyed car covered?

Yes, under comprehensive.

Deductible?

Usually yes.

The bottom line

Comprehensive covers vandalism; document it and file a police report.

Related guides

• Does Car Insurance Cover a Broken Windshield?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Car insurance covers theft of the car and its attached parts — but personal items stolen from inside are covered by home or renters insurance, not auto.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Auto covers

The vehicle and attached parts (catalytic converter, wheels, factory stereo) under comprehensive.

Home/renters covers

Loose personal items — laptop, phone, bag — under personal property coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Stolen car parts?

Comprehensive.

Stolen phone from the car?

A home/renters claim.

The bottom line

Car and parts = auto; personal items inside = home/renters. You may file two claims.

Related guides

• Does Renters Insurance Cover Stolen Items From Your Car?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Comprehensive car insurance covers a stolen car and pays its actual cash value, minus your deductible.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

How the payout works

Insurers pay the car’s market value at the time of theft. If you owe more, gap insurance covers the difference.

The process

1. File a police report.
2. Notify your insurer.
3. If not recovered, you’re paid ACV minus deductible.

Frequently asked questions

What if it’s found damaged?

Comprehensive covers repairs.

Owe more than it’s worth?

Only gap insurance covers that.

The bottom line

Comprehensive makes you whole at cash value — add gap insurance if you’re financing.

Related guides

• Does Car Insurance Cover Theft From a Car?

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.

Comprehensive car insurance covers hail damage, minus your deductible. Liability and collision do not.

By the Home & Dime Editorial Team · Last updated 2026

Why comprehensive

Hail is a weather event, not a collision, so it falls under comprehensive.

What it covers

• Dented panels, hood, roof.
• Cracked glass.

Frequently asked questions

Does liability cover hail?

No — only comprehensive.

Will it raise my rates?

Weather claims are less likely to than at-fault crashes.

The bottom line

Carry comprehensive and hail is covered; without it, repairs are out of pocket.

Related guides

• Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage, Explained

Sources: Insurance Information Institute (iii.org); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; FEMA; state Departments of Insurance. General information, not insurance advice.