Fully comprehensive or partially comprehensive

Which insurance is right for you and your car?

With these tips, you can find out which insurance is worthwhile for your car and what you should look out for.

Difference between fully comprehensive and partially comprehensive insurance
While liability insurance covers damage to third parties, comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your own car.

The difference between the benefits of fully comprehensive and partially comprehensive is:
- Motor vehicle partial coverage: it pays for damage caused by external factors.
- Motor vehicle fully comprehensive insurance: It pays for damage caused to your car by you or third parties (e.g. vandalism).

What partial coverage pays (benefits)

Partial casco covers damage caused by external factors, such as the weather. The following damage is already covered by partial casco:
Damage caused by game
Partial cover pays for damage to your vehicle in the event of a wildlife accident.

This includes, but is not limited to:
- Red deer
- Roe deer
- lynx
- fox
- badger
- bison
- Elk deer

Here's a tip: basic partial coverage insurance generally does not cover marten damage or other animal bites.

Breakage of glazing

In addition to accidents, stone chips and hail are the most common causes of glass damage.

Because drivers and vehicle owners are rarely able to protect their cars against this, it is worth taking out partial cover insurance in this case. After all, a new windshield usually costs between $400 and $800. With comprehensive insurance, you only pay your deductible (for example, $150), and the insurance company takes care of the rest.

Elemental damage

As a general rule, in the case of natural hazards, the insurance company will only cover the costs if it can be proven that the weather caused the damage. This requires, for example, confirmation from the weather office. The extent of payment for vehicle parts or accessories depends on the respective insurance company.
Here, the partial casco normally only covers the costs for direct damage. It then pays for repair costs, for example (minus the deductible).
However, the prerequisite for this is that

- you did not cause the damage yourself due to the storm,
- you inform your insurance company immediately so that they can commission an expert and
- the storm damage was caused by at least wind force seven.

The scope of benefits usually includes damage caused by roof tiles, falling branches or fallen trees. The exact conditions and details are usually specified in your insurance terms and conditions.
Theft

If individual items are stolen from your car, the insurance only pays for those that are an integral part of the vehicle, i.e. permanently mounted in it. This includes for example
- permanently installed navigation systems,
- built-in radios or even
- steering wheels.

In most cases, accessories are only insured if they are permitted in traffic and serve the use of the vehicle. In the case of sunglasses, laptops or smartphones, partial casco generally does not pay. In such a case, you should check whether your household insurance covers the cost of the items.

The following items are insured under the partial cover:
- Warning triangle
- first aid kit
- standard tools

A detailed description of the insured items can often be found in your insurance conditions.
Short circuit, fire & explosion

Some insurance providers also cover short circuits, fire and explosions as part of the partial cover insurance. Whether or under which conditions your insurer is liable for such damages is usually stated in your insurance contract.
You should be aware of this: Martens can cause short circuits by biting cables. For marten damage, partial cover insurance usually only pays within an extended tariff.
What fully comprehensive insurance pays (benefits)
Fully comprehensive insurance pays for all benefits that are also included in partial comprehensive insurance. In addition, these benefits are included:
Own damage

Fully comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own car, for example if you hit a post. However, if you cause such damage under the influence of alcohol or drugs, comprehensive insurance will not pay.

Damage caused by third parties

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you are dependent on the protection of comprehensive insurance. Neither the partial cover nor the motor vehicle liability insurance will cover the damage in such a case.
Even if the person responsible can be identified, this does not mean that the damage will automatically be paid: After all, if he himself is uninsured or insolvent, covering the costs becomes a protracted affair. In such a case, you are protected if you notify the comprehensive insurance company of the damage in good time.

Vandalism

The comprehensive insurance covers almost all damages caused by vandalism. It does not matter whether the damage is to the bodywork or scratches in the paintwork.
You should know that: In the case of tire damage caused by vandalism, comprehensive insurance does not usually cover the costs. This is mainly because insurers want to prevent insurance fraud.

Fully comprehensive or partially comprehensive: What is worthwhile for my car?
Whether fully comprehensive or partially comprehensive insurance makes more sense for you depends primarily on the value of your vehicle:
New cars, less than 7 years old

Especially for new cars that are up to seven years old, fully comprehensive insurance is worthwhile. It includes all the benefits of partial casco and also pays for vandalism or self-inflicted damage to your own vehicle.
Car worth more than $1,000, older than 7 years
Partial coverage insurance is generally a good idea for any vehicle owner because it covers damage that the driver has little or no control over. This includes storm damage, for example.

If such damage occurs, the upcoming repair is often more expensive than the annual partial cover premium. However, if you own a vehicle that is worth less than $1,000, you should consider whether third-party car insurance is enough for you.
2 Saving tips for fully comprehensive and partially comprehensive insurance
Premium amounts for comprehensive insurance can range from $500 to $1,400 per year.
However, exactly how much you have to pay for your car insurance always depends on various points, such as the type class and regional class for your car, the amount of the deductible or your no-claims bonus (only for comprehensive insurance).

With these two tips you can reduce the costs:
1. use workshop commitment: If you agree to have comprehensive damage to your car repaired in an authorized workshop of the insurer, the insurance company will usually grant you a premium discount.
2. High deductible for comprehensive insurance: Damages up to 1,300 dollars should normally be paid by yourself for comprehensive insurance so that you do not jeopardize your no-claims bonus. The higher deductible reduces the comprehensive insurance premium.