What Is Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another vehicle or object (a pole, a guardrail), regardless of fault. You pay the deductible and the insurer covers the rest up to the car’s actual cash value. On an older car worth little, the premium may exceed the likely payout.
Why it matters
It is the half of "physical damage" coverage that responds to your car in a crash; comprehensive handles everything else.
Common confusion
Collision does not pay for the other driver’s car — that is liability. It also does not cover theft or weather (that is comprehensive).
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drop collision on an old car?
A common rule: if the annual premium plus deductible exceeds the car’s value, dropping it may make sense, assuming you could absorb the loss.
Does collision cover pothole damage?
Often yes, if it damages the car — though some insurers treat severe pothole strikes as collision and others may dispute causation.