When browsing through the wide variety of insurance quotes available, it's easy to be confused by the different types and what they entail. But one important distinction to keep in mind is that between standard car insurance and comprehensive car insurance. The difference is important and could have a significant impact on your future if you choose hastily.

Basically, standard auto insurance often covers damage or loss that can be blamed on somebody, namely auto theft and road accidents. Things like "acts of god", occurrences that are out of the control of any person, are probably not covered. For example, if your car is washed down the street and smashed into a tree during a flood, it's probably not covered. If your car is destroyed

in an Earthquake or Hurricane it is probably not covered.

Similarly, vandalism and non-moving accidents are often not covered. If an unknown troublemaker spraypaints your car or smashes your windshield, your insurance will likely not cover it . If a stray baseball from the neighbourhood park smashed your windshield, it's probably not covered.

 Comprehensive car insurance, however, in theory covers literally everything. It covers road accidents and auto theft of course, but also vandalism, acts of god,

non-moving accidents, fire, and even damage done by animals. So if a hungry bear rips apart your car looking for your edible camping supplies, your coverage will

pay for that damage. It really is comprehensive coverage. However, in different places what insurance covers may not be exactly the same, so I encourage you

to read the fine print.

With comprehensive insurance you can normally keep your premiums low by choosing a higher deductible in case of a claim. If you are only worried about

serious damage or destruction of your automobile, then you can probably choose a higher deductible. If you think there is a risk of frequent minor

damage to your vehicle, for example if you live in a high crime neighbourhood, then maybe a lower deductible with a higher monthly premium is reasonable.

 But repeated claims will probably make your premiums increase anyway, so the best plan is to set your deductible as high as you can afford in the

event of a claim.

 One factor that may influence whether you choose comprehensive insurance or not is the value of your car. If your car is a junk heap that's worth only

a few hundred dollars, then there isn't much point in paying higher premiums to cover every kind of possible damage. The potential loss is low, so

in that case the most important coverage is accident coverage so that you won't be held liable for another party's injuries or your own medical costs.

But if you have a reasonably expensive car, then comprehensive insurance makes sense because your potential loss due to damage is higher.