One of the greatest threats to all drivers on the road is a collision, whether that be with another vehicle or an object, or even an animal. But having collision insurance doesn’t necessarily cover all these types of accidents, and it’s important to know the difference between car insurance options.

Fortunately an Illinois independent insurance can help you get set up with all the right car insurance for you, including collision car insurance. They’ll even get you covered long before you need to file a claim. But before we jump too far ahead, here’s a closer look at this important coverage.

What Is Collision Car Insurance?

Collision car insurance is just one aspect of a complete Illinois car insurance package. As the name suggests, collision coverage protects you against collisions with other vehicles and objects if you’re at fault. Collision coverage does not offer as much protection as comprehensive car insurance, but it is still an important protection to have.

What Does Collision Car Insurance Cover in Illinois?

Collision coverage is an important part of a complete car insurance package. Collision coverage is there to protect you if you get into a collision with another vehicle or object, and are at fault. Collision coverage applies to:

• Collisions with other vehicles
• Collisions with mailboxes
• Collisions with telephone poles
• Collisions with fences
• Collisions with homes and other property

An Illinois independent insurance agent will help you assemble the right car insurance package for your needs.

What Isn’t Covered by Collision Car Insurance in Illinois?

Collision car insurance provides a lot of important protection for drivers, but it doesn’t cover everything. According to insurance expert Paul Martin, collision insurance doesn’t cover the following:

• Wear and tear damage: Collision insurance does not cover routine expenses related to vehicle maintenance.
• Pothole accidents: Collision insurance does not cover damage to your vehicle caused by hitting a pothole in the road.
• Accidents that involve rolling your car: Collision coverage does not pay for damage to your vehicle caused by rolling your car, such as down a hill or into a ditch.
• Collisions with large animals: The only type of collision that collision car insurance doesn’t cover is a collision with a large animal. You’d need Illinois comprehensive car insurance for that.
• Flood damage: Collision car insurance does not cover damage to your vehicle from natural disasters, including flooding. You need comprehensive car insurance for that.
• Windshield damage: Collision car insurance also doesn’t pay for windshield repair and replacement, but comprehensive coverage often does.

An Illinois independent insurance agent can help you find comprehensive auto insurance to add to your car insurance policy, if it’s right for you.

How Much Does Collision Car Insurance Cost in Illinois?

The cost of your collision car insurance, as well as your other car insurance policies, will depend on several factors, including the type of vehicle you drive, and possibly how often you drive it. The average annual cost of car insurance overall in Illinois, however, is $1,079.

Martin said that these factors impact the cost of your collision car insurance premium:

• Vehicle make and model
• Vehicle age
• Vehicle value
• Driver age
• Prior accident or traffic violation history
• Driver credit history

An Illinois independent insurance agent can provide you with exact quotes for collision car insurance in your specific area.

Collision Car Insurance vs. Car Insurance

Collision car insurance is just one aspect of a complete car insurance package. While collision insurance is extremely important to have to protect your vehicle in case of an accident for which you’re at fault, having just collision insurance will not satisfy your state’s minimum car insurance requirements, which often include bodily injury liability and property damage liability, and maybe even uninsured motorist coverage.

Liability coverage protects you in the event of a lawsuit after an accident. Uninsured motorist insurance protects you if you get into an accident with another driver who does not carry any car insurance, or enough car insurance, to cover their fault. An Illinois independent insurance agent can help you assemble a complete car insurance package that works for you.

Here’s How an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

When it comes to protecting Illinois drivers against disasters like collisions with other vehicles and all other threats, no one’s better equipped to help than an independent insurance agent. Illinois independent insurance agents search through multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in comprehensive car insurance, deliver quotes from a number of different sources, and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.