What kind of incidents does comprehensive coverage protect against?

Comprehensive coverage is designed to protect policyholders from a variety of non-collision incidents that can cause damage to their vehicle. This includes incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, and damage caused by natural disasters like hail or flooding. The nature of comprehensive coverage is to provide financial protection against events that are not related to direct collisions with other vehicles or objects, hence why it encompasses a wide range of potential risks.

Collisions with other vehicles fall under collision coverage, which specifically addresses damage resulting from an accident involving another vehicle or object. Bodily injury to others is usually covered under liability insurance, which is separate from comprehensive coverage and relates to the legal responsibility of the driver for injuries caused to others in an accident. Mechanical failures are also not covered under comprehensive insurance, as they pertain to the vehicle's maintenance and operational issues rather than external incidents leading to damage or loss.

Thus, comprehensive coverage effectively fills in the gaps of protection by addressing non-collision-related damage, making it essential for a comprehensive auto insurance policy.