Vandalism Damage and “Full Car Insurance Coverage”

Q: I have a 2001 vehicle that I only have full coverage on and my car was vandalized but I don’t have collision and comprehensive because age of car, does full coverage still cover the damage?

A: Full coverage does not actually exist, but when that term is used it means that you have both liability coverage and physical damage coverage for your own vehicle on your car insurance policy. In the absence of collision and comprehensive coverage, you don’t have what is commonly called “full coverage”.

With that being said, what you are protected from on your car insurance policy is determined by the specific coverages you have and not an all-encompassing term. Towing coverage will pay for your vehicle to be towed, bodily injury liability coverage will cover the medical payments for those you injure in a car accident, personal injury protection covers your medical payments, etc. Just because you are told you have full coverage, it doesn’t mean that everything you can think of is covered.

In the absence of comprehensive coverage, you do not have protection under your car insurance policy that will cover the vandalism damage to your vehicle. I understand that your vehicle is older, but I would highly suggest that you sit down with your car insurance agent and go over your policy to make sure you understand what coverages you have and don’t have. Also, what car insurance coverages you need, regardless of the age of your vehicle.