What type of auto insurance covers damage from events like theft or vandalism?

Auto insurance that covers damage from theft or vandalism is called comprehensive insurance.

In standard U.S. auto-insurance terminology, comprehensive coverage pays for damage caused by events other than a collision. Typical covered causes include vehicle theft, attempted theft, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, falling objects, and damage caused by striking an animal. Policies usually pay for repair costs or the vehicle’s actual cash value, minus the selected deductible and subject to policy terms.

Comprehensive coverage is different from collision coverage. Collision generally applies when the insured vehicle hits another vehicle or object, or overturns. Liability insurance pays for injuries or property damage the policyholder causes to other people, but it normally does not repair the policyholder’s own vehicle. Uninsured-motorist coverage addresses certain losses caused by an at-fault driver who lacks adequate insurance.

“Comprehensive” does not mean literally every possible loss. Mechanical breakdown, normal wear, and personal belongings stolen from inside a car may be excluded or handled by other coverage. The phrase “full coverage” is also informal and does not identify one standardized policy; insurers and lenders may use it to mean a combination of liability, collision, and comprehensive protection.