When Mary returned from vacation to find her car’s windshield shattered and the driver’s side dented from an apparent theft attempt, her first thought was “collision?” But this wasn’t a crash — it was a non‑collision event.
She filed a claim under her comprehensive policy, sometimes labeled OTC (other than collision) insurance, and her insurer covered the repairs after her deductible.
Many drivers confuse collision with comprehensive/OTC coverage, not realizing that the damage their vehicle suffers doesn’t have to involve another car to be covered — as long as they have the right protection in place.
CarInsurance.com Insights
- OTC means “other than collision” coverage: This optional part of your auto policy pays for vehicle damage not caused by a crash with another car or object in motion. It’s effectively another name for comprehensive coverage.
- It covers a wide range of non‑collision events: OTC helps protect you from losses due to theft, vandalism, fire, floods, hail, falling objects (like tree limbs), animal strikes, and weather‑related damage — even if your car was parked at the time.
- Deductibles still apply: When you make an OTC claim, you’ll generally pay your deductible first, and the insurer pays the rest up to your vehicle’s actual cash value. Higher deductibles usually mean lower premiums but more out‑of‑pocket costs in a claim.
- Collision and OTC together are often called “full coverage”: Many drivers bundle these two physical damage protections so they’re covered whether the incident was a crash or another peril. Lenders and lessors often require both.
- OTC isn’t required by law: Most states don’t mandate OTC coverage, but it’s commonly recommended — especially if your car is valuable or you live in an area prone to theft, storm damage, or animal collisions.
What OTC (other than collision) actually covers
OTC — often branded on policies as comprehensive coverage — protects your car from damage or loss caused by events outside of vehicle collisions, including:
- Theft or vandalism
- Fire and explosions
- Natural disasters (hail, floods, windstorms)
- Falling objects (tree branches, debris)
- Animal impacts (hitting a deer off the road)
- Glass damage (windshield or window breakage)
This coverage pays for repairs or replacement up to your car’s market value (minus depreciation and your deductible) if the loss is covered.
What OTC does not cover
OTC coverage generally does not pay for:
- Damage from collisions with other vehicles or objects in motion — that’s collision coverage.
- Normal wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns.
- Damage you cause intentionally or through negligence.
- Medical expenses after injury — those are separate coverages.
- Personal items inside the vehicle — typically covered under homeowners/renters insurance, not auto insurance.
When OTC is worth it
OTC coverage can be especially valuable if:
- You have a new or valuable car that would be costly to repair or replace.
- You live in an area prone to weather events, theft, or vandalism.
- Your car is financed or leased — lenders and leasing companies often require comprehensive/OTC coverage.
- You want peace of mind against unpredictable losses.
If your vehicle is old and its value is low, dropping OTC to save on premium might make sense — but you should weigh the risk of out‑of‑pocket loss if something happens.
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Bottom line
OTC (other than collision) coverage is an optional but valuable part of auto insurance that pays for losses caused by non‑collision events like theft, weather, and falling objects. While it adds to your premium, it significantly reduces the financial risk of unexpected damage — especially on newer or more expensive vehicles or in high‑risk areas.
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