Collision Coverage for Seniors in Maine
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own car after it hits another vehicle or object, or flips over, no matter who caused the crash.
What collision coverage pays for
Covers
- Hitting another vehicle If you're at fault in a crash, this pays to fix your own car regardless of the other driver's insurance.
- Hitting a fixed object A mailbox, guardrail, utility pole or fence you back into or slide toward is covered.
- Single car rollover If you lose control and the car flips or rolls, the damage to your car is covered.
- Pothole and road damage Hitting a pothole hard enough to damage the car's body or undercarriage counts as a collision.
- Hit and run damage If another driver hits you and leaves, this covers your car since there's no one else to collect from.
- Parking lot collisions A fender bender in a parking lot, including backing into a post or cart corral, is covered the same as any other crash.
Doesn't cover
- Deer and animal strikes Hitting an animal is covered under comprehensive coverage, not collision, even though the damage can look the same.
- Hail and storm damage Weather damage to a parked or moving car falls under comprehensive, not collision.
- Theft of the vehicle A stolen car is a comprehensive claim, since no collision occurred.
- Medical bills after a crash Your injuries and those of your passengers are handled through medical payments or liability coverage, not collision.
- The other driver's car Damage to someone else's vehicle is paid by your liability coverage, not collision.
- Mechanical breakdown A car that fails on its own, like a blown engine or transmission, isn't a collision and isn't covered here.
It often stops being worth it once the car is older and paid off
The math behind this coverage comes down to what your car is worth against what you'd pay to carry it. If the car is paid off and worth a modest amount, a total loss payout may be small once a deductible is subtracted, and that changes whether carrying it still makes sense. A car that's still financed is a different story, since the lender usually requires this coverage until the loan is gone. How much you drive matters too. Someone who still commutes daily or takes regular highway trips faces more chances for a crash than someone who mostly drives short distances around town. Where the car spends its time matters as well. A car kept in a garage overnight has less exposure than one parked on the street or in a shared lot. The last piece is what you could absorb yourself. If a sudden repair bill or the loss of the car wouldn't strain your savings, some drivers choose to drop this coverage and self insure once the car's value drops low enough. Others keep it anyway for the peace of mind of not having to think about it.
How a collision claim actually plays out
You pick a deductible when you set up the policy, and that's the amount you pay before coverage kicks in. A higher deductible lowers what you pay for the coverage but means more out of pocket if you file a claim. When you report a crash, an adjuster looks at the damage and either approves a repair shop estimate or, if the car is badly damaged, declares it a total loss and offers a payout based on the car's value before the crash. The payout covers the car itself, not any items left inside, and it won't cover wear and tear that existed before the crash. Have your policy number, the other driver's information if there was another vehicle involved, and photos of the damage ready when you call. If the car is a total loss, having service records and recent photos of its condition can help the valuation reflect the car accurately.
Collision versus comprehensive
Collision coverage
This pays for damage from hitting another vehicle or object, or from a rollover. It applies regardless of who caused the crash.
Comprehensive coverage
This pays for damage that isn't a collision, like hitting an animal, hail, fire, theft, or a cracked windshield from a flying rock. The two are usually sold together but priced separately.
A driver worried mainly about deer or weather damage may value comprehensive more, while someone who drives often in traffic leans more on collision.
Real situations
You're driving home at dusk on a county road and a deer runs into your path, damaging the front of the car.
Collision doesn't pay here, since this is an animal strike handled by comprehensive coverage.
Your car is parked at church during a sudden hailstorm and comes out with dents across the hood and roof.
Collision doesn't pay here either, since hail damage falls under comprehensive.
You're backing out of a parking space at the grocery store and clip a concrete post, denting the rear bumper.
Collision pays here, since this is a crash into a fixed object regardless of fault.
Once you've decided whether to keep, drop or adjust this coverage, you can compare quotes with that choice already settled.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need collision coverage if my car is paid off?
No, it isn't required once a car is paid off, though some drivers keep it anyway. The decision usually comes down to the car's value and whether you could cover a repair or replacement yourself. Check your policy to see what you're currently paying for it relative to the car's worth.
What is my car worth for a collision claim?
An insurer bases a payout on the car's market value right before the crash, not what you originally paid for it. Mileage, condition, and recent comparable sales in your area all factor in. You can ask your agent how they'd estimate your specific car's value ahead of time.
Can I choose my own repair shop after a collision claim?
Yes, in most cases you can pick where the car gets fixed. Some insurers have preferred shops with faster claim processing, but using a different shop is usually still allowed. Ask your insurer directly what their process looks like.
Does collision coverage follow the car or the driver?
It generally follows the car as listed on the policy, so it applies no matter who is driving with your permission. If you lend your car to a family member, the coverage typically still applies. Check your policy's language on permissive use to be sure.
Will a collision claim raise my rates?
It can, especially if the crash was your fault, though how much varies by insurer and driving history. A long history without claims sometimes softens the impact. Ask your agent how your specific policy handles a first at-fault claim.
