Defining Each Coverage Under Tex. Ins. Code §1952.052
Tex. Ins. Code §1952.052frames the two physical-damage coverages with a clean structural split. Collision is “loss caused by upset of the vehicle or collision with another object.” Comprehensive (sometimes called “other than collision” in older policy language) covers losses from any cause other than collision or upset.
The split is exhaustive but not always intuitive. A tree falling on your parked car is comprehensive (falling object, not collision). Driving into a tree is collision. A deer running into your vehicle is comprehensive in Texas. A bird strike on your windshield is comprehensive. A shopping cart rolling into your car is comprehensive (vandalism or falling-object treatment depending on carrier).
Texas only mandates liability under Tex. Transp. Code §601.072(30/60/25). Comprehensive and collision are optional from a state-law standpoint. Lienholders — auto-loan lenders and lessors — almost always require both during the loan or lease term, and can add lender-placed coverage at high premium if your physical-damage coverage lapses.
What’s Covered Where: The Texas Decision Table
| Loss Type | Coverage | Typical Texas Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Curb hit (single-vehicle) | Collision | At-fault default — see our curb-hit guide. |
| Multi-vehicle accident | Collision | §33.001 51% bar rule controls fault allocation. |
| Parking lot dings (other vehicle) | Collision (sometimes comp) | Hit-and-run door-ding is often comp (vandalism); carrier-specific. |
| Hail damage | Comprehensive | #1 Texas comp loss driver. See hail-damage guide. |
| Theft (whole vehicle or parts) | Comprehensive | Police report required. Catalytic converter theft is comp. |
| Vandalism / keying | Comprehensive | Police report typically required. |
| Tree falls on parked car | Comprehensive | Falling object — non-collision. |
| Animal strike (deer, dog) | Comprehensive | Texas-specific: animal strikes always comp. |
| Fire (engine or external) | Comprehensive | Includes accidental fire and arson. |
| Flood damage | Comprehensive | Hurricane and flash-flood events common in coastal/Houston regions. |
| Glass-only (windshield crack) | Comprehensive (glass) | Often $0 deductible by carrier convention. |
| Fence / pole / bollard strike | Collision | Stationary-object impact = collision. |
Deductible Structures Texas Drivers Actually Use
Texas carriers almost universally let you set comprehensive and collision deductibles independently. The three most common DFW configurations:
Balanced
$500 / $250
Collision $500, Comp $250. Most common DFW configuration. Lower comp deductible reflects hail frequency.
Rate-Saving
$1,000 / $500
Higher deductibles, materially lower premium. Good fit if savings can absorb the higher per-claim exposure.
Aggressive Claim
$250 / $250
Lowest out-of-pocket per claim, highest premium. Common on newer financed vehicles where any repair gets filed.
Glass-only deductibles often run at $0 by Texas-carrier convention — a windshield crack repair or replacement is paid in full without deductible application. This is a Texas-specific concession to the high-velocity gravel-and-pickup environment.
When to Drop Each on an Older Texas Vehicle
Once the vehicle is paid off and the lienholder requirement disappears, the question is whether each coverage still makes economic sense.
Collision:the 10% rule of thumb is reliable. When annual collision premium plus the deductible exceeds 10% of the vehicle’s actual cash value, you are over-insured. Example: a $4,000 Texas vehicle with a $500 deductible and $480/year collision premium has $980 in annual exposure against a maximum $3,500 payout. Drop collision and bank the premium.
Comprehensive:rarely worth dropping in Texas. Hail risk and theft risk are statewide. Comprehensive premium is typically much lower than collision premium — often $120 to $240 per year on a paid-off older vehicle. Saving $150/year while exposing yourself to a $4,000–$8,000 single hailstorm claim is poor math.
Texas pattern: Most A-LA clients who drop collision at the ACV crossover keep comprehensive. The combination — liability plus comp — is a common “older vehicle” configuration that preserves hail, theft, and falling-object protection at a fraction of full-coverage premium.
How to File a Texas Comp or Collision Claim
Classify the loss
Collision: contact with vehicle, object, or upset. Comprehensive: weather, theft, fire, animal, vandalism, falling object. Texas treats animal strikes as comprehensive.
Confirm coverage is on the policy
Comprehensive and collision are separate coverages. Check the declarations page before assuming coverage applies.
Document with photos and timeline
Multi-angle photos of all damage, the scene, weather conditions if relevant. For theft, file the police report immediately — most carriers require the report number.
Apply §550.022 if collision-with-damage-over-$1,000
For qualifying collision losses, Tex. Transp. Code §550.022 requires law-enforcement reporting. Comprehensive events typically don't unless theft or vandalism is involved.
Call (866) 252-6116 to open the claim
A-LA's bilingual claims team opens the carrier claim, classifies coverage, and assigns the adjuster. Most Texas claims open within 15 minutes by phone.
Inspection and deductible confirmation
Adjuster inspection at home or at a Texas approved shop. Confirm which deductible applies — collision and comprehensive may differ on your policy.
Repair or total-loss settlement
Repair shop coordinates with the carrier directly. Total losses pay ACV minus the relevant deductible; gap insurance, if carried, pays any loan-to-ACV difference.
Texas Comp-vs-Collision Pitfalls
Carrying only collision in Texas
Hail risk alone makes this a losing configuration statewide. A single hail event averages $4,000–$8,000 in claim value. Comprehensive premium is small relative to the exposure.
Dropping comprehensive on an older paid-off vehicle
Saving $150/year against an $8,000 hailstorm exposure is poor math. Most A-LA clients drop collision but keep comprehensive after the loan is paid.
Misclassifying the deer strike as collision
Texas treats animal strikes as comprehensive. Filing under collision typically applies the wrong (higher) deductible and may surcharge incorrectly. Confirm classification before filing.
Letting physical-damage coverage lapse during the loan
Lienholders detect lapses through monthly carrier verification and impose lender-placed coverage at 2–4x the open-market premium. Avoid lapses.
Setting matched-high deductibles you can't actually pay
A $1,000/$1,000 configuration saves premium only if you can write the deductible check on demand. If you can't, the rate savings vanishes at the first claim.
Texas Comp vs Collision FAQs
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Licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance — TDI #3107286 · Sean Gilani, Licensed Agent
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Sean is a licensed insurance agent at A-LA Auto Insurance, a TDI-licensed independent agency (License #3107286) with 14 offices across Dallas-Fort Worth. With 5+ years of experience in the non-standard auto insurance market, he specializes in SR-22 filings, high-risk auto, DUI insurance, no-credit-check options, and coverage for drivers without a US license. Sean works with 35+ carriers to find the lowest available rate. Call (866) 252-6116 to speak with the team directly.
Licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI License #3107286). A-LA Auto Insurance is an independent agency serving DFW since 2021. For personalized advice, call (866) 252-6116.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalized insurance advice. Coverage options, terms, and pricing vary by individual circumstances. Contact a licensed agent for specific recommendations. A-LA Auto Insurance is licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI License #3107286).