Comprehensive Coverage

• Comprehensive policies are like life insurance, not health insurance, for your car.Crash on the street. German auto model 2007. image by Dariusz Kopestynski from Fotolia.com
  
  Comprehensive coverage reimburses the cost, minus your deductible (if any), of repairing or replacing your car if it becomes damaged in an accident. However, standard comprehensive policies do not pay if your vehicle simply has a mechanical failure -- such as a blown head gasket or a faulty transmission -- that was not caused by an impact.
  
  

Breakdown Coverage

• Coverage for more mundane maladies requires an additional premium.crevaison image by veronique buffi from Fotolia.com
  
  Some insurers do offer breakdown coverage as a separate component of your policy. These riders (clauses) pay for specified repairs if your car has a mechanical failure, but are subject to an additional premium and numerous restrictions.
  
  

Benefit Reduction

• Cars above a certain age or mileage may be ineligible for benefits.old car image by Alexander Ivanov from Fotolia.com
  
  As a vehicle ages, the likelihood of an upcoming major repair increases. Insurers that offer breakdown coverage typically limit reimbursement in proportion to the age or the of the car. For example, the benefit could be reduced by a certain amount for every 1,000 miles above 50,000 miles on your car's odometer.