Collision coverage is the coverage you will use to repair or replace your car if it was damaged in an accident with another car or in a rollover crash. 

Collision is an optional coverage and is not required in Washington state. The required insurance coverage for registered cars in Washington is liability coverage. 

If your car is leased or financed, your lender is likely to require you to carry both collision and comprehensive coverage in your auto insurance policy. 

When your car is damaged in an accident, you will need to take it to an auto shop for repair. The next step is to get a quote for the repair estimate. 

With that estimate, your insurance company will proceed with one of two options:

If your car had significant damages and the claim adjuster determines it to be a total loss, your insurance company will perform a complete assessment for the value of your car at the time of the claim.

Once you accept the assessed value offered to you, your insurance company will send you a check in the amount of the value minus your deductible. At the same time, you will sign over your vehicle title to your insurance company.

A deductible will always apply when you use your collision coverage. A deductible is the amount that you have to pay when you use collision coverage during a claim. 

The most common collision deductibles are between $500 to $1,000.

Most insurance companies will offer options to choose deductible from a range of $250 to $2,000:

The lower the deductible you choose, the more your insurance premium will cost. 

Keep in mind that a deductible is your out-of-pocket expense at the time of a claim, so be sure to select an amount that is comfortable with your financial situation.