1996 Honda Civic DISTRIBUTOR

DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DISRIBUTOR IF YOU HAVE NO SPARK. MY DAUGHTERS CAR DIED WHILE SHE WAS ON THE FREEWAY. YOU CAN NOT START IT, IT TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. HER EXBOYFRIEND SAID THERE IS NO SPARK FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR AND SHE NEEDS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING. THIS COST ME 297.00! IS THIS COMMON FOR THIS YEAR OF CAR. I HEARD YOU RARLEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THING.
THANKS
ANN