Your car insurance choices: a quick guide
Whether you drive a Lexus or a Lada, insuring your car is a legal requirement. But the policy you choose depends on how much your car is worth, what you want to protect against and what you can afford.
Which type of cover?
Third party cover
This is the absolute minimum insurance cover you can take out. It covers you against having to pay if you injure someone else (including a passenger) or damage their car or property. It doesn't pay for repairs to your own car.
Third party cover is fine for older or cheaper cars - you might decide it's not worth paying a higher premium for a car that only cost a few hundred pounds in the first place.
Third party, fire and theft
This type of policy covers all the same things as a basic third party policy, but also the cost of repair or replacement if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
Comprehensive cover
If your car's particularly new, rare or expensive - basically, if it will cost a lot to repair - you might decide to take out comprehensive cover.
The same applies if you bought the car using a credit or loan agreement - you may still have to continue paying for the car even if it's a write-off.
As its name suggests, comprehensive insurance includes everything you get from cheaper policies plus a range of additional services. A comprehensive policy will usually cover you for:
- accidental damage
- a courtesy car while your car is being repaired
- personal accident benefit if an accident results in death or disablement
- medical expenses (up to a stated limit)
- loss or damage to personal effects in the car (up to a stated limit)
Other benefits like breakdown assistance and help with legal costs after an accident will be standard on some policies but extras on others.
Other drivers and excesses
If you want someone else to be able to drive your car, you'll need to name them on your insurance - how much this costs will depend on their own level of risk. Find out more with our quick guide to additional drivers.
If you agree to pay the first part of any costs when you claim - called the "excess" - you could lower your premium. Find out more with our quick guide to excesses.
Key points
Choose your policy carefuly
If your car is worth a lot, would cost a lot to repair, or is on a credit or loan agreement, comprehensive cover is usually a good choice. On older or cheaper cars, you may be better off with a third party policy.
Check what's covered
Even if you have comprehensive cover, double-check what is included in the policy and what extras are available.
Consider your options
Changes to additional drivers or the amount of excess you're prepared to pay can make a big difference to your premium.
Find out more