Third-party car insurance

Cover that won’t take you for a ride

Start a quote Go to your account

Find a quick quote

Answer a few questions and compare options in minutes

Beat the renewal rush

AutoSergei can line up renewal quotes before your policy ends

Get Meerkat Rewards

Get discounted movie tickets, meals out, drinks and more*

We’re the UK’s most trusted comparison site¹

4.9/5 Excellent

What is third-party car insurance?

Third-party insurance is the most basic level of car insurance you can get – and the legal minimum you need to drive on UK roads.

It offers cover if you:

Damage another person’s car, or
Injure someone while you’re driving.

But you won’t be covered for your own injuries or any damage to your car if an accident is your fault. You’ll need to foot the bill for this yourself.

What does third-party insurance cover?

Typically covered

Damage to someone else’s car in a road accident
Damage to another person’s property – for example, if you crash your car into a neighbour’s wall
Injury to a passenger or driver of another car
Injury to a passenger in your car

Not typically covered

Damage to your own vehicle (if the accident was your fault)
Repair or replacement costs if your car is stolen, broken into or damaged by fire
Medical costs if you’re injured, such as physiotherapy

How much does third-party insurance cost?

According to our data, third-party car insurance typically costs

£1,185²

a year

Keep in mind that the cost of your premium will depend on your personal circumstances, including:

How old you are
Where you live
The make and model of your car
What insurance group it’s in
How much the car's worth
How many miles a year you drive.

² Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in August 2026.

Is third-party car insurance cheaper than comprehensive?

People often assume third-party insurance will be the cheapest as it offers the least cover, but that often isn't the case. Third-party cover can actually be more expensive, so compare before you buy.

Drivers typically save £325 by choosing comprehensive cover over third party, fire and theft. And the potential saving is a whopping £649 when opting for comprehensive over third party only, despite comprehensive being the highest level of cover².

This can be because:

Higher-risk drivers choose third-party cover to try and save money, but those drivers are then priced more expensively by providers, or
With fewer third-party policies sold nowadays, the market is less competitive and therefore more expensive.

Two people dropping money into saving jar

How to cut the cost of your car insurance

Money expert Guy Anker explains which features could reduce your car insurance premium.

This video is hosted by YouTube. By pressing play, you consent to their use of cookies. See their cookie policy for more information.

Text transcript

Some people just automatically assume third party cover is cheaper than comprehensive, because it's not as comprehensive as comprehensive cover. But that's not always the case.

So it's just worth trial and error checking just to see what's cheapest for you. Adding safety features or security features, maybe a dashcam for example, that could sometimes bring the price down, as well as obviously adding to the security and safety of your motor. So that's worth checking.

What happens if I’m involved in an accident with third-party cover?

If the accident is your fault

You’ll need to claim on your insurance policy so your provider can settle a pay-out with the other person’s insurance provider.

This could include the cost of fixing damage to the other person’s car or personal injury claims. You could also lose your no-claims discount unless it’s protected under your policy.

If the accident isn’t your fault

You should be able to claim money back from the other driver’s car insurance policy or get it to repair your motor.

Your no-claims bonus shouldn’t be affected because you’re not claiming on your own insurance policy.

Third-party cover in real life: common driver scenarios

Third-party cover sounds simple until something actually happens. Here’s how it plays out in some potential situations:

Scenario	Are you covered?	Who pays for your car	What to do
Someone hits your parked car and leaves their details	Yes but through their insurer, not yours.	The other driver’s insurance, as they’re usually at fault.	Photograph the damage, the wider scene and their note. Claim directly against their insurer.
Someone hits your parked car and drives off	No, you’re not covered.	You do, unless the driver can be traced.	Report it to the police for a reference number and check for CCTV, dashcam or witnesses.
An uninsured driver hits you	Not by your policy – but you may be able to claim elsewhere.	The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) may be an option, but property damage cover is limited and subject to an excess.	Report it to the police straight away – not doing so is a common reason claims are rejected.
You reverse into someone in a car park	Their car is covered but yours isn’t.	You do, and you could lose your no-claims discount.	Swap details, then weigh the repair cost against your excess before claiming.
You clip a wall, fence or gatepost	The property is covered but your car isn’t.	You do, as no other vehicle is involved.	Tell your insurer and the property owner, even if you plan to pay for your own repairs.
A passenger in your car is injured	Yes, even if the accident was your fault.	Your policy covers their injury, but not your own.	Consider personal accident cover or comprehensive car insurance if you want protection for your own injuries.

What’s the difference between third-party and comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive insurance is the highest level of cover available
It covers damage to your own vehicle, as well as damage to someone else’s car
It can also cover damage to the personal belongings in your car, and injury to you and other people
Comprehensive insurance gives you more cover than you legally need

Third-party insurance

Third-party insurance gives you the minimum level of cover
You must have at least third-party car insurance by law, whereas comprehensive cover is optional
You won’t get any payout if your car is damaged or you’re injured

Is third-party cover right for me?

It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding if third-party insurance is right for you.

Potential benefits

Third-party insurance may be right for you if:

Your car is older and isn’t worth very much

If the cost of fixing your car is more than it’s worth, it might make sense to find a cheap third-party car insurance policy.

You don’t drive your car very often

Having the most basic level of cover to legally drive in the UK might be perfectly fine for your needs.

Potential disadvantages

Potentially, there are financial risks if you only have third-party cover:

It won’t cover damage to your car

If you cause an accident, you’ll have to pay for repairs yourself.

You won’t be covered for injuries

If the accident is your fault, third-party car insurance won’t cover any medical bills.

It can be more expensive

Drivers with third-party only cover are often considered higher risk. You may find that you’ll pay more for third-party insurance than for a comprehensive policy.

Quick tip

Check the cost of third-party insurance against comprehensive cover and third-party, fire and theft insurance. Although third-party is the most basic type of policy, it’s often not the cheapest.

What our expert says...

“Third-party cover is the minimum level of car insurance that drivers legally need. It typically covers the cost of damage to another person’s vehicle, as well as any compensation costs for injuries caused to other people. Drivers with third-party cover tend to pay more as they’re likely to be younger, high-risk drivers.

"When you come to renew your car insurance, it’s always worth shopping around and comparing different types of policy. This will help you get a great deal with the right amount of protection.”

Amy Rootham, Insurance expert

What added extras can you get with third-party cover?

Breakdown cover

If you break down, breakdown cover could get you back on the road.

Personal accident cover

Personal accident cover could provide compensation if you or your partner are killed or seriously injured in a car accident.

Motor legal protection

Motor legal protection could cover legal expenses up to an agreed limit if you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Courtesy car cover

If your car is being repaired after an accident, courtesy car cover will provide you with a temporary car to use, subject to availability.

No-claims discount protection

If you’ve built up a decent no-claims discount, you can protect it by adding this cover.

Bear in mind...

Add-ons can bump up the price of your premium, so only buy an extra cover if you really need it.

Some comprehensive policies may include additional cover as standard. Comprehensive insurance could work out cheaper than a third-party policy with a range of extras added on.

What do I need to get a quote for third-party car insurance?

To start a quote, you’ll need to give us a few details about:

Your vehicle
How you use your vehicle – for example, your annual mileage, where you park overnight
Your personal details, including your address, age and employment status
Any claims or convictions
How many years of no-claims discount you have
The type of cover you’re looking for.

Once you’ve completed our online form, we’ll show you a list of suitable quotes to compare.

Start a quote

FAQs

Does third-party only insurance cover you for theft?

No, third-party insurance doesn’t cover theft. But you could be covered if you choose third-party, fire and theft, or comprehensive car insurance.

Is it legal to drive with third-party insurance?

Yes, third-party insurance is the legal minimum you need to drive in the UK. It will also cover you to drive your car in most European countries.

However, you usually won’t be insured to drive other cars. Before driving someone else’s car, it’s best to be added to their insurance as a named driver.

What is third-party, fire and theft cover?

Third-party, fire and theft insurance offers the same cover as third-party insurance, but also covers you if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.

Third-party, fire and theft could be an option if your car is:

Relatively cheap, and
Straightforward to repair.

It’s a good idea to compare the cost of third-party, fire and theft cover with comprehensive insurance, because basic policies aren’t necessarily the cheapest.

Is it cheaper to pay for third-party cover monthly or annually?

It’s usually cheaper to pay for your car insurance annually, in one lump sum. That’s because you’ll typically be charged interest if you pay monthly.

Drivers typically pay £500 when paying annually, compared to £714 when paying monthly³.

Why compare third-party insurance with Compare the Market?

We independently compare third-party car insurance deals from some of the UK’s most trusted insurance providers.

We’ll show you policies based on price, add-ons or payment terms, helping you compare policies based on your needs.

Looking for something else?

Car insurance

Man and woman looking at a tablet device in living room

Home insurance

Travel insurance

Reviewed 18 Sept 2026 by Amy Rootham Insurance expert

Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.

Methodology

¹Based on the % of respondents claiming they have used Compare the Market in the last 12 months vs. other leading PCWs. Source: Savanta BrandVue Financial Services, National Representative Survey of 12,257 respondents (June 2026)

²Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in August 2026.

³Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in June 2026.