What Are The Main Types Of Car Insurance Available To Customers?
It is very interesting that actually not everyone is clear on the differences on car insurance available for personal use. We hear the names and terms banded around but let us look at what they actually mean for you and your car.
Shopping for car insurance is often a daunting task considering the different levels of cover available, with the two most important ones being third party fire & theft and comprehensive car insurance. They are distinct from one another in terms of cost of premiums and the type of cover they provide. So what exactly does third party fire & theft and comprehensive insurance cover? Not to mention the other levels of cover available to business owners such as motor trade insurance, but we won’t get into that here otherwise this could be one very long post!
Third party fire & theft car cover is probably the most basic level of car insurance you can get, but is a notch above third party only insurance. Third party only insurance will provide cover for any damages caused to other property, individuals or vehicles involved in an accident caused by you. This type of insurance the most basic type of insurance needed to drive on UK roads.
An example of third party only insurance would be when you are involved in a collision that causes damage to your vehicle, another vehicle and a home nearby. In this instance, third party insurance would cover you for the damage caused to the home and the other vehicle, but not your own car. Third party fire and theft is comparatively similar to third party only car insurance except that it will cover the costs of any damage to your vehicle caused by fire or theft. As an example, you would be able to claim costs of damage to your vehicles bodywork resulting from an attempted break in or fire.
The reason third party only and third party fire and theft insurance are cheaper compared to comprehensive cover is simply because they do not cover you for damages to your vehicle sustained in an accident. For this reason, these types of insurance cover are perfectly suited for those who drive an inexpensive vehicle where the cost of repairs is affordable or can be written off in the event of an accident with no heartaches.
To add to this, third party only insurance and fire and theft insurance is also ideal for young drivers, provisional drivers or beginner motorists looking to get behind the wheel at an affordable cost. Although these basic levels of cover are generally cheaper alternatives compared to comprehensive cover, it is not a rule of thumb.
For this reason, is best to get quote for third party fire and theft insurance as well as comprehensive insurance and compare them to see which one fits the bill. It is important to choose the level of insurance cover that’s right for your needs rather than based on the price alone. Choose a policy that accommodates your circumstances and includes all the perks you need at the best price.
Full cover or comprehensive car insurances covers the damages caused by you and others involved in an accident, fire or theft. This type of car insurance may also have added perks to it such as roadside assistance, windscreen repair or replacement, towing and sometimes use of a courtesy car in case your vehicle is stolen or written off. These extras are by no means common to each insurance policy so it is best to ask, compare policies and check the fine print.
Unsurprisingly, fully comprehensive insurance will cost more than third party only or third party fire and theft insurance because of the added benefits it will payout for. For example, if you were involved in a collision where you caused damage to your vehicle, third party vehicle and a house, fully comprehensive car insurance will cover you for all of the above and some policies even cover legal proceedings that arise from it. Knowing that all ends are taken care of in the event of a crash makes motorists feel safer and comfortable behind the wheel, which is why many drivers’ young and old don’t hesitate to pay for the extra costs associated with fully comprehensive car insurance.
If you’re still unsure about which level of cover is right for you, start by evaluating your vehicle to determine the cost of repairs and if it were to be written on in the event of a collision. If the costs are not within your budget, fully comprehensive car insurance is the route to explore.