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This guide compares third party and fully comprehensive car insurance for UK drivers. It explains what each type of cover includes, busts the common myth that third party is always cheaper, and provides a full side-by-side comparison table
Choosing between third party and fully comprehensive car insurance is one of the biggest decisions you will make when insuring your car. The difference is not just about price - it is about how much financial protection you will have if something goes wrong.
This guide compares both types of cover, explains what is included in each, busts the common myth that third party is always cheaper, and helps you decide which option is right for your situation.
Fully comprehensive car insurance is often cheaper than third party only. The average UK comprehensive policy costs around £551 (ABI, Q3 2025), while third party only policies frequently cost more. Always compare both to see which is cheaper for you.
See the real price difference for your car. Compare quotes from over 130 UK insurers via Brumble - it takes just a few minutes.
Compare Car Insurance Now →Third party car insurance is the minimum legal requirement for driving on UK roads. It covers your legal responsibility for damage you cause to other people and their property, but it does not cover any damage to your own vehicle.
The term "third party" refers to anyone other than you (the first party) and your insurer (the second party). This includes other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and property owners.
Injury to other people - if you cause an accident that injures another driver, their passengers or pedestrians, your insurance covers their medical costs, compensation and legal expenses. Third party cover is unlimited for injury claims.
Damage to other vehicles - if you hit another car, your insurance pays for repairs or replacement of the other vehicle, but not your own.
Damage to property - if you crash into someone's fence, wall, building or other property, your insurance covers the cost of repairs or replacement.
Legal costs - if you are taken to court following an accident, your insurance covers your legal defence costs up to the policy limit.
This is the critical part. Third party car insurance does not cover damage to your own car, theft of your vehicle, fire damage to your vehicle, your own injuries (though you may be able to claim against the other driver if they were at fault), or personal belongings in your car.
This means if you cause an accident and write off your car, you will need to pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle entirely from your own pocket.
Third party, fire and theft sits between basic third party cover and fully comprehensive. It includes everything in third party cover, plus protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
On top of the standard third party cover, it protects against theft of your vehicle or parts of it, attempted theft damage, fire damage and explosion damage. Like third party only, it still does not cover accident damage to your own car.
Third party, fire and theft used to be a popular middle-ground option, but it is becoming less common. The price difference between it and fully comprehensive has narrowed so much that most drivers are better off going straight to comprehensive. Always compare all three cover types to check the prices for your situation.
Fully comprehensive car insurance offers the most complete protection you can get. It covers everything included in third party insurance, plus damage to your own vehicle regardless of who was at fault.
On top of everything in third party cover, a comprehensive policy typically includes damage to your own car whether you caused the accident or not (repairs are covered up to the car's market value), theft and fire protection, vandalism, weather damage from storms, floods or falling objects, windscreen repair or replacement (often with a reduced or zero excess), personal accident cover, limited cover for personal belongings stolen from your car, and legal protection to help you pursue a claim.
Many fully comprehensive policies also offer a courtesy car while yours is being repaired, breakdown assistance (though this may cost extra), the ability to drive other cars with the owner's permission (becoming rarer and usually only third party cover), and options for no claims discount protection, key cover and excess protection.
The exact benefits vary between insurers and policies, so always check what is included before you buy. For a detailed look at how comprehensive cover works, see our fully comprehensive car insurance page.
Many drivers assume third party insurance is always cheaper because it offers less cover. This is not true.
Insurers have found that drivers who choose comprehensive cover tend to be lower risk. They are often more cautious and responsible, better at maintaining their vehicles, less likely to drive uninsured after minor damage, and more financially stable.
Because of this pattern, insurers often price comprehensive cover competitively - sometimes even lower than third party policies. At the same time, third party only insurance is often chosen by higher-risk drivers who cannot afford comprehensive cover, which drives up the average cost of third party policies.
Always compare quotes for both third party and fully comprehensive cover. You may find you can get more protection for the same price - or even less. The best way to check is to compare car insurance quotes via Brumble.
Third party insurance is more likely to cost less when you are insuring an old car with very low market value, you are a very high-risk driver (young, inexperienced, or with claims and convictions), or you only need cover for a very short period. Even in these cases, the price difference might be surprisingly small, so always compare both options.
| What is covered? | Third Party Only | Third Party, Fire & Theft | Fully Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injury to other people | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Damage to other vehicles | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Damage to other people's property | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legal costs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theft of your car | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fire damage to your car | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Damage to your own car (accidents) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Vandalism | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Weather damage (storms, floods) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Windscreen repair or replacement | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Personal accident cover | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Courtesy car | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ (most policies) |
Your car has very low value - if your car is worth less than £1,000, the cost of comprehensive cover might be more than any claim you could make for damage. However, always check comprehensive prices too as they may be similar or even cheaper.
You can afford to replace your car - if you have savings to buy another vehicle should yours be written off, you might choose to self-insure against damage to your own car.
It is genuinely much cheaper - if comprehensive quotes are substantially higher and your budget is very tight, third party at least keeps you legal on UK roads.
Your car has significant value - for any car worth more than a few thousand pounds, comprehensive cover provides valuable protection. Losing that investment in an accident would be a serious financial hit.
You are financing your car - if you have a loan or finance agreement on your vehicle, the lender almost certainly requires fully comprehensive cover. You are legally required to maintain this until the debt is paid off.
You cannot afford to replace your car - if an accident would leave you unable to buy another vehicle, comprehensive cover is essential. This is particularly important if you rely on your car for work or family responsibilities.
The price difference is small - if comprehensive cover costs only a few pounds more per month than third party, it is almost always worth paying the extra for complete protection.
You are a new driver - even though car insurance for young drivers is expensive, comprehensive cover is often worth it. An accident in your first year could leave you without a car and facing huge costs. Black box insurance can make comprehensive cover more affordable for new drivers who can prove they drive safely.
Third party may work if your car is worth under £1,000, but always compare both options first.
Fully comprehensive is the best choice for the vast majority of UK drivers.
Comprehensive cover is almost always required by lenders. Check your finance agreement.
Compare third party and fully comprehensive quotes from over 130 UK insurers via Brumble. You might be surprised which one costs less.
Compare Car Insurance Now →Regardless of which type of car insurance you choose, you will have an excess - the amount you pay towards any claim. Your total excess has two parts.
Compulsory excess is set by the insurer based on your risk profile. Young drivers often face higher compulsory excesses, sometimes £500 or more. Voluntary excess is an amount you choose to add on top. A higher voluntary excess reduces your premium but increases what you pay out of pocket if you need to claim.
With third party claims where you are at fault, you do not pay an excess because you are only claiming for the other party's costs. But if you have comprehensive cover and claim for damage to your own car, you will pay the full excess amount.
Before choosing a higher excess to reduce your premium, make sure you could actually afford to pay it. A £1,000 excess might save you £100 a year, but it is no use if you cannot find £1,000 when you need to make a claim.
Whether you choose third party or fully comprehensive cover, the same factors influence how much you pay. These include your age and driving experience, your claims history and no claims discount, the make, model and insurance group of your car, where you live and where you park overnight, your annual mileage and how you use your car, your occupation, and your chosen voluntary excess.
The key difference is that comprehensive policies also need to account for the risk of covering your own vehicle, which is why very high-value or high-performance cars can have higher comprehensive premiums. For more ways to bring your costs down, see our guide on how to lower your car insurance premium.
Get quotes for both types of cover - do not assume third party will be cheaper. Use a comparison site to see prices from multiple insurers for both cover levels.
Compare the same excess levels - make sure you are comparing like with like. Identical excess amounts give you a fair price comparison.
Check what is included - look beyond the price to see what additional benefits come with comprehensive policies. Windscreen cover, courtesy cars and legal protection all add real value.
Think about your realistic needs - consider your actual situation, not just the lowest price. What would happen if your car was written off tomorrow?
Calculate the monthly difference - if comprehensive cover is only £5 - £10 more per month, it is usually worth paying for the extra protection.
Do not just auto-renew - your circumstances and the insurance market change every year. Compare quotes at every renewal, even if you are happy with your current insurer. For more on timing your renewal for the best prices, see our guide on car insurance costs in 2026.
Compare third party and comprehensive prices from over 130 UK insurers via Brumble. See your personalised quotes in minutes.
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