{"id":1368,"date":"2023-07-31T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T16:31:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T16:31:54","slug":"comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the difference between comprehensive and third party insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll usually come across comprehensive and third party insurance for the first time when choosing car insurance. Understanding the difference between the types of vehicle cover can be confusing \u2013 but it\u2019s essential to get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To put your mind at ease and make sure you\u2019re covered if there\u2019s an accident, it\u2019s important to choose the right insurance. Read on to see the differences between covers and find out what\u2019s best for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is comprehensive insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comprehensive insurance is a type of cover you choose for your vehicle. It\u2019s sometimes called \u2018fully comprehensive\u2019 because it tends to cover most kinds of incidents with your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle and other people\u2019s vehicles if they\u2019re damaged in a collision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does comprehensive insurance cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These scenarios will typically be covered in most comprehensive insurance policies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">medical expenses for you, your passengers, and third parties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">accidental damage to yours or somebody else\u2019s vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damage to someone else\u2019s property as a result of a collision<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">cover for personal belongings that are stolen or damaged<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">repair to your windscreen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damage to your vehicle from fire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">vandalism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I drive another car with comprehensive insurance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important to understand that you\u2019re <strong>usually<\/strong> not insured to drive other people\u2019s vehicles with standard comprehensive cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drive other cars (DOC) insurance is an extra cover that allows you to drive other vehicles but it isn\u2019t on the majority of comprehensive insurance policies. It\u2019s also designed for emergencies like driving someone to the hospital, rather than consistent use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to regularly drive another vehicle, it might be worth becoming a named driver on the insurance policy for that vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is third party insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third party insurance is the minimum level of vehicle insurance required by UK law. It covers damage to someone else\u2019s vehicle if you\u2019re involved in an accident, but won\u2019t cover losses on your side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does third party insurance cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third party insurance covers the other person involved in an accident. Usually, the other person will have the following things covered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">the cost of repairs to their vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">medical expenses for a third party<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damage to a third party\u2019s property<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your insurance provider is required to pay the other party involved in the accident, even if it\u2019s your fault. It\u2019s important to remember that your vehicle won\u2019t be covered with this kind of policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Third party, fire, and theft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s also a mid-level cover called third party, fire, and theft. This provides all of the standard third party cover, as well protection if your vehicle is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">stolen and can\u2019t be recovered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damaged during an attempted theft<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damaged by fire, whether it\u2019s deliberate or accidental (if you were the victim of arson, you\u2019d need to report it to the police so you can give your insurer a crime number)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bear in mind that there are limitations to the cover you get from third party insurance and you won\u2019t be covered for the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">damage to your own vehicle in an accident that was your fault (you\u2019ll have to pay for the repairs yourself)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">collision-related damage to your personal property \u2013 if your phone gets broken, for example<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">cost of repairs or replacements if you leave your vehicle unsecured \u2013 like leaving it unlocked or with the window open, for example<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">medical costs if you\u2019re injured in an incident<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comprehensive vs third party insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be difficult to assess what cover works best for you. Something to bear in mind is that third party cover is the simplest type of insurance you can get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With comprehensive cover, you can add on extra benefits like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/what-is-business-breakdown-cover\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1576\" >breakdown cover<\/a> and zero depreciation cover. This isn\u2019t usually an option with third party cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And there\u2019s also a difference in price that\u2019s worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is third party insurance cheaper than comprehensive insurance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not necessarily. Recent data suggests that comprehensive cover can actually be cheaper than third party options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gocompare.com\/car-insurance\/guide\/how-much-does-car-insurance-cost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Gocompare<\/a>, the average cost of third party insurance is \u00a3566 a year while comprehensive cover is \u00a3403 a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is often because insurers view drivers who choose third party only cover as higher risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The price of either level of cover depends on a variety of things. The price is based on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">your job or trade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">where you live<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">annual mileage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">the amount of voluntary excess you pay (the amount you\u2019re willing to pay towards any claim you make on your insurance)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">vehicle modifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">where your vehicle is parked overnight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">your age<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">your driving history, including any no claims discounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">any named drivers on your policy (insuring someone else to drive the vehicle)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-useful-articles\">More useful articles <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/vehicles\/ultra-low-emission-zone-business-guide\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1554\">Ultimate guide to ULEZ<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/vehicles\/business-car-leasing\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1274\">Guide to business car leasing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/vehicles\/electric-cars-and-vans-for-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1211\">Are electric vehicles worth it for your business?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\">What does business insurance cover?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-upsell-001\" class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94e519ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-ready-to-set-up-your-cover\">Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the UK&#8217;s biggest <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\">business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\">public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/quote.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business\">Start your quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u0422\u0438\u0445\u043e\u043d \u041a\u0443\u043f\u0440\u0435\u0432\u0438\u0447\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-end\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the key differences between the covers?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3650,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"conor-shilling","sb_review_date":"2026-02-24T16:11:42","sb_enable_content_gating":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[346,337],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[23],"class_list":["post-1368","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vehicles","category-sme-insurance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Comprehensive vs third party insurance \u2013 compared<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Deciding between comprehensive and third party insurance for your vehicle is an important decision. But what&#039;s the difference?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What\u2019s the difference between comprehensive and third party insurance?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Deciding between comprehensive and third party insurance for your vehicle is an important decision.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simply Business UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-24T16:31:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/comprehensive-vs-third-party.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"Zach Hayward-Jones\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/vehicles\/comprehensive-vs-third-party-insurance\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Zach Hayward-Jones\",\"description\":\"Zach Hayward-Jones is a Copywriter at Simply Business, with seven years of writing experience across entertainment, insurance, and financial services. 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