If you are planning to drive in the UK, the minimum legal requirement is that you have third party car insurance.
Third party, fire and theft car insurance can be cheaper than other types of car insurance but it is also more limited in the cover it provides.
What is 3rd party fire and theft car insurance?
Third party cover insures you against any injury or damage to a third party or their property you cause while you're driving.
3rd party fire and theft insurance provides the same cover but will also cover you if your car is damaged or destroyed by a fire or is stolen by thieves. This is the minium level of car insurance that many UK car insurance provide.
For example, a 3rd party fire and theft insurance policy would typically cover:
- Injury to another driver if you drove into them
- Repairs to the other vehicle caused by you driving into them
- Your car being stolen
- Your car being damaged by fire
While cheap third party, fire and theft insurance provides basic cover it does not cover any damage to your car in an accident that was your fault. It often also doesn’t cover theft or damage to your personal effects.
If you want to ensure that damage to your car is also covered you should look for a comprehensive car insurance policy.
When you’d consider the cheapest third party car insurance
You would normally consider a third party car insurance UK policy if you’re looking to keep the cost of your car insurance as low as possible.
3rd party fire and theft car insurance is normally cheaper than a fully comprehensive policy although it is sometimes worth obtaining quotes for both types of cover as the difference in price may be minimal.
Third party insurance is often preferred by drivers of low value cars. This is because the price of comprehensive cover can sometimes be more than the value of the car itself.
What to look for when searching for cheap 3rd party car insurance
When looking for a third party fire and theft car insurance quote you should take the following factors into account:
- The cost of cover
- What discounts are available (such as for buying online or being a ‘new customer’)
- Whether you’ll be charged more for paying by direct debit
- Whether the policy includes fire and theft cover or whether it is strictly ‘third party’ only
When searching for cheap third party car insurance UK drivers should also obtain quotes for comprehensive car insurance cover.
You may find that the cost of a comprehensive policy is only slightly higher than a cheap third party fire and theft car insurance policy, and you’ll benefit from better cover.
