Comprehensive car insurance

Comprehensive car insurance, also known as fully comprehensive cover, is the highest level of car insurance cover you can get. It covers you and your car, as well as other road users in case of an accident, while third party, fire and theft and third party only policies exclude damage to your car. Across all levels of cover, most insurers will also give you the option to add optional cover to your policy at an additional cost. These add-ons usually include breakdown cover and legal expenses cover.

Comprehensive insurance cover will vary depending on the insurer, but most comprehensive policies cover accidental or malicious damage to your car, costs associated with fire and theft, windscreen damage, damage or loss of your personal belongings, expenses related to personal injury and replacing your car key or lock transmitter.

Historically, most comprehensive car insurance policies, as well as third party, fire and theft and third party policies, used to include ‘driving other cars cover’, meaning you would be insured to drive other vehicles, at least with third party cover. These days, fewer policies include this†, so you should always check your policy documents to see if you’re covered. Please bear in mind that cover to drive other cars is always subject to terms and conditions. When in doubt, it’s safer to assume you are not covered and avoid driving other cars until you know for sure.

Car insurance is a legal requirement to be able to drive in the UK and you can choose from three levels of cover: comprehensive, third party, fire and theft and third party only. When considering which level of cover to go for, it’s worth bearing in mind that a comprehensive policy provides the broader level of cover available and won’t necessarily cost you more. Ultimately, choosing the right insurance cover will be down to your own needs, but it’s important that you read all policy documentation thoroughly before deciding on a policy to make sure you understand exactly what you’re covered for.