Types of car insurance online

There are three main types of car insurance:

• Third Party Only

• Third Party Fire and Theft

• Comprehensive

Which type of car insurance you choose depends on the amount of risk you want to take and how much you intend to pay. Comprehensive insurance will cost you more, but will offer greater protection.

Third Party Only

This is the minimum level of cover required by UK law in order to drive, and covers you only for claims made against you by other people for damage to them, their property, or their motor vehicle/s. When you have this type of insurance, your insurance company will pay your liability to the other people involved in the accident, but you will receive nothing personally. This means that your car and possessions will not be replaced - if your car is written off, or stolen, you will not receive compensation.

Third Party Fire and Theft

Third Party Fire and Theft offers the cover of Third Party (above) but also adds cover for your own car, in the event of a mishap. This means that if your car is damaged by fire, or is stolen, the insurer will pay the replacement costs. But you still have to pay for damage or loss to your car that is caused by eventualities other than fire or theft.

Comprehensive

Although more expensive comprehensive cover offers far more protection to the UK motorist. Again you are covered for third party risks, but also damage to your own vehicle.

Beware: if you are a high risk (for example, a young inexperienced driver with a powerful car, or someone who has been involved in many accidents, or someone who has been prosecuted for drink driving) insurance companies may refuse to offer comprehensive cover to you.