You have to have motor insurance before you can drive your vehicle in a public place. Motor insurance protects you, your vehicle and other motorists against liability in the event of any accident. It provides financial compensation to cover any injuries caused to people or their property.
Third party only
This cover is the minimum legal requirement. This level of cover ensures that compensation is available in respect of injury to other people (including your passengers) or damage to other peoples' property resulting from an accident caused by you. It doesn't cover damage to your own car or any costs incurred by you as the result of an accident.
Most insurance companies offer additional levels of insurance cover that go beyond the legal requirement. The precise nature of cover will vary from company to company.
Third party fire and theft
This provides the same cover as third party only and also insures you should your vehicle be damaged by fire or stolen.
Comprehensive
This provides the same cover as third party fire and theft. However, it also covers you and your car should your vehicle be damaged in an accident. Many additions to this level of cover are available from insurance companies including:
providing a courtesy car while your car is being repaired
legal expenses insurance to recover your uninsured losses (such as your excess)
roadside recovery schemes
vehicle repairs in case of breakdown
Excesses and Limits - An Excess is a part of a claim that you will have to pay yourself. The insurer will pay the remainder of the claim. Most insurance policies have maximum limits that will be paid out in the event of a claim. Check that these are acceptable.
Insured Drivers - A policy may only cover you to drive or it may cover other named drivers too. It may also allow anybody to drive your car with your permission.
Use of vehicle - Your policy will state for which use your car is insured, Social Use or Business Use.
Limited Mileage - If you only drive a few miles in a year, your premium may be lower.
No Claims Discount - If you have had no accidents that were your fault, you may be eligible for a discount on your premium.
Protected Discount - You can add on this additional benefit which protects your No Claims Discount even if you make a claim.
Driving Abroad - If you take your car abroad you may want to extend the insurance cover to give you more than the minimum legal requirement in each country you visit. You should also ask your insurer for a Green Card which proves that you have the minimum required cover to drive abroad. You don't need a Green Card for all countries so check with your insurer.
Third party only
This cover is the minimum legal requirement. This level of cover ensures that compensation is available in respect of injury to other people (including your passengers) or damage to other peoples' property resulting from an accident caused by you. It doesn't cover damage to your own car or any costs incurred by you as the result of an accident.
Most insurance companies offer additional levels of insurance cover that go beyond the legal requirement. The precise nature of cover will vary from company to company.
Third party fire and theft
This provides the same cover as third party only and also insures you should your vehicle be damaged by fire or stolen.
Comprehensive
This provides the same cover as third party fire and theft. However, it also covers you and your car should your vehicle be damaged in an accident. Many additions to this level of cover are available from insurance companies including:
providing a courtesy car while your car is being repaired
legal expenses insurance to recover your uninsured losses (such as your excess)
roadside recovery schemes
vehicle repairs in case of breakdown
Excesses and Limits - An Excess is a part of a claim that you will have to pay yourself. The insurer will pay the remainder of the claim. Most insurance policies have maximum limits that will be paid out in the event of a claim. Check that these are acceptable.
Insured Drivers - A policy may only cover you to drive or it may cover other named drivers too. It may also allow anybody to drive your car with your permission.
Use of vehicle - Your policy will state for which use your car is insured, Social Use or Business Use.
Limited Mileage - If you only drive a few miles in a year, your premium may be lower.
No Claims Discount - If you have had no accidents that were your fault, you may be eligible for a discount on your premium.
Protected Discount - You can add on this additional benefit which protects your No Claims Discount even if you make a claim.
Driving Abroad - If you take your car abroad you may want to extend the insurance cover to give you more than the minimum legal requirement in each country you visit. You should also ask your insurer for a Green Card which proves that you have the minimum required cover to drive abroad. You don't need a Green Card for all countries so check with your insurer.