Comprehensive Car Insurance
What is Fully Comp Insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance, sometimes called “fully comprehensive” or “full comp,” is the highest tier of motor insurance available in the UK.
It meets all legal requirements while covering the policyholder’s vehicle in many claim scenarios.
Unlike third-party or TPFT policies, comprehensive insurance includes protection for a broader range of risks and vehicle types, making it ideal for those seeking complete coverage.
This guide defines comprehensive car insurance, what it includes and excludes, how it compares to other cover types, optional add-ons, cost factors, and how to secure the best policy for your needs.
What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover (and what it doesn’t)?
Comprehensive car insurance protects against damage to your car, even when you're at fault, as well as third-party liabilities and non-collision events such as fire or theft.
Below, we detail what’s usually included and excluded in a standard comprehensive policy to help clarify the scope of cover.
What’s Covered?
A comprehensive policy commonly includes the following:
- Accidental damage: This covers repair or replacement if your car is damaged in an accident, even when you are responsible.
- Theft and attempted theft: Protects you if the vehicle is stolen or damaged during a theft attempt.
- Fire damage: Covers accidental or malicious fire affecting the car.
- Vandalism: Often included if you report the incident and provide evidence, such as a police reference number.
- Uninsured driver incidents: Some policies include repair costs if someone without valid insurance damages your vehicle.
- Third-party liability: Covers injury or property damage caused to others while driving.
- Windscreen and glass: Repairs or replacement may be included, though sometimes listed as optional.
This scope makes the comprehensive cover suitable for those seeking protection beyond standard road risks, particularly where the value of the vehicle or financing terms necessitate broader coverage.
What’s Not Covered?
While broad, comprehensive insurance does not cover every situation. Common exclusions include:
- Driving other vehicles: Not all policies permit driving cars not named on your policy; some may include this with restrictions.
- Undeclared vehicle use: Using the car for food delivery or business use without declaring it may void cover.
- Wear and tear: Age-related mechanical failures and general deterioration are excluded.
- Negligence: Claims may be rejected if the vehicle is unlocked or keys are left inside.
- Unlisted drivers: Damage caused by someone not named on the policy is typically not covered.
As coverage varies, it is essential to check the insurer’s policy document for exclusions and limitations before assuming protection in any scenario.
How Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Compare to Third-Party and TPFT Coverage?
Car insurance policies in the UK fall into three main categories: third-party, third-party, fire and theft (TPFT), and comprehensive.
Each offers a different level of protection, and understanding their differences is essential when assessing risk, vehicle value, and legal requirements.
What is Third-Party Car Insurance?
Third-party insurance meets the minimum legal requirement for driving. It covers damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property and any injuries to others in an incident where you are at fault.
It does not include cover for damage to your car, regardless of how the damage occurs.
This level of cover is sometimes selected for older or lower-value vehicles, although it is not always the cheapest option.
Many insurers associate minimal cover with higher-risk driving behaviour, which can result in higher premiums for some drivers.
What is Third-Party Fire & Theft (TPFT) Insurance?
TPFT extends third-party cover by protecting your vehicle during theft or fire. It does not include accidental damage to your car if you are at fault or the responsible driver is uninsured or unidentified.
This policy type is often chosen by drivers seeking more protection than third parties without committing to a fully comprehensive product.
The additional fire and theft components offer limited security for personal vehicle loss.
What is Fully Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance?
Fully comprehensive insurance includes all the protections of TPFT, with additional cover for damage to your car in most scenarios, even when you are responsible.
It expands on the mid-tier cover by including accidental damage, vandalism, and, in many cases, protection against uninsured drivers alongside third-party liability.
Some policies also include benefits such as windscreen repair, courtesy cars, or legal expenses, either as standard features or available through optional add-ons.
Despite offering the highest level of protection, fully comprehensive insurance can sometimes be more competitively priced than basic policies, particularly for lower-risk drivers.
Comparison of UK Car Insurance Coverage Types
The table below outlines how third-party, TPFT, and comprehensive policies differ regarding key coverage elements.
Coverage Type | Covers Own Vehicle | Third-Party Liability | Fire & Theft | Accidental Damage | Vandalism | Uninsured Driver Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Third-Party Only (TPO) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Third-Party, Fire & Theft (TPFT) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Fully Comp | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Which add-ons can be included with comprehensive insurance?
Comprehensive insurance allows drivers to extend standard policy features with targeted optional extras.
These add-ons cover specific scenarios not included by default, increasing convenience and financial protection in key risk areas.
Windscreen cover
This covers the repair or replacement of the windscreen and vehicle glass. It is often included in comprehensive policies, but some insurers apply exclusions (e.g., sunroofs) or excess fees.
Courtesy car cover
Provides a temporary replacement vehicle during repairs following an insured incident. Vehicle type and availability vary by insurer and policy tier.
Breakdown cover
Offers roadside assistance and recovery services in the event of a mechanical failure. Packages may include home start, onward travel, or national recovery. They are typically optional.
Motor legal expenses
Pays for legal support after a non-fault accident. Covers solicitor fees, court costs, and assistance with recovering uninsured losses, such as excesses or income disruption.
No-claims bonus protection
Protects your accumulated no-claims discount even after a claim. Requires a set number of claim-free years. It does not prevent premium increases but preserves discount entitlement.
Driving in Europe
Extends insurance coverage when driving abroad. Insurers may offer the same level of cover as in the UK or revert to local third-party minimums. Duration and region limits apply.
Personal accident cover
Pays a lump sum in the event of serious injury or death from a road accident. Typically covers permanent disability or loss of limbs involving the policyholder or named drivers.
Key cover
Reimburses the cost of replacing lost, stolen, or damaged keys. Some policies include lock changes and 24-hour locksmith services. Negligence-based exclusions may apply.
Why choose comprehensive insurance over other types?
Comprehensive insurance offers broad protection for your car and others on the road, covering incidents such as vandalism, single-vehicle accidents, and damage caused by uninsured drivers, risks typically excluded from third-party or TPFT policies.
It is especially suited for newer or financed vehicles, where repair or replacement costs can be significant and are not always recoverable under limited cover.
This level of insurance often provides faster claims processing, higher repair limits, and the option to add extras like legal support, personal accident cover, or courtesy vehicles, enhancing financial security and driving confidence.
Learn more with our detailed Motor Insurance guide.
How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?
The cost of comprehensive car insurance in the UK varies based on several factors, including driver profile, vehicle type, location, and driving history.
Insurers assess these elements to determine the level of risk associated with insuring a particular driver and vehicle.
Average Premiums from Leading Providers
Source | Average Annual Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Confused.com | £777 | The average price as of Q1 2025 is the lowest in nearly two years, following a 17% annual drop. |
Gocompare.com | £418 | Lowest since early 2023, down 7% from the previous quarter. |
Association of British Insurers (ABI) | £589 | Official Q1 2025 figure; down 5% quarter-on-quarter and 7% year-on-year. |
Factors Influencing Premium Costs
- Driver Age and Experience: Younger drivers, particularly those aged 17–24, often face higher premiums due to increased risk. For example, 18-year-olds pay an average of £2,434 per year. confused.com
- Vehicle Type: High-performance or luxury vehicles typically incur higher insurance costs.
- Location: Urban areas with higher traffic density and crime rates can lead to increased premiums.
- Annual Mileage: Higher mileage can elevate risk, affecting premium amounts.
- Driving History: A record of accidents or claims can result in higher premiums.
- No-Claims Discount (NCD): An extended NCD period can significantly reduce premium costs.
- Payment Method: Paying annually often results in lower overall costs than monthly payments.
Understanding these factors can help drivers make informed decisions and reduce their comprehensive insurance premiums.
Why Is Comprehensive Insurance Sometimes Cheaper Than Third Party?
Despite offering broader protection, comprehensive car insurance can cost less than third-party-only (TP) coverage for specific drivers.
This pricing outcome results from how insurers segment drivers based on claim risk.
Third-party policies often attract higher-risk drivers, including those with previous claims, limited experience, or higher-risk vehicles, who seek minimal legal coverage.
These drivers are statistically more likely to make claims, increasing the insurer’s exposure and rising premiums.
Conversely, comprehensive insurance is typically chosen by drivers with lower risk profiles.
These policyholders are likelier to have clean driving records, secure vehicle storage, and no claims history. As a result, they represent a more stable insurance group with fewer payouts.
Insurers favour comprehensive policyholders because they offer long-term value, lower claim frequency, and higher retention rates.
This allows insurers to price comprehensive policies more competitively, even though the coverage is significantly more extensive.
In short, Third-Party Insurance Coverage may seem cheaper by design, but comprehensive coverage results in a lower premium for many drivers due to reduced risk.
How Can I Get Cheap Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates?
Lowering the comprehensive car insurance rate involves managing insurers' risk assessment variables.
While some factors, like age and location, are fixed, others can be optimised to make your profile more appealing to underwriters.
Strategies That Lower Premiums:
- Protect your no-claims discount (NCD)
Avoiding claims preserves your NCD, which can substantially reduce your premium over time. Some insurers offer NCD protection after as few as one or two claim-free years. - Enhance vehicle security
Securing your car with approved immobilisers or alarms and parking it off-road or in a locked garage can reduce the chance of theft-related claims, lowering your premium. - Reduce mileage
Lower mileage reduces risk exposure. If your driving patterns are predictable and low, declare accurate mileage, not estimates, to avoid inflated pricing. - Consider black box insurance
Comprehensive telematics policies track how and when you drive. Safer driving scores often reduce premiums, particularly for younger or newly qualified drivers. - Pay annually
Monthly payment plans include interest. Paying upfront avoids financing charges, typically making the policy cheaper overall. - Use price comparison tools
Quotes vary between insurers, so shopping around, particularly at renewal, can uncover significantly better deals for the same level of cover. - Increase your voluntary excess
Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess can lower the base premium, but it must also ensure that the excess is affordable in case of a claim. - Avoid unnecessary extras
Only add policy features that offer measurable value. Stripping non-essential add-ons helps focus spending on core protection.
Each of these measures contributes to risk minimisation from the insurer’s perspective, allowing comprehensive cover to be offered at more competitive rates.
What Do I Need to Get a Quote?
Insurers must fully disclose vehicle details, personal information, and driving history to generate an accurate, comprehensive car insurance quote.
Each data point plays a role in calculating your risk profile and setting your premium.
1. Vehicle Details
- Make, model, and year
Used to determine insurance group rating based on performance, repair cost, and market value. - Modifications
Declare any non-standard additions or changes, even cosmetic or factory-fitted upgrades. - Storage location
Indicate where the vehicle is kept overnight, as location affects theft and damage risk. - Annual mileage
Accurate mileage helps assess your road exposure. Overestimates may increase costs unnecessarily. - Usage type
Clarify whether the vehicle is for personal, commuting, or business purposes.
2. Driver Profile
- Name, age, and occupation
These influence statistical risk modelling. Specific jobs and age groups are associated with higher claim frequency. - Address and postcode
Insurers use geographic data to reflect regional claims patterns, accident likelihood, and crime rates. - Driving licence type and duration held
Driving experience affects risk categorisation.
Full UK licences generally attract lower rates than provisional or international equivalents.
3. Driving and Claims History
- Past claims
Disclose all claims within the last five years, including no-fault incidents. - Convictions or endorsements
Include any motoring convictions or penalty points that remain on your licence. - No-claims bonus (NCB)
State how many claim-free years you’ve accrued and whether you’ve protected your NCB.
Accuracy is critical.
Misstated information can lead to incorrect pricing or invalidate your policy in the event of a claim.
Does Car Insurance Cover the Theft of Car?
Yes, comprehensive car insurance typically covers the theft of your car, including the whole vehicle being stolen and damage resulting from attempted theft.
This is a core inclusion in most fully comprehensive policies extending beyond third-party and TPFT cover types.
Ask CarVeto and See if a Car is Stolen.
What Is Covered?
- Full vehicle theft
If your car is stolen and not recovered, the insurer will usually pay the market value, subject to policy excess. - Damage from attempted theft
Insurers typically cover repairs to locks, windows, or ignition systems damaged during a break-in attempt. - Stolen parts
Some policies cover specific high-risk components like alloy wheels or catalytic converters. - Theft of contents
Limited cover may apply for personal belongings stolen from inside the vehicle, often with sub-limits and exclusions.
What Might Invalidate a Theft Claim?
- Unsecured vehicle
Leaving the car unlocked, with windows open, or keys left inside may void the theft cover. - Delayed police report
Most policies require you to notify the police promptly and provide a valid crime reference number. - Non-disclosure
Undeclared modifications, undisclosed claims history, or inaccurate vehicle use declarations can compromise your claim.
To validate a theft claim, insurers require accurate incident details and confirmation that all policy conditions were met during the loss.
Maintaining accurate records and prompt communication with authorities is essential for a smooth claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Some fully comprehensive car insurance policies include a “driving other cars” (DOC) clause, but this is not guaranteed. Where offered, DOC cover usually applies to the policyholder only, provides third-party protection, and excludes hired or owned vehicles. Always check your certificate of insurance for confirmation.
Yes. A black box (telematics device) can lower the cost of comprehensive insurance, particularly for younger drivers. It records real-time data on driving habits, such as braking, speed, and mileage, which helps insurers assess actual risk and reward safer behaviour with reduced premiums.
Check our Young Drivers Car Insurance guide.
Most comprehensive car insurance policies include European coverage, but the level varies. Some offer the same protection abroad as in the UK, while others default to the legal minimum in the destination country. Check your policy documents or contact your provider before travelling.
Yes. You can upgrade to comprehensive insurance during an active policy term. This process may involve an administration fee and a recalculated premium. The insurer will issue a mid-term adjustment to reflect the cover change.
No. Most insurers will decline the claim if the vehicle is stolen due to negligence, such as leaving keys inside or failing to lock the car. Comprehensive cover requires drivers to take reasonable steps to prevent theft.
Yes, but not all insurers offer comprehensive coverage for Category N vehicles. These are cars with non-structural damage that have been declared insurance write-offs. Approval may depend on a valid MOT, evidence of repair, and insurer criteria.
Find out When Cars are Written Off.
Comprehensive insurance protects your vehicle and third parties from damage, theft, and fire. Zero depreciation, a “new-for-old” cover, is an add-on that ensures you receive full replacement value for parts without deductions for age or wear.
Yes. Comprehensive motorcycle insurance offers wide-ranging cover similar to car policies, including theft, fire, accidental damage, and third-party liability. Availability and cost depend on the rider’s profile, bike type, and usage frequency.