Comprehensive car insurance
Minimum Insurance Cover
In 1930 the UK government introduced a law that required every person who used a vehicle on the road to have at least third party personal injury insurance. Today UK law is defined by the The Road Traffic Act which was last modified in 1991.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive car insurance, or "fully comp" as it is occasionally referred to, is recommended for cars over £1000 in value and becomes necessary for cars over £5000 in value. "Comprehensive" is generally taken to mean that both your car and any damages and injuries arising from it are comprehensively covered. Specifically:
- Liability for injuries to other people, including passengers
- Liability for damage to other people's property
- Liability of passengers for accidents caused by them
- Liability arising from the use of a caravan or trailer, while attached to the car
- Liability for loss in the event of theft of your vehicle
- Liability for damage to your vehicle in the event of fire
- Accidental damage to your own car
- A personal accident benefit - certain amounts are paid in the event of the death or specific permanent disablement of the policyholder (and sometimes his or her spouse or family member)
- Medical expenses necessarily incurred, up to a stated limit
- Loss of or damage to personal effects in the car, up to a stated limit.
Please Remember:
When driving a vehicle as part of a "Driving Other Cars" policy, cover is limited to third party only, even if you have comprehensive cover on your own vehicle.
For very low value vehicles, read more about:
Third Party Car Insurance
For cover not including damages or injuries sustained by yourself, read more about:
Third Party Fire & Theft Car Insurance.