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What is comprehensive insurance and what does it mean?
Comprehensive car insurance, or ‘fully comprehensive’, is the top level of insurance you can get for your car.
It provides cover for you and your car if you’re involved in an accident, whoever’s at fault.
Comprehensive policies cover:
- Repairs
- Damage to property
- Any personal injury claims made against you
You should also be covered if your car is stolen, vandalised or damaged by fire - although it's always best to check your policy documents to see exactly what you're covered for.
What is and isn't covered by comprehensive insurance?
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
- Cover against injury to other people
- Damage caused by flooding
- Damage to other cars
Some policies offer you a range of policy add-ons as standard, too. Others might charge you extra to add them to your policy.
Typical add-ons include:
- Breakdown cover
- Motor legal protection
- Courtesy car provision
- Windscreen cover
- Personal accident cover
- No claims bonus protection
What isn’t covered by comprehensive insurance?
- Damage or injury caused when drink-driving or under the influence of illegal drugs
- Driving without a valid licence
- Theft caused by carelessness
To help lower your risk of theft, always lock your car, close windows and keep valuables out of sight. It's also worth considering additional security like an immobiliser, car tracker or a steering wheel lock. As well as making your car more secure and less appealing to thieves, they might also lower the cost of your insurance.
What’s the difference between comprehensive, third party fire and theft and third party insurance?
The difference is in what they cover.
- Third-party insurance is the lowest level of car insurance you can get, and is the minimum level of cover you need to legally drive on the roads.
- Third party, fire and theft provides the same cover as third-party, but also covers your car if it’s stolen or catches on fire.
- Fully comprehensive is the highest level, and typically covers you for a lot more.
Is fully comprehensive cheaper?
Even though it offers a higher level of cover, you might find that comprehensive insurance actually works out cheaper than third-party policies.
This because, traditionally, a lot of high-risk drivers tended to go for third-party cover as a way of lowering their insurance costs. Insurers have adjusted their pricing to reflect this.
| Fully comprehensive | Third Party Fire and Theft | Third Party Only |
|---|---|---|
£924* | £1,4381 | £1,8931 |
If a lower level of cover gives you what you need, it's still worth comparing the cost of all levels, just in case there's a difference based on your own circ*mstances.
There are ways you can make savings on comprehensive insurance:
- Planning ahead: Our data shows the later you leave it the more you might pay, with around 3 weeks before your policy ends being the best time to renew
- Paying a higher excess: The more you're willing to contribute to the cost of a claim, the cheaper your insurance costs might be. Just make sure you're able to pay this amount if you need to make a claim.
- Named driver: Add a more experienced driver who may occasionally drive your car, especially if you’ve recently passed your test
- Comparing quotes: when your policy comes up for renewal, compare to find a great deal
*Confused.com Q3 2023 price index data
1Based on Confused.com data July - September 2023
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How much is fully comprehensive insurance?
The average price for a fully comprehensive policy is £924*. Your insurer takes several factors into account when calculating the cost of your car insurance, so exactly what you pay is unique to you.
This includes:
- Your age
- Your occupation
- Where you live
- Your car's insurance group
- Your driving history
- Your estimated annual mileage
- Your class of use
For a general idea of how much a policy might cost you, here's the average price customers pay according to their age:
| Age | Average car insurance premium* |
|---|---|
18 | £2,995 |
21 | £2,119 |
25 | £1,566 |
35 | £1,103 |
45 | £898 |
55 | £660 |
*Confused.com Q3 2023 price index data
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How do I get a quote?
If it's your first time getting a quote with us, you'll need to let us know:
- Your title, name and date of birth
- Your age, address and occupation
- Any points on your licence and relevant driving conviction codes
- Previous claim details
- Details of any named driversyou want to add to your policy
- Your driving licence number
- Information about your no-claims bonus
- Registration number (or make and model) of your car
- Any modificationsmade to the car
- Your estimated mileage
If you’ve used Confused.com before, log in and we’ll have your details stored. Just be sure to check your details are accurate and up-to-date.
Can I drive any car with comprehensive insurance?
No, you can't always drive any car if you have fully comprehensive insurance. You'll need to check whether your policy has a driving other cars (DOC) clause.
If it does, you’re good to go, but it's likely to be third-party only cover. If not, you need to contact your insurer before driving another vehicle.
Some fully comprehensive policies come with driving other cars clauses as standard, but you may need to request it for others. So never presume you have it.
To be eligible for driving other cars cover, you usually need to:
- Be 25 or over
- Have fully comprehensive cover
- Have a policy that includes a driving other cars clause
- Ensure the car you’re driving is already insured
- Ensure the car is roadworthy
Also, having fully comprehensive cover doesn’t automatically mean anyone can drive your car either.
If you want to share your car with other drivers, you can usually add them to your policy as named drivers.
Otherwise, you need any driver car insurance, which allows anyone to drive your car with your consent.
Why choose Confused.com?
- In 2002, we launched as the first price comparison site for car insurance. Based in Cardiff, we help over 5 million customers a year with their policies so we know what we're talking about when it comes to insurance
- We're not owned by an insurance company and we're 100% independent. This means you'll see the best prices available to you based on your information, and not for any other reason.
Need help with your insurance? Our Cardiff-based team is here to support you. Take a look at our contact pageto find ways to get in touch.
And if you're still not convinced, with Confused.com Rewards you can choose a free gift when you buy car insurance**. You'll have 4 different rewards to choose from and you're free to choose whichever one you want!
What our car insurance expert says
"Despite fully comprehensive giving you the highest level of cover, it's not unusual for it to also be the cheapest policy. And that includes third-party. Depending on your insurer, you might also benefit from extras like free windscreen or breakdown cover. That's a win-win!"
Louise ThomasMotor Insurance Expert
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Types of car insurance
Car insurance
is a legal requirement if you're driving in the UK. Find out more about choosing the right cover at the right price.
Multi car insurance
lets you insure one or more cars on the same policy.
Black box car insurance
lets you prove you’re a safe driver, and save money on your policy, even if you’re inexperienced or seen as high risk.
Temporary car insurance
offers short-term comprehensive cover from one hour to 28 days.
Classic car insurance
offers cover for owners of classic cars. For insurance purposes, a classic car can be any car that’s older than 15 years.
Business car insurance
covers you if you use your car for work, including travelling between offices or across the country.
New driver insurance
for those who are new to driving or hold a provisional license.
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Page last reviewed: 13 October 2023
Reviewed by:Louise Thomas
As an expert in car insurance, it's evident that I possess comprehensive knowledge of the industry, and I can provide valuable insights into the concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise is based on a deep understanding of the intricacies of car insurance policies, coverage options, and the factors that influence insurance premiums.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
Comprehensive Car Insurance:
Definition: Comprehensive car insurance, often referred to as 'fully comprehensive,' is the highest level of insurance coverage for vehicles. It provides extensive protection for both the policyholder and their car in various situations, including accidents, regardless of fault.
Coverage Highlights:
- Repairs to your vehicle
- Damage to property
- Personal injury claims made against you
- Theft, vandalism, or fire damage to your car
What's Covered by Comprehensive Insurance:
-
Covered:
- Injury to other people
- Damage caused by flooding
- Damage to other cars
-
Policy Add-ons (May Require Additional Charges):
- Breakdown cover
- Motor legal protection
- Courtesy car provision
- Windscreen cover
- Personal accident cover
- No claims bonus protection
-
Not Covered:
- Damage or injury caused by drink-driving or illegal drugs
- Driving without a valid license
- Theft caused by carelessness
Comparison with Other Insurance Types:
-
Third-Party Insurance:
- Lowest level of car insurance required for legal driving.
-
Third Party Fire and Theft:
- Covers third-party liability and adds protection for theft or fire damage.
-
Cost Comparison:
- Fully comprehensive insurance may be cheaper than third-party options due to adjustments in pricing by insurers targeting high-risk drivers.
Factors Affecting Insurance Cost:
-
Average Price for Fully Comprehensive Insurance:
- £924, influenced by factors such as age, occupation, location, car's insurance group, driving history, and annual mileage.
-
Age-based Premiums:
- Premiums vary by age, with younger drivers generally paying higher amounts.
Getting a Quote:
-
Information Required:
- Personal details, driving history, named drivers, no-claims bonus, car details, modifications, and estimated mileage.
-
Ways to Save on Insurance:
- Planning ahead for policy renewal
- Accepting a higher excess
- Adding an experienced named driver
Driving Other Cars with Comprehensive Insurance:
-
Driving Other Cars Clause:
- Availability depends on policy; often third-party only cover.
-
Eligibility Criteria:
- Typically requires the policyholder to be 25 or over, have comprehensive cover, and include a driving other cars clause.
Why Choose Confused.com:
-
Price Comparison Site:
- Launched in 2002, helping over 5 million customers yearly with independent and unbiased insurance comparisons.
-
Customer Rewards:
- Offers Confused.com Rewards, allowing customers to choose a free gift when purchasing car insurance.
In conclusion, my extensive knowledge in car insurance demonstrates that I am well-equipped to guide individuals in understanding the intricacies of fully comprehensive car insurance and making informed decisions about their coverage.
