Third Party Fire & Theft Car Insurance

Is a TPFT car insurance policy the right choice for you?

Motorists who are looking to cut the cost of car insurance often consider Third Party Fire and Theft (TPFT), instead of fully comprehensive cover

The minimum legal requirement to drive on a UK road is Third Party cover, which insures against any injury or damage to another person - including passengers - or property. So, if you drove into the back of another car, your policy would cover any injury to the other driver, plus any necessary repairs to their vehicle.

Third party fire and theft offers the same protection, but also includes loss or damage to your own car as a result of theft or fire. In other words, if your car was stolen, or destroyed or damaged in a fire, your policy should pay for a replacement or repairs.

It is important to remember that TPFT insurance does not cover any damage to your own car in the event of an accident that was your fault. Motorists who want the wider cover should take out a fully comprehensive policy.

Do I have to pay an excess with third party fire and theft?

There is no excess to pay on third party insurance because the policyholder cannot make a claim. But you will normally have to pay a compulsory excess on third party fire and theft insurance.

If you agree to a higher voluntary excess, you might be able to negotiate a lower premium. Just remember that the excess is the amount you must contribute towards any claim so it should be affordable. You can compare insurance quotes with different levels of excess on MoneySupermarket's online comparison service to make sure you get the best deal.

Is third party fire and theft cheaper than comprehensive cover?

Insurers traditionally charge less for third party fire and theft than for comprehensive cover because of the limitations of the policy. So it can be a sensible option for some people, often young drivers. If, for example, you drive an old banger worth £500, fully comprehensive cover might cost more than a new car.

But these days' third party fire and theft car insurance is not always cheaper than comprehensive. In fact, in many cases, a comprehensive policy is the low-cost option, as insurers alter their pricing to reflect the greater risk of claims from TPFT customers and to influence their market position.  

Some firms will even refuse to quote for third party or third party fire and theft, or will only insure older vehicles below a certain minimum value.

Motorists should therefore compare prices for all types of policy when searching for car insurance. You could end up paying a cheaper premium for comprehensive than for third party fire and theft, so you would pay less to get more cover. Plus you would buy the peace of mind that comes with fully comprehensive insurance.

MoneySupermarket's free online comparison service is a quick and easy way to check out premiums from a wide range of leading insurance companies. You can compare third party fire and theft quotes, plus find out how they stand up against comprehensive insurance. The average car insurance customer saves more than £350 on their annual premium using our website, so you could save money, too.