Third-Party Car Insurance
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Why Compare Third-Party Car Insurance With SimplyQuote?
Third-party insurance is the minimum insurance cover required by UK law, so there’s no way around not having this level of cover. This means it’s vital to have it even though it offers the lowest level of car insurance.
SimplyQuote understands how stressful, time-consuming and daunting comparing insurance quotes from multiple insurance providers can be. That’s why the online comparison tool simplifies the entire process.
Effortlessly scour the motorcar insurance market and cherry-pick the best third-party-only insurance policy suited to your budget and vehicle needs.
Finding and comparing third-party cover has never been this easy.
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
You’ll need to give us the following information before we can give you a third-party car insurance quote:
- Your details
- Vehicle details – make, model, age
- Registration details – number plate, whose name the vehicle is registered in
- UK address
- Annual mileage
- Claims history
Why Do You Need Third-Party Car Insurance?
As mentioned, you need third-party insurance cover to legally drive on UK roads.
It is the minimum legal requirement.
Without it, you can face severe penalties, fines or even a prison sentence.
To avoid confusion, third-party insurance is also known as:
- Third-party-only insurance
- TPO cover
When is TPO cover a good option?
- If your car isn’t worth very much
- If you don’t drive your car very often
What are the benefits of this car insurance policy?
- You meet the legal minimum level of car insurance
- Third-party persons/property are protected in the event of a car accident
- Cheaper rates for older vehicles
Looking for the best third-party car Insurance? Get your quote today!
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What Does Third-Party Car Insurance Cover?
Third-party insurance covers damages to third-party persons, their vehicles and/or their property. It offers financial protection against third-party claims so you don’t have to foot the bill.
It won’t, however, compensate for damage to your car or pay medical expenses if you are injured in an accident.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s covered:
- Damage to someone else’s car – if you caused the car accident or incident
- Damage to someone else’s property – if your car crashed into someone’s wall, fence or building
- Injury to others – if you’ve injured any passengers in the collision
What’s not covered
- Damage to your own vehicle (if the accident was your fault)
- Fire damage to your car
- Theft
- Uninsured/unnamed drivers
- Damages caused by negligence
- Damaged caused when under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol
- Personal medical costs if you’re injured in an accident (e.g. surgery or physiotherapy costs)
What Levels Of Third-Party Car Insurance Can You Get?
There are no levels of third-party insurance as this is the minimum level of car insurance in itself.
You do, however, get more advanced levels than third-party cover such as:
- Third-party, fire and theft – includes basic TPO and will compensate you if vehicles are damaged by fire or stolen
- Comprehensive car insurance – includes both TPO and TPFT levels and will pay repair costs if your vehicles are damaged in an accident
What Add-Ons Are Available For Third-Party Insurance?
There are several add-ons you can add to your TPO insurance policy:
Motor legal protection
If someone takes legal action against you over a road accident that wasn’t your fault, motor legal protection will cover the legal costs.
Personal accident cover
With this add-on, you’ll be able to claim compensation for any injuries you sustain in a road accident. It effectively covers you the same way that third-party insurance covers other drivers.
Breakdown cover
This add-on will grant you roadside assistance and repairs should you find yourself broken down. Breakdown cover is the most popular add-on for third-party cover.
Courtesy car cover
If your car needs to go into the garage for repairs, courtesy car cover will provide you with a vehicle to use in the meantime.
No claims bonus protection
In the long run, maintaining a no-claims discount (NCD) will make your car insurance much cheaper over time. However, driving is unpredictable, and you could find yourself making several claims along the way. No-claims bonus protection allows you to keep your no-claims record, even if you have to make a claim.
Windscreen protection
Some insurers may offer windscreen cover to basic TPO policies. This will pay the repair or replacement costs if your windscreen is damaged, cracked or broken.
EU cover
This add-on allows you to confidently travel across the UK border, knowing third-party persons/property is sufficiently covered.
Temporary car insurance
You can get this policy if you need car insurance for a few hours, a couple of days or just a month or two. It provides temporary insurance cover, hence the name.
Looking for the best third-party car Insurance? Get your quote today!
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How Much Does Third-Party Car Insurance Cost?
Third-party insurance costs vary between insurance providers and can range from £246 to £607 per year. Back in the day, third-party insurance was the cheapest cover but as times have changed, you’ll often find comprehensive cover is cheaper.
Prices are determined by several factors such as the age of your vehicle, how long you’ve had your driving licence, your driving habits and how often you use your car.
How are TPO insurance premiums calculated?
- Driver age: Beginner drivers aged 17 – 25 pay more for their insurance, regardless of their level of the cover.
- Vehicle type: Insurance providers will thoroughly review the car you drive and offer you a premium that reflects the model and age.
- Driving history: Not only will your claims history be examined, but also the road offences you’ve committed and the number of points you’ve got on your license.
- Occupation: Interestingly, although it doesn’t relate directly to the road, the stress level of your job could see you paying more for insurance.
- UK location: If you live in the countryside or a small town and have just a small daily commute to make, you can expect your insurance costs to be lowered. However, if you live in the middle of a built-up city and have a lengthy daily commute, you can expect your insurance premium to be higher.
- Mileage: If you regularly take your car out for cross-country drives, then you’ll likely pay more for insurance than the driver who only uses their car occasionally.
How Can You Get Cheaper Insurance Rates?
Try these handy tips to reduce the price of third-party insurance cover:
- Compare TPO quotes from various UK insurance providers with SimplyQuote
- Pay premiums annually
- Increase your voluntary excess
- Reduce your mileage
- Opt for black box (telematics) technology
- Secure vehicles overnight/when not in use
- Keep claims to a minimum
How To Compare Third-Party Car Insurance Quotes With SimplyQuote?
Comparing TPO insurance with SimplyQuote is easy and hassle-free:
- Fill in the short form: Tell us about yourself, your vehicle, and your location.
- Choose policy add-ons: Choose which additional cover add-ons you want.
- Compare quotes: Find a quote to suit your budget and taxi insurance needs.
- Save money: Get the best deal to start saving today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Third-party cover, also called third-party-only (TPO) car insurance, is the lowest level of motor vehicle insurance in the UK. It is a legal requirement allowing you to drive on UK roads as per the Road Traffic Act 1988. It covers compensation/damage claims made against you by third parties but doesn’t cover damage repair costs for your own car.
No, third-party insurance does not cover theft. You will need to upgrade your level of cover to third-party, fire and theft or comprehensive car insurance for this cover.
You can’t drive someone else’s car if all you have is third-party insurance on your own vehicle. Third-party insurance, like most insurance levels, only permits you to drive the vehicle you are registered to. To drive someone else’s car, you’ll need to be listed on their car insurance as a ‘named driver’.
Although third-party insurance doesn’t cover you for damages caused to your car that weren’t your fault, the other driver’s car insurance will. After an accident that wasn’t your fault, you will be approached by the other driver’s insurance company to settle the claim.