Comprehensive Insurance Vs Third Party Insurance

Comprehensive car insurance offers protection to the insured car against third-party liabilities and own damages due to unanticipated incidents such as fire, theft, etc. While third-party insurance only covers third-person liabilities. To know which motor insurance suits you and your car better, it is recommended to understand the differences between comprehensive and third party insurance in detail.

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Comprehensive Vs Third-Party Insurance

Comprehensive and third-party car insurance are different from each other based on coverage and purpose. A table of comparison of these two car insurance plans is the best way to know their difference:

What is Comprehensive Insurance?

Also known as a Private package policy, full coverage car insurance, comprehensive insurance is an extensive car insurance policy that covers risks related to own damages sustained by the insured car. As mentioned above, comprehensive car insurance is a combination of third party insurance and own damage insurance.

This car policy provides comprehensive coverage against third party liabilities and loss or damages caused to the insured car due to accidents, vandalism, fire, theft, manmade and natural calamities. It also covers accidental third-party property damages or physical injuries caused to the third person due to the insured motor vehicle.

The owner-driver of the insured car can also get a Personal Accident Cover of up to Rs. 15 Lakh under this policy.

The comprehensive coverage can also be enhanced by selecting additional covers, such as engine protector, accessories cover, medical expenses, zero depreciation cover, etc. This cover is widely recommended, offering full-fledged coverage to the policyholder.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

A comprehensive car insurance policy safeguards the insured vehicle against the following:

• Manmade acts like vandalism, strikes or riots
• Theft, Burglary or Housebreaking
• Damages caused by a bird or an animal or rat bite causing electrical damage
• Accidental damages when the insured car was in transit via roadways, railways, airways, etc
• Fire, self-ignition or explosion of the insured vehicle
• Damages caused by natural disasters like floods, hailstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.
• Third-party liabilities (death, injury and property damage)

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Not Cover?

Here are the factors that are excluded from the coverage of a comprehensive insurance plan:

• Wear and tear and ageing of the motor vehicle
• Depreciation borne by the car
• Mechanical or electrical breakdown
• Damages caused to tubes and tyres. If the vehicle has got its tubes and tyres damaged because of an accident, then the insurance provider's liability would be restricted to 50 percent of the total replacement charges.
• Damages caused when driving the car without a valid driving licence
• Damages caused due to driving under the influence of intoxicants such as alcohol.
• Any loss or damage due to mutiny, war, or a nuclear attack

Add-Ons Under Comprehensive Car Insurance

As stated above, you can also enhance the coverage of your standard comprehensive car insurance by purchasing additional covers. Some of these add-ons include:

• Zero Depreciation Cover
• Roadside Assistance Cover
• NCB Protect Cover
• Consumables Cover
• Engine Protect Cover

What is Third Party Insurance?

A third-party car insurance policy provides coverage against any legal liability arising from injuries to a third party due to the insured car. It covers damages and injuries caused by the insured vehicle to a third-party person or property.

As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, it is mandatory for every motor vehicle owner to buy at least third-party insurance coverage in India.

What Does a Third-Party Car Insurance Cover?

A Third party liability insurance policy covers the following risks caused by the insured four-wheeler:

• Third-Party Injuries/ Death - It compensates a third person if he/ she gets injured or dies due to an accident caused by your car.
• Third Party Property Damages - It covers your legal liabilities towards third parties for damaging their property from your car up to Rs 7.5 lakh.
• Personal Accident Cover for Owner-Driver - It provides compensation to the owner-driver of the insured car in case of accidental death or disability.

What Does Third Party Car Insurance Not Cover?

Third-party insurance doesn’t provide coverage for the cost of damage caused to any car or any belongings in the automobile if there is any unforeseen accident.

Along with that, it won’t provide coverage to your car or if your belongings are damaged or stolen. Moreover, you cannot enhance a third-party plan's coverage by purchasing add-ons.

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Factors to Consider Before Choosing the Right Car Insurance Policy

The pros and cons of these two car insurance policies depend on many elements. It is crucial to understand these factors to analyse, compare, and then make a wise decision.

1. The Value of a Car

   In case the value of your vehicle is low, it’s recommended to buy third-party insurance only, as the repairs to the damages could be managed very easily. It is economical to pay the repair bills as compared to paying for the high premium of comprehensive insurance coverage.
   On the other hand, if your car is new and expensive, it is recommended to buy comprehensive insurance coverage.

2. Coverage

   A third-party insurance policy provides coverage against the damages to any third-party vehicle and bodily injuries caused to any third party due to an accident. Few insurance providers charge a little extra for third-party coverage. However, this policy doesn’t provide any coverage against the damages caused to your own vehicle.

   If you’re seeking coverage for the damages caused to your vehicle, you should buy a comprehensive car insurance plan. This policy offers broad coverage, as it includes third-party liability as well. Comprehensive coverage is expensive compared to third-party insurance, as it provides broader coverage.

3. Cost

   A comprehensive plan is expensive compared to a third-party policy because it covers injuries, damages, and theft. However, it is good to be safe than sorry. A road mishap is unfortunate, and it can wash out your savings in one go. There can be minor variations when it comes to the exclusions and benefits, as it varies from insurer to insurer.

   If you want peace of mind and the right insurance coverage for your vehicle simultaneously, then you should buy a comprehensive car insurance plan since it will fulfil all your insurance needs.