Multi-car insurance policies
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For full peace of mind, compare comprehensive car insurance.
A comprehensive car insurance policy, also known as fully comprehensive cover, is the highest level of car insurance you can buy.
Even if an accident was your fault, it will cover you and your car, as well as paying out for any damage or injury caused to others and their vehicles or property.
It’ll also cover your car for situations like theft, fire and vandalism.
Comprehensive is the highest level of car insurance cover but depending on your needs it may not always be the best option.
The right policy for you will largely depend on the level of cover you need and the price you’re willing to pay. Other options to consider include:
TPO is the legal minimum level of cover you must have in the UK. It only covers other people, their vehicles and property, but not you or your vehicle.
It’ll cover the costs of damage or injury you cause to third parties when driving.
Insures you for damage or injury to other people, their vehicle or property.
Plus, your car is covered for repairs or replacement if it gets stolen or is damaged by fire.
Insurers monitor your driving habits using a black box installed in your car or via a smartphone app.
This encourages safer driving and can help to lower the cost of premiums for younger drivers.
Fully comprehensive cover can offer real peace of mind as it protects you and pays to repair damage to your car in so many different situations - even if you’re involved in an accident that was your fault.
Coverage may or may not include the following:
All policies differ but, in general, a comprehensive car insurance policy will include cover and compensation for:
Your policy documents will also list exclusions, which you won’t be covered for. Some typical exclusions are:
If you need to claim, we’ll pay £250 towards your excess^. Just another reason to make your life choices on Go.Compare.
^Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Car insurance purchases only. Excludes breakdown, windscreen and glass repair/replacement. Full T&Cs apply.
^^Based on Go.Compare analysis of successful claims, August 2019 - June 2022.
When you compare quotes, you’ll need to tell us a few things like:
Including your name, date of birth, address and job
Make, model and year (or its reg number) and whether it’s ever been modified
Let us know your car’s mileage and how you’re going to be using it, then pick the level of cover and any add-ons you need
You might expect comprehensive car insurance to be the most expensive cover option. It offers the most cover after all. But it's often cheaper than TPO and TPFT policies.
Our customers paid £379 on average for comprehensive cover, which is 34% cheaper than third-party only cover at £510.[2]
The cost of your own car insurance premiums will depend on factors like your:
*[2]The average price of a comprehensive policy is £379. Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) is considerably more at £361, and third party only (TPO) is more again, at £510.
There are a few things you can try to reduce your premiums for comprehensive cover including:
The fewer miles you drive the less risk there is of an accident, so the lower your premiums are likely to be. But always be as accurate as possible when estimating your mileage.
Choosing a higher excess will lower your premium. Just make sure you can afford the amount you’ll have to pay in the event of a claim, otherwise you’ll end up out of pocket.
With monthly premiums you’ll also be paying interest, so choosing an annual payment will work out cheaper.
If you don’t drive to work, you won’t need cover for commuting. And be aware of buying unnecessary added extras - for example, you may already have breakdown cover sorted.
By monitoring your driving habits, insurers can more accurately calculate your premiums. This can help lower the cost for younger and new drivers.
Adding performance-enhancing features like altered exhaust systems, spoilers, and more expensive wheels can bump up the cost of car insurance.
Installing Thatcham-approved alarm systems and immobilisers can help deter thieves and reduce your premiums.
Previously, having a comprehensive policy often meant you could drive another person’s car. But this doesn’t usually apply anymore and your cover is only valid for the car detailed in your policy.
Some policies do have a ‘driving other cars’ (DOC) clause. Typically, this is just to be used for emergencies, but your policy documents will explain the specific circumstances it applies to.
However, you’ll only be covered for DOC on a third party basis. So, if you’re involved in an accident that damages the car you’re driving, it won’t be covered. But it will cover damage to a third party’s car or property.
Insurers typically don’t offer policies that include DOC cover to drivers under 25.
To get the exact cover you need it’s possible to tailor your comprehensive car insurance with optional extras:
If your car breaks down, this cover provides roadside rescue to help get you up and running again.
This can help to cover legal expenses if you need to claim against another driver or protect yourself from someone making a legal claim against you.
More about motor legal protection
If your car is out of action following a car accident, this can cover the cost of a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired.
If you’re seriously injured or killed in a car accident, this cover can provide you or your loved ones with a lump sum to help cover bills and other expenses.
More about personal injury cover
This will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windscreen if it ever gets damaged.
Covers the cost of replacing your car key if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
More about replacement key cover
If your belongings are stolen or damaged while in your car, this can provide you with compensation up to the limit listed on your policy.
More about personal belongings cover
The wrong fuel in your car can cause major damage. This optional add-on can help to cover the cost of draining your tank and making any repairs needed.
This cover will keep your no-claims discount intact even if you need to make a claim.
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Page last reviewed: 13th September 2023
Page reviewed by: Jasmine Hembury
^Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Car insurance purchases only. Excludes breakdown, windscreen and glass repair/replacement. Full T&Cs apply.
[1]As of September 2023, there are 170 active car insurers on the panel at Go.Compare.
[2]The average price of a comprehensive policy is £379. Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) is considerably more at £361, and third party only (TPO) is more again, at £510.