Fully Comprehensive Car Insurance

Third-party cover pays for injury and damage you cause to others. Third party, fire and theft adds your car if stolen or burnt out. Comprehensive also covers damage to your own car.

Not always. Some drivers find comprehensive costs the same as, or less than, a lower level of cover, as insurers price each level on who tends to buy it. Compare all three.

It covers the people named on the policy. Anyone else driving your car needs to be added, or covered by their own insurance where that allows it.

Some policies include driving other cars, usually third-party only and often with conditions such as age. Many policies no longer include it, so check before you rely on it.

Many comprehensive policies include windscreen and glass cover, often with a separate, lower excess. A windscreen claim may not affect your no claims bonus on some policies.

Many policies offer a courtesy car while an approved repairer fixes yours. It is often a small car and may not be provided if your car is stolen or written off.

The part of a claim you pay yourself. There is usually a compulsory excess set by the insurer, and you can add a voluntary excess. You pay both together on a claim.

Naming someone as the main driver when another person really drives the car most, often a parent and a young driver. It can void a claim, so name the real main driver.

Yes. Changes to the engine, wheels, body, suspension or appearance can change the risk. Undeclared modifications can affect a claim, so tell the insurer before or as soon as you make a change.

Not usually. Driving to and from a regular place of work is commuting, which needs to be on the policy. Business use, such as visiting clients, is separate again.

A discount built up for each year without a claim. It can be protected for an extra cost on many policies, though protection does not stop the price rising after a claim.

Not usually. Breakdown cover is normally a separate product or an optional extra. Comprehensive covers accident, fire and theft damage, not mechanical failure or a flat battery.

Many policies include some cover for driving in Europe, sometimes only third-party and for a set period. Check the cover level and any time limits before you travel.

It can. Insurers may ask about all claims, whoever was at fault, and some take them into account. Your no claims bonus is usually protected if the costs are recovered.

Look beyond the price to the total excess, courtesy car, windscreen cover, driving other cars, extras such as breakdown and legal cover, and no claims protection.