Choosing cover
Comprehensive vs third party car insurance
By Sipho Dlamini · 7 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your own car plus damage you cause to others, while third party only covers damage you cause to other people and never pays to fix your own vehicle. [Third party fire and theft](/claims/third-party-fire-and-theft-claim/) sits in between, adding cover for your car against fire and theft but not accident damage to it. Choosing well comes down to your car's value and what you can afford to lose.
This guide explains all three South African cover types, what each does and does not pay for, and how to decide. We are an independent information site, not a broker.
Every price here is indicative, so always get your own quotes before deciding.
The three cover types at a glance
South African car insurance comes in three broad levels. The table below compares them. It is a general guide and your policy wording always governs the detail.
| Cover type | Damage to your car (accident) | Fire and theft of your car | Damage you cause to others | Typical cost (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Highest |
| Third party, fire and theft | No | Yes | Yes | Middle |
| Third party only | No | No | Yes | Lowest |
This comparison is indicative. Always confirm exactly what your chosen policy includes and excludes.
What comprehensive car insurance covers
Comprehensive is the widest cover. It pays for accident damage to your own car, fire, theft and attempted theft, and damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property, plus their injury claims up to the policy limit.
Most policies also include extras such as towing, emergency repairs and sometimes car hire. It does not cover everything, though. Wear and tear, mechanical breakdown and driving without a valid licence are common exclusions, and every claim carries an excess.
What third party fire and theft covers
[Third party fire and theft](/claims/third-party-fire-and-theft-claim/), often shortened to TPFT, covers your liability to others and adds protection for your own car against fire and theft. It does not pay to repair your car after an accident that is your fault.
This can suit a car that is worth protecting against theft but where you are willing to carry the risk of accident repairs yourself. It is usually cheaper than comprehensive but more than third party only.
What third party only covers
Third party only is the most basic legal style cover. It pays for damage you cause to other people's property and for their injury claims, up to the policy limit, but nothing towards your own car at all.
It is the cheapest option and exists mainly to protect you from a large claim if you damage an expensive car or property. If your own car is written off in an at fault crash, you get nothing for it under third party only.
Which cover suits which driver
Comprehensive usually makes sense for financed cars, where the bank often requires it, and for newer or higher value cars you could not easily replace.
[Third party fire and theft](/claims/third-party-fire-and-theft-claim/) can suit a mid value car you want protected against theft but not accident damage. Third party only often suits an older, low value car where the cost of comprehensive is high relative to what the car is worth. The rule of thumb is to weigh the premium against the cost of replacing your own car.
Things to check on any policy
Whatever level you choose, check the excess amount and whether it is fixed or a percentage, the exclusions, and how the car is valued at claim time under retail, market or agreed value.
Answer all questions honestly, because non disclosure about the main driver, parking or modifications can void a claim on any cover type. Verify the insurer on the FSCA register, and remember that an unfairly rejected claim can go free of charge to the National Financial Ombud, which absorbed the former Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What does comprehensive car insurance cover?
It covers accident damage to your own car, fire, theft and attempted theft, and damage you cause to other people's vehicles, property and persons up to the policy limit. Exclusions such as wear and tear still apply, and every claim carries an excess.
What is the difference between comprehensive and third party?
Comprehensive covers your own car as well as damage you cause to others. Third party only covers damage you cause to other people and never pays to repair or replace your own vehicle.
What is third party fire and theft?
It covers your liability to others and adds cover for your own car against fire and theft, but not accident damage to your car. It sits in price and protection between comprehensive and third party only.
Do I have to take comprehensive cover?
Not by law, but if your car is financed the bank usually requires comprehensive cover until the loan is paid off. For an unfinanced older car, a lighter cover type may be enough.
Is third party only ever a good idea?
It can be for an older, low value car where comprehensive costs a lot relative to the car's worth. It protects you against a big claim from damaging someone else's property, but it pays nothing for your own car.
Which is cheaper, third party or comprehensive?
Third party only is the cheapest, third party fire and theft is in the middle, and comprehensive is the most expensive because it covers the most. Get indicative quotes for each to compare for your car.
Does comprehensive cover everything?
No. Common exclusions include wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, driving without a valid licence and undisclosed risk. Always read the exclusions and the excess on your specific policy.
What if my claim is rejected?
Dispute it internally first. If you remain unhappy, you can take it free of charge to the National Financial Ombud, which now handles complaints formerly dealt with by the Ombudsman for Short Term Insurance.
