Fully comprehensive car insurance offers the broadest protection available in the UK, often covering both your vehicle and others in the event of an accident, theft or damage.
Despite its name, it’s often more affordable than third party only (TPO) policies, especially for new drivers.
The RAC states that fully comprehensive insurance “protects you from having to pay the full amount to have your car fixed in the event of a claim, in addition to protecting others if an accident is found to be your fault.”
However, they warn that it doesn’t mean that it protects you against everything, and drivers ought to be aware that they may have to pay extra for additional features, such as the below:
Source: RAC https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/insurance/what-is-comprehensive-car-insurance/
This guide breaks down the differences using real-world data so you can make an informed choice. All pricing referenced reflects UK-wide averages and does not represent Zego's actual pricing.
What is fully comprehensive car insurance?
Fully comprehensive insurance covers damage to your own car, third-party vehicles, property and injuries, even if you're at fault.
This type of cover protects you in a wide range of scenarios: collisions (whether you're at fault or not), theft, vandalism, fire and accidental damage. It also includes third-party cover by default, meaning you're insured if you injure another person or damage their vehicle or property.
Many drivers assume that more cover means higher premiums. However, according to MoneySuperMarket, the average fully comprehensive policy in the UK in 2025 costs £537.82 annually when paid upfront, or £566.66 when paid monthly, typically lower than many third party options.
Similarly, MoneySavingExpert details that average annual prices from April to June 2024, taken from Confused.com, show that while third party, fire and theft (TPFT) cost £1,648, and TPO cost £2,112 – fully comprehensive insurance on average was the cheapest at £882.
How does fully comprehensive cover compare to TPO and TPFT?
While TPO offers drivers the minimum legal requirement for them to get on the road, it doesn’t necessarily mean it costs the least, or even offers the most protection.
There are three main types of car insurance cover in the UK. They include:
- TPO: Covers damage to others, but not your own car
- TPFT: Adds limited protection for your own vehicle in the case of fire or theft
- Fully comprehensive: Covers third parties and your own vehicle, regardless of who’s at fault
Surprisingly, fully comprehensive policies are often cheaper than TPO ones, even though they offer the biggest benefits for drivers. In 2025, MoneySuperMarket reported average annual premiums as follows:
Policy type | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
Fully comprehensive | £537.82 | £566.66 |
TPFT | £627.43 | £793.64 |
TPO | £825.08 | £998.08 |
So, why the price gap? Insurers see third party buyers – especially new drivers – as higher risk because they don’t have as much experience as those who have been driving for a longer time. According to Money Saving Expert, TPFT and TPO policies often attract those most likely to claim, pushing up the cost.
Do new drivers really save more with fully comprehensive cover?
Yes, new and younger drivers often get better value from fully comprehensive policies than basic TPO ones.
The data speaks for itself: Uswitch reports that drivers aged 17-to-24-years old pay an average of £1,924 per year for car insurance. Opting for TPO cover doesn't always reduce that cost, and could even raise it.
Moreover, it states that drivers in Greater London pay more than £284 per year, on average, for car insurance than any other English region, and men pay around 17% more on average for car insurance than women.
This is because fully comprehensive drivers are statistically less likely to claim; many third party buyers are higher-risk, inflating premiums across that group; and insurers offer more discounts (like no claims bonuses) to fully comprehensive holders.
Only 8% of UK drivers now opt for TPO cover, according to Quotezone, with slightly higher uptake in London (10%) and the South East (8%). Most drivers, including those under 25, now gravitate toward fully comprehensive policies for cost and peace of mind.
It's also worth noting that insurance prices on the whole have been dropping. In the past year alone, premiums fell by 16% (£161) according to Confused.com – the biggest monetary annual decrease on record – making this level of cover even more attractive.
Why does this matter?
Choosing the wrong policy could cost you more if something goes wrong.
TPO policies might tick the legal box, but they leave you exposed to any damage to your own vehicle. That means if you reverse into a post, are hit and can't prove fault, or suffer vandalism, you're footing the bill.
On the other hand, fully comprehensive policies provide:
- Cover for both parties involved
- Protection against weather damage, theft and vandalism
- Additional add-on options like courtesy cars or legal cover
And yet, as Compare the Market via MoneySavingExpert found, TPFT policies can cost as much as £1,476 a year – considerably more than many fully comprehensive deals.
With the car insurance market valued at £21.9bn in 2024 according to Uswitch, and the Association of British Insurers stating that £11.7bn worth of motor claims were taken out in the same year, making a smart insurance choice has never been more important.
What's right for you?
For most drivers, especially those who are new to the road, fully comprehensive insurance is often the smarter, more cost-effective choice. It delivers wider protection, often at a lower price, and signals to insurers that you’re lower risk.
If you're comparing policies now, don’t default to a TPO policy just because it sounds cheaper in theory. It’s worth running a quote for comprehensive cover too, as it may surprise you.
Zego specialises in car insurance for new drivers, offering flexible options designed around real-life needs. Whether you're 18 or 28, have a black box or not, our fully comprehensive cover helps you drive with confidence and rewards good driving habits.
Explore our options for:
Get covered today and make your first policy work harder for you.
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