There are several different types of car insurance policies in the UK. In fact, you can cater a policy to suit your own individual needs which means almost all drivers will have different policies on the road. The most important thing to consider when you are looking into the different coverage options is that you feel adequately protected and financially secure.

Car Insurance Policies

So what options do you have? All UK drivers must have a minimum coverage policy. This is referred to as a third party policy and will cover damage and physical injury to the other driver if you are found at fault for the accident. Third party cover will also provider compensation to any passengers that are injured in your car. What it does not cover, however, is damage to your own vehicle.

If you choose to stick to only the minimum coverage and are in an accident that is deemed your fault, then you will be stuck paying for the vehicle losses out of your own pocket. For some drivers this is fine, especially if you are driving an old vehicle on its last leg anyway. For other drivers, however, having to pay for a brand new or expensive vehicle is not something that you are prepared to do. If this is the case, then you might want to consider a different type of car insurance.

Another common type of cover is third party fire and theft insurance which covers everything that is included in the above policy but it will also provide you with compensation in the event that your car is damaged due to fire or if it is stolen. Again, you will still be out of pocket if you are in an accident deemed your fault and your car is damaged, but it is some of the cheapest insurance with more cover than third party policies.

The most popular and most comprehensive car insurance is appropriately termed comprehensive cover. It covers all damage to your car including in the event of an accident, theft or fire as well as medical expenses, damages to personal items that may have been inside your car (mobile phone, laptop, iPod, etc).

Comprehensive car insurance is your best option if you drive an expensive vehicle or if you are leasing the car. Most dealerships require their drivers to have this type of protection if you are leasing. Furthermore, when you purchase comprehensive car insurance you know that, regardless of how bad the accident is, your car, yourself and your family are financially covered.

Optional Car Insurance Extras

These three types of car insurance are the main choices you have when you compare car insurance in the UK. However, you can also tweak your policy to include optional extras and choose how much coverage you want of each type. If you own a performance or sports car, for example, then a good specialised type of cover to go for is high performance insurance.

Another option is breakdown cover which will pay for the costs of towing as well as other roadside assistance. After an accident your car will most likely be undriveable. Breakdown coverage pays to get your car off the side of the road and into a mechanic right away. You may also include rental car insurance which pays for a hire car while your vehicle is being fixed.

Other coverage options to look into include short term cover, legal expenses cover and driving overseas insurance. All of these can be added to any policy for a little extra. When you are looking for the different types of car insurance to compare auto cover, knowing what options you have is the first step to finding exactly what you need.