third party / fully comp

bluesnake

two questions

At which point (should a replacement car be unnecessary) is it worth while going from fully comp to 3rd party fire and theft? The difference between the two for me is about £30

If I have a car worth £1000 with £600 voluntary excess and I have a small accident/scrape regardless who was at fault...
If i am fully comp I will get £400, but will lose the car?
If I am tpft I will get nothing and keep the car?

Quentin

The blame for the accident would be important. As you would be able to get the full £1000 from the third party if they were to blame irrespective of what cover you held.

If you can save by getting third party cover then go for it.

You wouldn't want to claim off your own policy over £400 and lose your ncd! Then maybe have to pay for a new policy too.

artbaron

Also bear in mind TPFT is normally more expensive than fully comp.

Quentin

If you are happy not to make a claim off a policy (and just want the cheapest legal cover) then try putting in a massive excess (eg swiftcover allow £1000 irrespective of the car's value) and see if comp. cover works out cheaper than TPFT.

(Generally excesses are only payable for claims for damage to your own car, and not third party claims against you - though check to be sure)

forgotmyname

I have fully comp but no guaranteed hire car. If my cars written off i will go and buy another instead.

Not wait for them to payout.

At least if you have comprehensive if someone hits your car and they are being awkward you can leave it to your insurance.

If your 3rd party they are likely to say thanks for informing us and have a nice day. Nothing in it for them unless they recommend you to some accident company and get comission.

But you can do that yourself. Get the comission.

Quentin

forgotmyname wrote: »

At least if you have comprehensive if someone hits your car and they are being awkward you can leave it to your insurance.

If they are being awkward you can still use a claim handler yourself even if you have comprehensive cover.

forgotmyname

I was thinking if you were 3rd party your insurance may not help much. So have to do more work yourself.

Mate had an issue years back. Lad borrowed parents car whilst they were on holiday and crashed into my mate.
Police arrested him etc.

Mate was 3rd party only and the insurance just said we sent a letter and go no reply so are closing the case.
Legal protection did the same. Wrote a letter which got returned not at this address. Although he did still live there.

scheming_gypsy

Quentin wrote: »

If you are happy not to make a claim off a policy (and just want the cheapest legal cover) then try putting in a massive excess (eg swiftcover allow £1000 irrespective of the car's value) and see if comp. cover works out cheaper than TPFT.

(Generally excesses are only payable for claims for damage to your own car, and not third party claims against you - though check to be sure)

that's what i do ^^

£1000 excess; if i crash the car I'll stick it on eBay.. or break what I can and then scrap it. I won't lose my excess or NCD

EdGasket

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

that's what i do ^^

£1000 excess; if i crash the car I'll stick it on eBay.. or break what I can and then scrap it. I won't lose my excess or NCD

If you crash into someone else, which is the most likely scenario, then you will certainly have to claim on your insurance to pay the TP's claim.

scheming_gypsy

They'll claim on my insurance but if somebody crashes into me or i hit a tree, i won't be claiming on my insurance.

and why is it the most likely scenario? or are you just deciding that I like to drive into people?

Regardless of anything. The point is that i wouldn't claim on my insurance for a claim on my car.
I keep forgetting that you need to spoon feed some people on here.

rs65

Fully comp also provides windscreen cover and maybe other benefits depending on insurer.