What is comprehensive car insurance?
Learn about comprehensive car insurance. Find out what’s covered. And compare Gold, Silver and Bronze comprehensive car cover with Tesco Car Insurance.
Published: 31 December 2025
What are the different types of car insurance?
The 3 main types of car insurance policy are:
- Third-partyThird-party
- Third-party, fire and theftThird-party, fire and theft
- Comprehensive car insurance - sometimes called ‘fully comp’Comprehensive car insurance - sometimes called ‘fully comp’
What is the difference between comprehensive and third-party insurance?
Third-party car insurance is the most basic and the legal minimum for driving in the UK. It covers you for causing damage to another car or property, but not your own.
Third party, fire and theft includes cover for your own car in case it's stolen or damaged by theft and fire.
Comprehensive car insurance covers you for damage to your own car, even if you’re at fault.
What does comprehensive car insurance cover?
Comprehensive car insurance gives you the highest level of protection when you're driving. It covers you for damage to your own car and others - even if you're at fault.
It’s designed to give you peace of mind in a wide range of situations. It covers everything included with Third-party, fire and theft, and can also include things like:
- personal belongingspersonal belongings
- misfuellingmisfuelling
- windscreen repairswindscreen repairs
- stereos and sat navsstereos and sat navs
- personal accident coverpersonal accident cover
Most comprehensive car insurance policies also offer add-ons, so you can increase your cover.
With Tesco Car Insurance, you can choose our Bronze, Silver or Gold comprehensive Car Insurance policy. Plus optional extras, including Motor Legal Protection, Breakdown Cover and Key Cover.
What comprehensive car insurance doesn't cover
Despite its name, comprehensive car insurance doesn’t cover you for everything. For example, it doesn't cover you for theft or damage caused by reckless driving or careless behaviour. That includes:
- leaving your doors unlockedleaving your doors unlocked
- leaving the engine runningleaving the engine running
- being under the influence of alcoholbeing under the influence of alcohol
If you have Tesco Car Insurance, there are certain things you won’t be covered for. For example, you won’t be covered if someone drives your car and they’re not insured for it. And you won’t be covered for using your car -
- on a racetrack or circuiton a racetrack or circuit
- for some business purposes - for example, as a taxi or delivery servicefor some business purposes - for example, as a taxi or delivery service
- for criminal purposesfor criminal purposes
You can find a full list of exclusions in our Car Insurance policy booklet.
How much is comprehensive car insurance?
Your insurance provider will take different things into account when working out the price of your car insurance. That includes:
- your personal circumstancesyour personal circumstances
- the level of cover you choosethe level of cover you choose
Comprehensive car insurance can sometimes be cheaper than third-party. That’s because drivers who take out comprehensive cover are often seen as lower risk.
If you’re looking for cover, it’s always worth getting a quote for comprehensive car insurance. Then you can compare prices.
Learn more about comprehensive Car Insurance
Learn more about our Bronze, Silver and Gold comprehensive car cover and find the one that’s right for you. For drivers aged 21 and over.
Help for Car Insurance customers
If you’re a Tesco Car Insurance customer, find out how to manage your policy, get in touch or make a claim.
Important information
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.