Car insurance: how to get third-party or comprehensive cover cheaply
Third-party, comprehensive and add-ons: what's the difference
“Car insurance” covers several different policies. Third-party insurance is compulsory: it pays for the harm you cause to other people and their property in an accident. Comprehensive insurance protects your own car against accidents, theft and other risks, as set out in the policy. Add-ons such as zero depreciation or roadside assistance extend the cover. People often mix these up and buy the wrong thing, so first decide what you need.
On BlaBlaPrice you describe your car and the type of policy once, and insurance agents and brokers send offers. It is free for buyers.
What to put in your request
- type of cover — third-party, comprehensive, own damage only, add-ons;
- make and model, for example Skoda Octavia;
- engine size (or electric), because the third-party premium depends on it;
- year of manufacture;
- car value — for comprehensive cover this is the sum insured;
- city of registration, because it can affect the premium;
- drivers and experience — how many drivers, their age and experience, any no-claim bonus;
- policy terms — deductible, limits, period, extra options (glass, assistance);
- budget, if you want to state one.
Example: “I need comprehensive insurance for a 2023 Skoda Octavia, 1.8 engine, value $34,000, registered in Vancouver. One driver with 10 years' experience, deductible as low as possible, 12 months, with glass cover and roadside assistance. Budget up to $670.”
What to compare in comprehensive cover
The same price can mean different cover. Check the sum insured, whether there is a deductible (do you pay the first part of the loss), the list of risks and the claim terms: repair at the dealer's workshop or a cash payout, and whether depreciation is deducted. Also look at the exclusions and at how the insurer pays for theft and for damage to glass and mirrors.
Cheap comprehensive cover usually has a bigger deductible or fewer risks. Ask how fast and under what conditions the company settles claims, and read the reviews.
Third-party cover and add-ons
Third-party premiums are often tightly regulated, so the price depends on engine size, the type of car and similar factors. The difference between offers is often in extra services and how easy it is to buy. If you want add-ons, say which ones and for how long.
How the comparison works
Agents reply in chat: policy, price, terms, how it is issued. BlaBlaPrice compares the offers and shows the best one first, with reviews next to it. Sellers can see where their offer stands among the others and can improve their terms.
A common mistake is choosing by price alone without reading the claim terms. Bought a car recently? Look at registration and re-registration and car sourcing and inspection.
