As you may be aware, motor insurance is a form of coverage provided to registered vehicle owners. All drivers must renew their car insurance and road tax annually.
Before renewing your insurance, you must know the types of policies available in the market. There are three types of policies that provide different coverages: i) comprehensive insurance, ii) third-party, fire, and theft insurance, and iii) third-party insurance.
In this article, Bjak will explain the differences between comprehensive insurance (1st party) and third-party insurance (3rd party).
1st party insurance
1st party or comprehensive insurance provides extensive coverage to the insured. It covers the damage to the insured’s car due to an accident, fire or theft. The policy also covers third-party liability in vehicle damages, bodily injury, or death.
To help you better understand 1st party insurance, refer to several situations below covered by a 1st party policy:
- Your car is damaged for running into a traffic pole. You can apply for an insurance claim under the Own Damage claim. However, you will lose your No Claim Discount (NCD).
- Your car hits a wild animal while driving. You can apply for an Own Damage claim. However, you will lose your NCD.
- Your windscreen is damaged. You can apply for an Own Damage claim (if you do not have additional windscreen coverage). However, your NCD rate will return to 0% after the claim.
- Your windscreen is damaged. You can make a claim without affecting your NCD. However, this only applies to policyholders who have additional windscreen coverage in their policy.
- Your car catches fire accidentally or as a result of sabotage (your NCD remains if the fire is caused by other parties).
- Your car is stolen (you are proven not guilty).
- You run over another car. The third party can claim under your policy. You may also repair your vehicle damages under this policy. However, your NCD will return to 0%.
- You car gets hit by another car.
- Someone hits your car. You may claim under a third-party claim (there is no need to claim under your insurance). Your NCD will not be affected.
3rd party insurance
Third-party insurance is the most basic car insurance policy with the minimum level of coverage. It only covers the third party, who is the claimant.
With a third-party policy, you have to cover the cost of your vehicle damage (if you cause the accident). You are not entitled to claim for your vehicle damage because the insurance policy will only compensate the third party.
Check the examples below for better understanding:
- You run into a traffic pole which causes damage to your vehicle. Can you claim if you own a third-party insurance policy? – NO
- You run into a wild animal while driving. Can you claim under a third-party policy? – NO
- Your car catches fire. Can you claim under a third-party policy? – NO
- Your car is stolen. Will the insurance company compensate you if you own a third-party policy? – NO
- Your car runs over another vehicle, causing severe damage. Can you claim to repair your car damage? – NO
- Your car runs into another vehicle (third party). Is the owner allowed to claim under your third-party insurance? – YES
The differences between 1st party insurance and 3rd party insurance
Let us learn the differences between 1st party and 3rd party insurance:
| Coverages | 1st party insurance | 3rd party insurance |
| Own vehicle damage | / | X |
| Fire | / | X |
| Theft | / | X |
| Vehicle damages, injury or death of a third party | / | / |
| Towing service | / | X (Available with a charge) |
| Emergency assistance such as jumpstart, tyre and battery replacement | / | X |
| Windscreen coverage | / | X |
| Additional coverage | / | Limited (Windscreen and special perils coverage cannot be added) |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Purchase eligibility | Car owners with a 10-year-old vehicle purchased through bank loans are required to get this policy. Some insurers set a maximum age limit of vehicles between 16 – 25 years for 1st party insurance. | Owners with vehicles aged 15 and over |
Get the best car insurance coverage
We hope you find this article helpful to give you insight regarding 1st party and 3rd party insurance.
For more information on car insurance, check out our other articles on Bjak’s blog. Watch this space as we provide tips and tricks on motor insurance and more!
Bjak is one of Malaysia’s biggest insurance comparison websites, offering policies from over 10 brands. Get your free insurance quote from Bjak today!
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