Insurance 101

Comprehensive vs Third Party: how to actually choose

The price gap is real. The cover gap is bigger. A practical, jargon-free guide to picking the right motor insurance for your car and your wallet.

Walk up to any insurance agent in Nigeria and ask for motor insurance, and within ten seconds you'll be asked one question: third party or comprehensive?

For something this consequential, very few people actually know what they're choosing between. Let's fix that.

Third Party (TP) cover

Compulsory by law. The cheapest option. Covers damage you cause to someone else — their car, their property, their injuries — but pays nothing for damage to your own vehicle. If you drive into a Lexus while not paying attention, third party pays for the Lexus. Your bumper is your problem.

Comprehensive cover

Everything third party covers, plus damage to your vehicle from accidents, theft, fire, vandalism, and natural disasters. Premiums are typically 4–5% of the insured value of your car per year.

The honest rule of thumb

If your car is worth more than ₦1.5m, comprehensive almost always pays for itself. If your car is older or worth less, the math may not work — in which case Third Party Fire & Theft is a sensible middle ground we offer at most price points.

Filed under Motor Explainer
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