First-Party vs Third-Party Car Insurance | Coverage and Benefits (2024)

The advent of digitalisation across businesses has made purchasing car insurance policies more convenient than before. All reputed insurance companies sell their plans online through various channels. This has made comparing and choosing a car insurance policy suited to your requirements far easier than before.

Here are different types of car insurance policiesand their major differences.

Different parties involved in car insurance policy

The primary entities involved in a car insurance policy are the policyholder, the insurance company, and third parties. First-party car insurance involves the policyholder, who purchases coverage directly from the insurer to protect their own vehicle. This coverage encompasses damages incurred by the insured vehicle due to accidents, theft, or natural disasters.

On the other hand, third-party car insurance involves three key parties: the policyholder (first party), the insurance company (second party), and any other individual or property not associated with the insurance contract (third party). In this scenario, the insurance company provides coverage for damages caused by the policyholder's vehicle to third-party individuals or property. Discussed further in this article are the different types of car insurance in detail.

Types of car insurance

There are primarily three types of vehicle insurance plans in India. Read on to know about them.

1. First-party car insurance

First-party car insurance, as the name suggests, refers to the coverage of the policyholder’s own vehicle against financial loss or damage. Should an insured car be stolen, vandalised, damaged in an accident, or due to any natural calamity, first-party insurance takes care of the losses incurred by the vehicle owner. In short, it covers the losses a policyholder can suffer because of damage caused to their own car.

The importance of first-party car insurance cannot be overstated as it provides peace of mind, knowing that should an unfortunate event take place, one's vehicle is covered. With many car insurance policies available in the market, first-party car insurance is among the most commonly bought types of coverage.

2. Third-party car insurance

A third party can be anyone under a vehicle insurance plan other than the first party. It refers to individuals who can get affected by the first party's actions while driving the insured vehicle.

In case of any accidental damage caused to the third party's property or vehicle, the first party must compensate for the damages. The insurance company will handle the liabilities as an essential part of third-party insurance.

Compared to a comprehensive car insurance plan, a third-party car insurance plan come at a lower price due to the limited coverage and benefits. The Motor Vehicles Act mandates every vehicle owner to have third-party insurance by law. You may pay a hefty fine or face legal consequences for not having third-party insurance.

3. Comprehensive car insurance

A comprehensive car insurance policy combines the advantages of both, first-party and third-party insurance. You can also choose to enhance your car insurance plan with add-on covers.

Knowing the different terms used in the insurance domain can benefit policy buyers when making claims. Also, when purchasing the plan or renewing the car insurance plan.

Difference between first-party and third-party car insurance

Here’s a quick look at the difference between a first-party vs third-party insurance plan:

Differentiating pointsFirst-party insuranceThird-party insurance
MeaningFirst-party car insurance caters to the vehicle of the person who purchases the insurance policy.A third party in an insurance policy can be anyone. To specify, it can be any individual or property that gets affected by the first party's vehicle.
CoverageFirst-party insurance covers the damages or losses caused to the policyholder or his/her vehicle. Covers the damages sustained The damages can be sustained during riots, strikes, earthquakes, floods, fire, theft etc.Third-party insurance covers damages or losses caused only to the third party due to an accident.
Accident coverThe first party gets a comprehensive personal accident cover on the policy. The first party is eligible to receive a substantial personal accident cover with such policies. The first party can raise a claim against it depending on the terms and conditions.In case of an accident, the concerned third party will get coverage basis the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal’s decision.
Legal mandateAs per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, purchasing a first-party car insurance policy is not mandatory.In this case, it is mandatory to purchase a third-party cover as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988.
Policy purchaseIt is the first party who purchases the policy.The first party/vehicle owner purchases the policy to cover the third-party liabilities financially.


After understanding the distinctions between first-party and third-party insurance, opt for a plan that aligns with your specific needs. To get motor insurance coverage, explore both car and bike insurance policies on the Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall website. Easily purchase any desired policy by following a few straightforward steps. Explore the differences between car insurance first party vs third party to make an informed decision.

Now that you have read the difference between first-party and third-party insurance plans and choose a plan that suits your requirements. To purchase such motor insurance policies seamlessly, visit the Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall website to explore both car and bike insurance policies. Purchase any policy by completing a few simple steps.

First-party (comprehensive) car insurance plans

Here’s a quick glance at first-party car insurance plans available at Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall.

Car insurance company

Network garages

Third-party cover

Personal accident cover

Claim settlement ratio

ACKO Car Insurance

-

Yes

15 lakh

95.45%

Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance

6,500+

Yes

15 lakh

98%

SBI General Car Insurance

6,600+

Yes

15 lakh

92%

ICICI Car Insurance

12,000+

Yes

15 lakh

93.40%

HDFC Car Insurance

6800+

Yes

15 lakh

91.23%

TATA AIG Car Insurance

7500+

Yes

15 lakh

90.49%

First-Party vs Third-Party Car Insurance | Coverage and Benefits (2024)

FAQs

First-Party vs Third-Party Car Insurance | Coverage and Benefits? ›

Fortunately, the difference is very straightforward. First-party insurance provides compensation directly to the insured individual or business, whereas third-party insurance provides compensation to another party when the insured person or business is liable for damages.

Which is better, first-party or third-party insurance? ›

First-party insurance provides extensive coverage, ensuring financial protection for your vehicle and yourself. In case of an accident, theft, or damage, the insurance policy takes care of the repair or replacement costs, reducing your financial burden, which is not offered in third-party policy.

What is the difference between a first-party and a third-party insurance claim? ›

A first-party insurance claim is a claim you make directly against your own insurance. A third-party insurance claim occurs when you submit a claim to someone else's insurance provider. The third-party definition is going outside of your insurance provider when seeking compensation.

What is 3rd party coverage in insurance? ›

Third-party insurance is a form of liability insurance that covers you when someone makes a claim against you for damages. A common example of this is auto insurance, which will pay another driver who is injured in an accident that you have caused. Another common type of third-party insurance is for property damage.

Will a third-party claim affect my insurance? ›

Will a Third-Party Claim Affect My Insurance? Typically, third-party claims are separate from your insurance. If you are worried about your premiums being affected, you can file the third-party claim directly with the insurance company of the person at fault.

Which risks are covered under first-party and third party insurance? ›

First-party insurance helps you respond to data breaches on your own organization's network and systems, while third-party insurance helps pay for any lawsuits caused by data breaches on a client or partner's network and systems.

When should I switch to third party insurance? ›

If your car is damaged in the same event, and the accident is your fault, it won't be covered for repairs. So, if the value of your car isn't huge, third party car insurance may be enough cover for you. But if you think you'll need to cover your vehicle, comprehensive car insurance might be worth considering.

What is covered under third party insurance? ›

Third party

This is the minimum legal requirement and covers you for damage to someone else's vehicle or property or injury to someone else in an accident. This includes accidents caused by your passenger. It doesn't cover repairs to your own vehicle.

Can I claim directly from third party insurance? ›

You can still claim from the other driver's insurer for any injuries or losses not covered by your own policy. These are called uninsured losses and can cover alternative transport while your own vehicle is being repaired, loss of earnings, personal injuries and the excess on your policy.

What is the basic difference between the first party and third party liability insurance? ›

First-party insurance provides compensation directly to the insured individual or business, whereas third-party insurance provides compensation to another party when the insured person or business is liable for damages.

What is an example of a third party insurance claim? ›

Examples of such damages would be payment for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost wages. Imagine you're involved in a car accident caused by another driver running a stop sign, leading to vehicle damage, a broken arm, and whiplash. In such cases, you might file a third-party insurance claim.

What is third-party liability risk? ›

Third Party Liability exposures affect organisations of all sizes and are anything that can lead to legal and financial responsibility for injury, damage or harm to a third party.

What is the difference between full cover insurance and third party insurance? ›

The main difference between comprehensive and third-party insurance is the coverage offered. A third-party insurance covers only the damages caused to the third party and their property or vehicle. Whereas comprehensive car insurance covers both own damage and third-party liabilities.

Who pays the excess in a third party claim? ›

If both parties have insurance, both will claim and are liable for an excess. Once paid, your insurer can claim back from the third party's insurance for a refund. The recovery thereof, hinges on the accuracy of the third party's details recorded at the time of the accident.

What is the difference between a first party claim and a third party claim? ›

The first party is the insured individual. The second party is the insurance company. The third party is another individual. Therefore, a third-party insurance claim is made by someone who is not the policyholder or the insurance company.

Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault progressive? ›

Technically, you're required to report a claim even if it's not your fault. We're here to protect your interests and help when you're involved in an auto accident, no matter who was at fault. Reporting a claim is particularly important when people are injured or there's damage to another person's car or property.

Which is the best insurance for a car? ›

List of Best Car Insurance Companies
  • TATA AIG: Best Overall Car Insurance Rates.
  • SBI General: Best for Low Level of Complaints.
  • Digit Car: Best AI Enabled Process.
  • ICICI Lombard: Best Claim Settlement Process.
  • The New India Assurance: Best Renewal Discount.
  • ACKO: Best Premium Online Discount.

Why is third party more expensive? ›

Why is third-party insurance more expensive than comprehensive? Third-party car insurance is often more expensive because historically insurers have seen higher risk drivers taking out these policies who are more likely to make a claim.

What is the difference between first-party and third party? ›

"First-," "second-," and "third-" party data refers to how you ended up with the data. "First" means you collected it yourself; "third" means you received it or purchased it from an aggregator; and "second" means that a trusted partner provided you with their first-party data.

What is the basic difference between the first-party and third party liability insurance? ›

First-party insurance provides compensation directly to the insured individual or business, whereas third-party insurance provides compensation to another party when the insured person or business is liable for damages.

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