Whenever you see someone discussing car insurance, you may often hear the term ‘third party’ or even ‘first party’. If you are not well-versed with these motor insurance terms, you may not know what they mean in your four-wheeler insurance policy. Read on to learn more about first-party and third-party insurance and their differences.
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Car insurance is a contract between two parties – the car owner and the insurance provider. However, every car insurance policy talks about third parties as well. Thus, a car insurance policy involves three types of parties. Take a look at them below:
For example, it could be a pedestrian walking on the street or the owner of a car moving in front of you. Under a motor insurance policy, the second party is liable to pay for any injuries, loss or damages caused to the third party on behalf of the first party.
Remember that it is the first party who initiates a contract with the second party in a bid to buy the right car insurance policy for his/her vehicle.
You may be aware of the compulsory third-party insurance cover that every car needs to legally have. To understand third-party cover, you must know about the various types of car policies. Broadly, a vehicle owner can purchase two types of four-wheeler insurance plans. They are - First Party and Third Party car insurance. Take a look at what is 1st party and 3rd party insurance:
First-party insurance refers to the type of car insurance that aims to benefit the first party. Also known as comprehensive insurance, it provides own damage cover that makes the second party, i.e. the insurer, liable for covering any loss or damages caused to the first party’s car due to unfortunate events. These events include natural disasters (earthquakes, storms, etc.), man-made disasters (strikes, vandalism, etc.), accidents, fire or theft.
A first party insurance policy also covers any third-party liabilities for causing property damages, bodily injuries or death of third parties in an accident. Besides, comprehensive car insurance also provides personal accident cover to the first party in case he/ she suffers from a disability or dies in an accident caused while driving the car.
Apart from the basic coverage, 1st party insurance can also be enhanced with a host of add-on covers for car owners. Add-ons are the additional benefits that the first party can add to his/her comprehensive car policy by paying a higher premium amount to the second party/insurer. Zero Depreciation, Engine Protection, NCB Protect, Roadside Assistance, Return to Invoice, etc., are some add-on covers commonly available under motor insurance.
You May Also Read: List of Top Car Insurance Add-On Covers
Third party insurance refers to the type of motor insurance where the policy benefit is provided to a third party. It enables the second party i.e. the insurance company, to compensate for any third-party legal liabilities of the first party to the third person. The legal liabilities of the first party include bodily injuries, death or property damages to the third party with the insured car.>
In India, it is mandatory for every car to have at least a 3rd party cover to legally ply on public roads as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. If you don’t want to purchase first-party or comprehensive insurance, you can buy third-party liability-only insurance.
To give you a better understanding, the following table represents the difference between 1st party vs 3rd party insurance. Take a look:
Categories | First Party Car Insurance | Third Party Car Insurance |
Meaning | Compensates for the damages to first party car and third-party liabilities arising out of the insured car. | Compensates for the third-party damage caused due to the first party’s vehicle. |
Who Can It Be? | Anyone who owns a four-wheeler and buys the best car policy to protect the vehicle. | Anyone apart from the first and second parties. For example, a person whose property has been damaged by the first party’s car. |
Legal Mandate | Not mandatory to cover the first party’s interest under four-wheeler insurance as per the motor laws. | Mandatory to cover third parties’ interests under car insurance as per the motor laws. |
Coverage | Covers own damage sustained by the insured car due to accidents, theft, fire, etc. Also covers third-party damages caused by the insured vehicle. | Covers third party death, disability and property damage only. |
Personal Accident Cover | The first party will get a personal accident cover of up to Rs. 15 lakh from the second party (insurer) | The third party will get compensation from the second party up to an amount decided by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal based on the extent of the damage caused. |
Property Damage Cover | Property damage of the first party is not covered. Only damages to the insured car will be covered under comprehensive insurance. Property damage of 3rd party is covered. | In case of third-party property damages, the second party will cover the damages up to Rs 7.5 lakh on behalf of the first party. |
A car insurance policy is signed between the first party (i.e. the car owner) and the second party (i.e. the insurance company). The best four-wheeler insurance for your vehicle depends on what kind of coverage you are looking for in your car policy. Now that you know the difference between first party and third party insurance, you can easily decide whether you want coverage for only third parties or even for yourself and your car.
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*Savings are based on the comparison between the highest and the lowest premium for own damage cover (excluding add-on covers) provided by different insurance companies for the same vehicle with the same IDV and same NCB. Actual time for transaction may vary subject to additional data requirements and operational processes.
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*Savings are based on the comparison between the highest and the lowest premium for own damage cover (excluding add-on covers) provided by different insurance companies for the same vehicle with the same IDV and same NCB. Actual time for transaction may vary subject to additional data requirements and operational processes.
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