Photo: Azwi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Third party vs comprehensive car insurance in South Africa
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Side by side
The three forms of personal motor cover named in the national standard for motor insurance (SAQA unit standard 120005), in general terms — the policy wording always decides:
| Third party only | Third party, fire and theft | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage you cause to another person's car or property | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Your own car stolen | No | Yes | Yes |
| Your own car damaged by fire | No | Yes | Yes |
| Accident damage to your own car | No | No | Yes |
| Injury or death of other people | Claimed from the RAF | Claimed from the RAF | Claimed from the RAF |
| Excess payable on a claim | As stated in the policy | As stated in the policy | As stated in the policy |
Third party only: who it suits
Third party cover protects you against the most dangerous financial risk on the road that the RAF leaves open: being sued for someone else's car. The RAF Act shields drivers against most injury claims (section 21 of the RAF Act), but not against property damage.
It suits an older car you could afford to lose or replace yourself. It does nothing if your car is stolen, burns or is written off in a crash you caused.
Third party, fire and theft
This adds cover for your own car against theft and fire on top of third-party liability. It is a middle option when theft is your main worry but you are willing to pay for your own accident repairs.
Check how the policy treats hijacking, attempted theft and the security devices it requires: those conditions sit in the exclusions and limitations, which the insurer must show you prominently before you sign (rule 11.4.2(g) of the Policyholder Protection Rules).
Comprehensive
Comprehensive covers your own car as well as your liability to others, including accident damage. It is the only one of the three that pays to repair your car after a crash you caused.
Because it pays the most, it also has the most conditions. The National Financial Ombud sees comprehensive claims rejected for unroadworthy tyres or brakes, for driving under the influence and, under some policies, for exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 km/h.
Who pays what after a crash
Three situations show how the policy type and the RAF fit together:
- You cause a crash and damage another car. Any of the three policies pays the other owner, subject to your excess. Without insurance, the other owner or their insurer can claim from you personally — the RAF does not pay for vehicles (RAF).
- Someone is injured in the crash. The injured person claims from the Road Accident Fund, within 3 years of the accident (section 23(1) of the RAF Act). Section 21 of the Act bars most injury claims against you as driver or owner. See Road Accident Fund claims.
- Your own car is damaged in a crash you caused. Only comprehensive pays. With third party only or third party, fire and theft, the repair is yours.
Whatever the cover, if the insurer rejects your claim it must give you written reasons within 10 days and at least 90 days to make representations (rule 17.6 of the Policyholder Protection Rules). After that you can complain free of charge to the National Financial Ombud (NFO); see how to complain.
How to choose
- Check your finance agreement if the car is not paid off: it may require a specific level of cover.
- Ask what you could pay yourself: could you replace the car tomorrow if it were stolen or written off? If not, look at third party, fire and theft or comprehensive.
- Compare excesses, not only premiums. The insurer must disclose every excess before you sign (PPR rule 11.4.2(d)(iii)).
- Read the exclusions — speed, alcohol, roadworthiness, unlicensed drivers, security devices.
- Check whether the premium is guaranteed and how increases work (PPR rule 11.4.2(e)).
More on the basics: car insurance in South Africa. Registered insurers: insurance companies.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between third party and comprehensive insurance?
Third party pays for damage you cause to other people's vehicles and property. Comprehensive also covers your own car, including accident damage, theft and fire.
Does third party insurance cover my car if it is stolen?
Not third party only. Third party, fire and theft adds theft and fire cover for your own car; comprehensive covers theft, fire and accident damage.
Is third party insurance compulsory in South Africa?
No. Compulsory third-party insurance was raised as "one option" in the 2020 Budget Speech but it is not law. The compulsory scheme is the Road Accident Fund, which covers only injury and death.
Does comprehensive insurance cover injuries?
Claims for injury or death caused by a vehicle are made to the Road Accident Fund under the RAF Act. Your car policy is mainly about damage to vehicles and property; check the wording for any personal accident benefits.
Sources
- SAQA — Unit standard 120005, Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of personal motor insurance
- Road Accident Fund — Products and services: Cover (archived copy of 11 March 2026)
- Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996, consolidated text (LawLibrary / Laws.Africa, as amended to 2010; ss 17, 19, 21, 23 and 24 as substituted by Act 19 of 2005)
- National Treasury — Budget Speech 2020 (compulsory third-party insurance raised as an option)
- Policyholder Protection Rules (Short-term Insurance), 2017 — GN 1433, Government Gazette 41329, 15 December 2017 (rules 11.4 and 17.6)
- National Financial Ombud (NFO) — Fast cars, denied claims: South Africa's insurance penalty for speed (4 May 2026)
- National Financial Ombud (NFO) — From party to penalty: don't risk your car insurance cover (24 November 2025)
- National Financial Ombud (NFO) — Why your vehicle's unroadworthiness could cost you your insurance cover (1 October 2025)
- National Financial Ombud (NFO) — How to complain