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Third party, fire and theft car insurance
Third party, fire and theft insurance covers you if your vehicle's stolen or damaged by fire. Or, if you're at fault for an accident that damages a person's vehicle or property.
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What is third party, fire and theft car insurance?
Third party, fire and theft car insurance covers you for damage to another person's vehicle or property as well as damage to your car by fire or theft. It does not cover damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident; for that, you'll need comprehensive car insurance.
Compare third party, fire and theft car insurance policies
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
How does this type of car insurance compare to others?
There are 4 main types of car insurance available. Here's a summary of what they cover:
Cover
CTP insurance
Third party property damage insurance
Third party, fire and theft insurance
Comprehensive car insurance
Damage to my vehicle in an accident
No
No
No
Yes
Damage to another person's vehicle or property
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Loss or damage to my car due to fire
No
No
Yes
Yes
Loss or damage to my car due to theft
No
No
Yes
Yes
Loss or damage to my car due to storm, hail and flood
No
No
No
Yes
How does pricing for other insurance compare?
Provider
Third party, fire & theft cost
Comprehensive insurance cost
N/A
$1,137.71
$358.75
$1,219.06
$1,187.95
$2,373.60
$950.85
$1,408.54
*To determine this estimated cost, we sourced quotes using this profile:
Male driver born 01/01/1988
Silver 2019 Toyota Corolla Ascent Automatic Ascent 4dr Sedan 1.8mpi
Safe driver with no claims made in the past 3 years
Drives 10,000-15,000 km per year
Adjusted excess to $800 where possible
Driver located in Sydney
Policy starting 31/05/2023
Your cost will differ depending on your circumstances. Some things that can affect the cost of your quote include your gender, the type of car you drive, the colour of the car, how long you have been driving, the amount of cover you need, plus more. Be sure to read the PDS to find cover that suits you.
What are the benefits of third party, fire and theft car insurance?
It covers some common risks. Get protection for car accidents, theft and fire damage – among the biggest risks all drivers face.
It can be cheaper than comprehensive car insurance. This mid-level policy option combines a decent range of cover with competitive premiums. But, it doesn't offer the same level of insurance as comprehensive cover. For example, it won't cover the contents in your car or replacement keys.
It offers additional benefits. Most third party, fire and theft policies also include a range of additional benefits, such as towing and storage costs, a hire car after theft, and cover for damage caused by uninsured motorists.
It provides peace of mind. Like any form of car insurance, third party, fire and theft insurance is all about peace of mind. It gives you the confidence and reassurance you need before getting behind the wheel.
What isn't covered by third party, fire and theft insurance?
There are a few situations where third party, fire and theft insurance won't cover you. The main ones relate to damages to your car.
Natural disasters. You won't be covered for natural disasters including storms, floods, hailstorms, earthquakes or landslides. The one exception is bushfire since it does cover fire of all types.
Accidents you cause. You won't be covered for any damage to your own car if you cause the crash.
Vandalism. You won't be covered for vandalism. However, you will be covered if someone damages your car while attempting to steal it.
Hitting an animal. You won't be covered for hitting an animal, even if there was nothing you could do to avoid it.
How can I find the cheapest third party, fire and theft policy?
Compare policies. It's quick and easy to compare car insurance quotes online, so get quotes from multiple insurers and see which policy comes out on top.
Choose a higher excess. The higher your excess, the cheaper your premium will be.
Take advantage of discounts. Many insurers offer discounts to new customers. Some sign up discounts are as generous as 15% off.
Restrict cover. Restricting younger drivers can help you reduce your premiums as you're seen as less risky. Remember, this is only a good option if you're certain no younger drivers will drive your car.
Secure your vehicle. Vehicles that are kept in a locked garage are often cheaper to insure as they're seen as less risky.
Who is third party, fire and theft car insurance good for?
A third party, fire and theft policy is good if:
You want protection against damage you cause to other people's cars or property; theft or fire damage to your own vehicle; and cover for legal expenses after an accident.
You're keeping a close eye on your budget. Put simply, it's usually cheaper than comprehensive insurance.
Theft is a worry where you live or work. It's worth considering if you're based in an area that carries a high risk of vehicle thefts.
You drive an inexpensive car. If your vehicle has a low market value, you may decide that mid-range coverage is enough for you.
Third party fire and theft covers a number of road-related risks – and goes quite a bit further than an entry-level policy. It's particularly good if you rely on having a vehicle and you'd otherwise be stuck, say, if your car were stolen. But, keep in mind your cover won't extend to damages to your own car after an at-fault incident. For that, you'll need to upgrade to comprehensive insurance.
You pay the same as buying directly from the car insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
We're experts
Our team of car insurance experts have researched and rated dozens of policies as part of our Finder Awards and published 330+ guides to make it easier for you to compare.
We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of car insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
We're here to help
Since 2014, we've helped 300,000+ people find car insurance by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.
FAQs
Third party, fire and theft is worth it if you don't need the full cover for your own car, but have a higher risk of experiencing fire damage or theft.
Also, you'll find it more useful than the more basic third party property cover, especially if you:
Don't have secure parking
Commonly travel with your car
Live in a bushfire-prone area
Live or work in a high-crime area
Many policies also cover you for a hire car if your car is stolen, and may even offer emergency transportation and accommodation if it's stolen while you're far from home.
CTP only pays for injuries that you cause to others with your car. It's also called your green slip. Whereas third party, fire and theft also protects you if you damage someone's property like their car, bicycle or fence. It can also provide some limited protection for your own car.
Both policies provide cover for your legal liability when you're responsible for a car accident that causes damage to someone else's car or property. But third party, fire and theft insurance provides cover for loss or damage to your vehicle caused by fire or theft; third party property insurance doesn't.
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your own vehicle if you're involved in an accident, third party car insurance does not.
No. The insurance is for your vehicle only and will not cover you when you drive other cars.
No. This type of cover only covers damage to someone else's vehicle or property in an accident for which you're responsible. However, many policies will include a limited level of cover when your vehicle is damaged in a no-fault accident with an uninsured motorist.
Yes. Most policies let you accrue a no-claims bonus. But read the policy wording or give an insurer a call if you're in any doubt about what you're covered for.
James Martin is the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
finder.com.au is a comparison and information service and not an insurer. Most insurers in Australia will ensure you with a drug conviction but depending on the offense, you may pay a little more for cover.
Please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement PDS/T&C’s of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
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need cover have driver (L)with drug conviction less than 3yrs
Hi Ross,
Thank you for your question.
finder.com.au is a comparison and information service and not an insurer. Most insurers in Australia will ensure you with a drug conviction but depending on the offense, you may pay a little more for cover.
You may find our car insurance for learner drivers and car insurance for drivers convicted of drunk driving guides helpful.
Please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features, and details of the policy, as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statement PDS/T&C’s of the policy before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you. If necessary, speak to the insurance brand to verify any details.
Cheers,
Zubair