Everything To Know About Third Party Van Insurance Cover

It is a legal requirement in Ireland to have at least a third-party (only) van insurance to drive a van. It is the most basic type of van insurance policy and only covers damage and loss that occurred to the third party due to the policyholder's fault.

There are three levels of van insurance covers:

• Third-party only
• Third-party fire and theft
• Comprehensive

What is third party van insurance?

Third-party van insurance, also known as third-party only (TPO) van insurance, covers damages and injuries caused by you to other people and their property in case of an accident. It does not provide coverage for any damage to your van.

In simple terms, it insures you against potential claims from others, but not your van. Many people choose third-party insurance as it is more affordable, and meets legal requirements while offering limited coverage.

What is covered by third party van insurance?

Third party van insurance typically covers the following:

1. Damage to a third party's vehicle: In an accident, if you cause damage to a third party's vehicle, the cost of repairs will be covered by this policy.
2. Damage to a third party's property: If you accidentally cause damage to a third party's property (such as a garden fence), your policy will cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
3. Personal injury claims: In an accident, if the third party driver or their passengers bear injuries, TPO will cover their medical expenses.
4. Legal liabilities: TPO insurance will handle any legal costs if a third party makes a claim against you for the accident.

What does third party van insurance not cover?

Essentially, this type of insurance policy is designed to safeguard others rather than yourself. Consider these factors carefully while making your insurance decision. Following are the cases it won't cover:

• Your own van's damages. Which can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses.
• It also won't protect your vehicle against fire or theft, leaving you without compensation in such unfortunate cases.
• If an uninsured driver causes an accident, third party insurance won't typically provide coverage for you or your van.
• You won't be able to drive other people's vans under this policy.

Why get third-party van insurance?

There are a few reasons to buy third party van insurance, including:

• Third party insurance is a legal requirement to drive a van on public roads in Ireland.
• TPO insurance is a preferred choice for older or less valuable vans as the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle might not be worth the premium for comprehensive coverage.
• TPO insurance is typically a more cost-effective option than Comprehensive insurance. (However, consider comparing with other alternatives. Even comprehensive van insurance can sometimes be cheaper than TPO van insurance!)

Alternatives to third-party van insurance

There are two alternatives to third party van insurance:

1. Third party, fire and theft This covers third party damages along with any damage or loss to your van due to fire or theft. It may have additional cover for goods in your van too.
2. Comprehensive It is generally designed to protect the third party, your van, and you. So, it covers third party damages, fire and theft, goods' damage and your medical expenses if any.

What is the difference between third-party and comprehensive van insurance?

Third party and comprehensive van insurance are two distinct types of van insurance. Some of the key differences are listed below.

What is the cost of third party van insurance?

Third party van insurance is usually more expensive than other types of policies.

People often choose third-party coverage to try and lower their premiums. But, keep in mind that this type of insurance is more costly because it's preferred by drivers who are considered high-risk on the road.

Also, fewer insurers are offering TPO insurance, making it less widely available and more expensive. In December 2021, it cost an average of £920 per year.

What do you need to get a quote?

To obtain a TPO car insurance quote from Paddy Compare, you'll require:

1. Your personal information, including name, address, and date of birth.
2. Specifics about your van, such as registration plate and vehicle age.
3. Details of any past driving convictions.
4. Your driving licence information.

By comparing with Paddy, you can quickly get quotes from multiple insurance providers in just five minutes!

Looking for third party van insurance?

Finding suitable van insurance can be confusing and overwhelming. Even with basic coverage like third party, additional covers and terms might vary from plan to plan. You must explore all available options so that you can make an informed and confident choice.

Get a quote now for third party van insurance with Paddy Compare. Browse through different plans to find the cheapest coverage that suits your needs. Simply follow these steps: