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Third Party Fire and Theft Car Insurance
Not sure if Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance is for you? Read information about this cover to see if it’s right for you
What is Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance?
Third Party, Fire and Theft covers you if you’re involved in an accident or incident where someone else’s car or property is damaged. In addition this cover protects the car in the event of fire damage. This includes accidental and criminal fire damage.
It also covers you if your car is stolen or damaged if theft or attempted theft occurs.
Important information: This type of cover doesn’t protect your car if it’s damaged in an accident.
Halifax Car Insurance is underwritten by a panel of insurers and is arranged and administered by BISL Limited. When getting a quote online you’ll be taken to BISL Limited’s online site with a new privacy and cookie policy.
What are the benefits of Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance?
Not sure if Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance is right for you? Here are the features and benefits that you can expect.
What’s covered with Third Party, Fire and Theft?
Third Party, Fire and Theft doesn’t cover damage to your car if you’re in an accident or incident. However, it does cover the cost of damage to a third party. This would include their car, property or any medical injuries to the third party as a result of the accident or incident. Your car will be insured in the event that it is stolen or damaged due to theft or attempted theft. The car will also be covered if it is damaged due to a fire.
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Terms, conditions and exclusions apply to all benefits. In the event of a claim normal Excess applies and No Claims Discount may be affected. For more information please refer to the Insurance Product Information Document: Third Party, Fire and Theft (PDF, 113KB).
Optional extras
Want extra peace of mind? You can upgrade your car insurance policy from our range of additional cover options. Here are the optional upgrades you can choose from:
- Guaranteed Replacement Car
- RAC Breakdown Cover
- Motor Legal Protection
- Keycare Cover
- No Claims Discount Protection (NCD)
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply to all benefits. In the event of a claim normal Excess applies and No Claims Discount may be affected.
Frequently asked questions
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The annual cost of car insurance is largely based on risk, and how likely you are to make a claim. For example, if you’ve recently passed your driving test and have limited experience on the road, your insurance premium will be higher than that of someone who has a long and claim-free driving record.
Factors which can affect the cost of car insurance include:
- Your age and occupation
- Your estimated annual mileage
- Any existing no claims discount
- Security features or vehicle modifications
- Any amount of voluntary excess you choose
- Whether you live near a crime or accident hot spot
- The insurance group, age and value of your vehicle
- Any named drivers who will also be using your vehicle
- What you generally use your car for. For example, travelling for work
- Where you usually park overnight. For example, off-road or in a garage
- Optional extras, such as enhanced legal assistance, guaranteed replacement car cover, breakdown cover etc
The level of cover you choose will also make a difference to the cost, whether you opt for third party cover, third party, fire and theft or comprehensive cover.
To find out how much car insurance could cost with Halifax, get a quote online.
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In really simple terms, the money paid by motorists for car insurance contributes to a collective fund. If an insured driver has an accident and makes a valid claim, the money needed to complete any repairs, or cover any other damage, is paid out of the fund.
The cost of car insurance, also known as a premium, can go up and down over time. The main thing which contributes to that, is the annual number of claims impacting the value of the insurance fund.
Most insurers offer three types of cover:
- Third party – this is the most basic level of car insurance, only covering damage to someone else’s vehicle or property if you cause an accident. It doesn’t cover your own car or property
- Third party, fire and theft – the next level of insurance also covers your car for accidental or criminal fire damage, damage resulting from theft or attempted theft, and if your car is stolen
- Comprehensive – this is the highest level of car insurance, also covering any damage to your car and property if you’re involved in an accident
The cost of your individual insurance premium can vary, depending on a range of factors, including your age, location, driving experience and the car you’re looking to insure.
You might be able to reduce the annual cost by adjusting the amount you’ll contribute out of your own pocket if you have an accident. This is commonly referred to as car insurance excess.
- Increasing your excess amount could reduce your annual premium
- Reducing your excess might increase your car insurance premium
Optional extras might also be available, such as breakdown cover or legal protection, which you can add to your policy for an additional cost to your annual premium.
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Each insurer sets their own expiry period, but with Halifax your quote is valid for 30 days, giving you time to consider your options.
Of course, if you’re happy with the quote you’ve received, you might like to go ahead and purchase cover. The choice is yours.
Just be aware, if any of your details change between getting a quote and buying cover, your premium costs could go up or down. But it’s important to give accurate information at all times, ensuring you’ve got the level of cover you need.
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When you get a car insurance quote, the insurer will complete a ‘soft’ credit check, confirming that the information you’ve given is accurate.
The credit reference agencies Halifax use include TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.
Although they might be visible on your credit report, soft credit searches won’t affect your credit score, or your ability to get credit in future.
When you go on to buy cover though, depending on how you choose to pay, there is potential for impact to your credit score.
If you pay monthly, it’s like taking a 12-month loan with your insurer:
- You’ll pay a bit more to cover any interest
- A ‘hard’ credit check will be completed, which could affect your credit record
- If you don’t keep up with your payments your policy could be cancelled, and your credit score could be affected. If you’re experiencing financial difficult at any time, please get in touch so we can find a way to help
However, this is a flexible option. By sticking to your monthly payments, it could eventually help to improve your credit score.
If you pay annually, there’s no aspect of credit, so you could benefit from:
- a cheaper premium, with no interest to pay
- the option to pay with a credit or debit card
However, if you fall behind with your credit card or other bills as a result of paying your car insurance premium in one go, you could cause damage to your credit score.
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Most insurers offer the option to pay your annual car insurance premium in monthly instalments, subject to status, or as a single payment covering you for the year ahead.
Paying monthly
In essence, this involves taking a 12-month loan with your insurer. That means:
- you’ll pay a bit more to cover any interest
- your application will show on your credit record
- If you don’t keep up with your payments your policy could be cancelled, and your credit score could be affected. If you’re experiencing financial difficult at any time, please get in touch so we can find a way to help
However, spreading the cost of your car insurance could help you to:
- avoid a single hit to your monthly budget
- automate your payments with a simple Direct Debit
- improve your credit score over time by sticking to your payment plan
Paying annually
By paying for your car insurance in one go, you could benefit from:
- a cheaper premium, with no interest to pay
- the option to pay with a credit or debit card
Obviously, the main disadvantage is having to pay out a lump sum, all at once.
You should also be aware that, if you don’t keep up with your credit card and other payments, your credit score could be affected, and your accounts or policies could be restricted or cancelled.
Halifax is a division of Bank of Scotland plc. Registered in Scotland No. SC327000. Registered Office: The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ. Bank of Scotland plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 169628.