Cover type

Third Party, Fire and Theft Car Insurance

Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) sits between the cheapest cover and full comprehensive. It protects you if you damage someone else's car, and it protects your own car against theft, hijacking and fire, but not against accident damage. For an older car you own outright, that's often the right balance.

The three main cover levels compared

EventThird party onlyThird party, fire & theftComprehensive
You damage someone else's car or property✓✓✓
Your car is stolen or hijacked–✓✓
Your car is damaged by fire–✓✓
Your car is damaged in an accident––✓
Hail, storm or vandalism damage to your car–Usually not✓

Exact cover varies by insurer. Check the policy wording, especially for weather and malicious damage.

Who third party, fire and theft suits

A good fit if…

Your car is older and paid off, you could afford to repair accident damage yourself, but losing the car to theft or hijacking would hurt.

Not a good fit if…

Your car is financed (the bank will want comprehensive), it's newer or valuable, or you couldn't cover an accident repair from savings.

Why third party cover matters in South Africa

Car insurance isn't compulsory in South Africa, and the Road Accident Fund only covers injuries, not vehicle damage. If you cause an accident with no insurance, the other driver can claim their repair costs from you personally, and with newer cars that can run to hundreds of thousands of rand. Third party cover is the minimum that protects you from that. Do you need car insurance? →

Check the theft conditions

  • Whether your insurer requires an approved tracker for theft and hijack cover on your model.
  • What value the insurer pays if the car isn't recovered: retail, market or trade.
  • Any extra excess for theft or hijacking claims.

A tracker makes particular sense on TPFT cover, because theft and hijacking are exactly the risks you're insuring. Compare tracker packages.

Insurers offering cheaper cover levels

Bank insurer

FNB Car Insurance

eBucks rewards on your premium.

How you buy: Direct: FNB app, phone or email

Read the guide →
Direct insurer

Discovery Car Insurance

Vitality Drive rewards for good driving, including fuel cash back.

How you buy: Direct: online or in the Discovery Insure app

Read the guide →
Direct insurer (Santam group)

MiWay Car Insurance

Three cover levels and an excess you can adjust.

How you buy: Direct: online, app or phone

Read the guide →
Direct insurer

OUTsurance Car Insurance

OUTbonus: cash back after three claim-free years.

How you buy: Direct: online or by phone

Read the guide →
Adviser / broker

PSG Car Insurance

A personal adviser for cover and claims.

How you buy: Through a PSG Insure adviser

Read the guide →
Bank insurer

Nedbank Car Insurance

Cashback for claim-free years, plus MyCover add-ons.

How you buy: Direct: online application or sales call-back

Read the guide →
Want a quote?

Request a Third Party, Fire & Theft cover quote online in 30 seconds. Free, no obligation, no card details.

Get a quote

Third party, fire and theft questions

What does third party fire and theft car insurance cover?+

It covers damage you cause to other people's cars and property, plus your own car if it's stolen, hijacked or damaged by fire. It doesn't pay for damage to your car in an accident.

Is third party fire and theft cheaper than comprehensive?+

Usually, yes, because it covers fewer events. How much you save depends on your car and driver profile, so compare both on the same quote.

Can I get third party fire and theft on a financed car?+

Normally not. Finance houses require comprehensive cover while the car is being paid off, because accident damage to the car is their risk too.

What is the difference between third party only and third party fire and theft?+

Third party only covers damage you cause to others, and nothing for your own car. Third party, fire and theft adds cover for your car if it's stolen, hijacked or burnt.

Tracker Prices SA is an independent information site. We are not an insurer or a licensed financial services provider, and nothing here is financial advice. Insurer details are summarised from each insurer's own published information, last checked September 2026. Cover, benefits and prices change, so always confirm them in your quote and policy wording. For a complaint about an insurer you can contact the free National Financial Ombud Scheme.

Want quotes to compare?

Tell us about your car once and we'll arrange for quotes to be sent to you, so you can compare premiums and excesses side by side.