Every vehicle on a Nigerian road is required by law to carry at least third-party motor insurance. It is the cheapest cover available and, for many drivers, the only one they have ever bought. It is also the most misunderstood.
The name is the clue. Third-party insurance protects the other party — not you, and not your vehicle.
What it covers
If you cause an accident, third-party cover pays for:
- Damage to the other person's vehicle or property
- Injury or death caused to other people
- Legal costs arising from a claim against you
What it does not cover
This is where most drivers are caught out. Third-party cover pays nothing towards:
- Repairs to your own vehicle, even when the accident was not your fault
- Theft of your vehicle
- Fire damage
- Injury to yourself
If your car is written off in an accident you caused, third-party cover leaves you to replace it out of pocket.
Third-party against comprehensive
Third-party | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|
Other person's vehicle | Covered | Covered |
Your own vehicle | Not covered | Covered |
Theft | Not covered | Covered |
Fire | Not covered | Covered |
Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
When it is enough — and when it is not
Third-party cover is a reasonable choice for an older vehicle whose replacement cost you could absorb. If losing your car would genuinely disrupt your household or your work, the gap between the two products is worth pricing properly.
One thing worth checking
A certificate is only valid if the insurer actually issued it. Fake motor papers are common, and they fail at exactly the moment you need them. You can verify any Nigerian motor insurance certificate through the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database before you rely on it.
If you are unsure which cover fits your situation, see our motor products or speak to us directly.