"Full casco" – as everyday speech calls it, and many assume it covers everything. The reality: casco pays out for precisely defined events, under defined conditions and exclusions. Anyone who knows the map won't be surprised at claim time – this article draws that map.
- The basics: collision, theft, natural perils, glass damage – the exact scope and definitions vary by insurer.
- Extras to match your situation: luggage, replacement car, assistance, GAP-style value protection – typically with limits.
- What you can't count on: wear and tear, lack of maintenance, drink-driving, racing – and anything else on the exclusions list.
The core cover: the four pillars
Collision damage cover pays for collision damage – even when you're at fault, which is one of casco's biggest strengths. Theft cover applies to the vehicle or its parts being stolen, typically subject to key and security conditions. Natural perils range from stormy weather to fire. And glass damage is the most common minor annoyance – often with its own, more favourable deductible rule.
The extras layer
The extras are about keeping LIFE moving after a claim: a replacement car during repairs, assistance for on-the-spot help, luggage cover for belongings carried in the car, and accident-cover elements for the occupants. For a new car, value protection is a separate question (the GAP idea). Each typically comes with limits – the map of extras article covers them in detail.
The exclusions: what's left out
Every set of policy terms contains exclusions, and they're surprisingly consistent: wear and tear (casco isn't a maintenance contract), intent and drink-driving or driving without a licence (legally, typically grounds for exemption), racing and timed track events, and a vehicle not properly locked. The details do vary, though – the exclusions map covers this honestly, and the crash course on reading policy terms teaches you where to find them in your own contract.
And what other tools protect
Beyond casco's boundaries, other tools do the work: damage caused to others is MTPL's job, injuries to occupants belong to accident cover, and the cost of a traffic-related legal dispute belongs to legal expenses insurance. Good car protection isn't a single contract but well-fitted layers – it's worth thinking that fit through before you take out any cover.
Would you like to see what your policy has – and what's missing? book a free 20-minute consultation →
