Car insurance aims at safeguarding vehicle owners against their legal liability in respect of third party’s death, bodily injury and/or property damage, and also cover the damage of the insured vehicle from car accidents. It provides financial protection to you and anyone involved in an incident, and is a statutory requirement for driving.
“Third-party legal liability insurance” refers to the coverage of the legal liability of the insured driver in respect of third party’s death, bodily injury and/or property damage from car accidents, which is the mandatory insurance under the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Ordinance, Chapter 272 of the Laws of Hong Kong.
“Comprehensive insurance” provides broader protection, including third-party legal liability cover plus the coverage for your own vehicle against accidental loss or damage. Legally, third-party insurance is mandatory, but for better protection, especially for brand new or high-value cars, comprehensive insurance can be considered.
Car insurance premiums vary significantly in Hong Kong based on different factors such as the type of vehicle, the driver’s age, driving experience, claim history, and No Claims Discount (NCD). Generally, premium for third-party legal liability insurance costs less, while comprehensive insurance is more expensive for better protection. To avoid paying excessive premiums, comparing car insurance premium is essential. Many drivers now use online platforms to compare premiums from different insurers to find the option that best suits their needs and offers the highest value for money.
Most online quotes from insurers and reputable comparison platforms are generally reliable. However, please note that these quotes are preliminary, the final premium will depend on the insurer’s underwriting result.
Beyond the premium, you should also pay attention to coverage limits, excess, NCD (No Claims Discount), optional benefits, and the quality of claims service etc.
NCD (No Claims Discount) is a discount offered by insurers to policyholders who do not make any claims during the previous policy period. When you renew your car insurance without claims in the previous policy year, you can entitle a discount on your renew premium. Typically, the discount starts at around 20% after the first claim-free year and increases annually, up to about 60%. If you make a claim, the discount may be reduced or reset to zero, depending on the number of claims and the insurer’s policies.
Excess is the amount you must bear the loss before the insurance company covers the remaining balance of loss. For example, if the repair cost is HK$10,000 and excess is HK$3,000, the insurer will only compensate HK$7,000.
In Hong Kong, P-plate drivers (those holding a probationary driving license) often face certain challenges when purchasing car insurance. The main reason is that insurance companies consider new drivers to be higher risk due to lack of driving experience, so premiums are usually higher compared to experienced drivers. In addition, some insurers may restrict the coverage options available or impose higher excess.
Car insurance policies generally cannot be transferred to a new owner; the new owner must purchase their own policy. However, if you buy a new car, you can usually transfer your existing policy (and your NCD) to the new vehicle. You will need to contact your insurer to update the vehicle details, but note that this may result in an adjustment to your premium.
In Hong Kong, insurance premium for electric vehicle (EV) is usually more expensive than conventional petrol cars, mainly because more costly repairs and parts, and require specialised maintenance. Insurers set premiums based on factors such as the car model, driver’s age, driving record, and coverage options. Generally, EVs are still covered under standard car insurance, but it is recommended that owners compare different plans to choose the suitable coverage.