Photo: CNJerem, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0Third-party vs comprehensive in Botswana
Third-party vs comprehensive car insurance in Botswana
Short answerChecked 31 October 2026
In Botswana, injury and death caused to people on the road are covered by the MVA Fund, not by your policy. A private motor policy decides who pays for damage: a third-party policy covers the damage you cause to other people's vehicles and property, while comprehensive cover adds your own vehicle. What each one includes is set by its policy wording: ask for the summary and the full policy before you sign, as NBFIRA advises.
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Get the free PDFWhat to compare, point by point
| Question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does it pay for damage I cause to other people's cars and property? | The MVA Fund never does; without this you pay the other owner yourself. |
| Does it pay for my own car after a crash? | This is what separates comprehensive cover from third-party cover. |
| Theft, fire, hail, windscreen? | Check that each risk you need is named in the policy. |
| What is the excess on each claim? | It is the part of every claim you pay yourself. |
| What is the grace period if a premium is late? | After it, NBFIRA warns, "you are no longer covered". |
Rules quoted from NBFIRA consumer education. Injury cover: the MVA Fund (FAQ).
Which one suits you
- A car you could not afford to repair or replace (financed, new, used for work): comprehensive cover protects you against your own losses.
- An older car of low value: a third-party policy covers the costly part — other people's cars — while you carry the risk on your own.
- No policy at all: injuries are still covered by the MVA Fund, but every repair, yours or another driver's, is paid by you.
Already insured?
Next step
Frequently asked questions
Does third-party car insurance cover injuries in Botswana?
Injuries and deaths on the road are covered by the MVA Fund, financed by the fuel levy. A private third-party policy is about damage to other people's vehicles and property.
Can I cancel a new policy?
NBFIRA says some insurance policies may be cancelled within 30 days after you received the summary of the policy (the cooling-off period). Ask the insurer whether yours has one.
Sources
- NBFIRA — Consumer education: insurance (licensing, lapses, disclosure, 30-day cooling-off, grace period, complaints) (Web Archive copy of 5 March 2024)
- MVA Fund Botswana — Frequently asked questions (medical aid first, loss of income limit, property not covered)
- Motor Vehicle Accident Fund Act No. 15 of 2007 (Cap. 69:02), section 17: fuel levy — MVA Fund copy