Is comprehensive car insurance always more expensive than third-party cover?

No. Premiums are risk-priced, so comprehensive cover can sometimes cost the same as or less than more limited cover. Compare like-for-like quotes rather than assuming.

In relation to “Is comprehensive car insurance always more expensive than third-party cover?”, motor-insurance questions often turn on the exact policy wording, not on assumptions about what a “normal” policy should cover.

For “Is comprehensive car insurance always more expensive than third-party cover?”, compare cover by reading the actual benefits and exclusions, not by assuming a higher-sounding cover level is always cheaper or broader in every respect.

For “Is comprehensive car insurance always more expensive than third-party cover?”, for Northern Ireland, the key is to use the authority or contract that actually controls this issue. The sources attached to this answer include nidirect - Motor insurance explained, GOV.UK - Vehicle insurance, and GOV.UK - Uninsured vehicles. Those sources should take priority over forum posts or guidance written for a different jurisdiction, particularly where a deadline, offence, fee, finance right or policy condition is involved.

Practical next step: read the relevant line of your policy schedule and certificate, then ask the insurer a specific written question about the situation in “Is comprehensive car insurance always more expensive than third-party cover?”. Keep the reply with the policy documents so there is a record of what was disclosed.