Most Common Mistakes When Taking Out Comprehensive Car Insurance (Casco) in Bulgaria
Casco insurance is the best way to protect your investment in your vehicle. Unlike the mandatory Third Party Liability insurance, which covers damages caused to other road users, Casco protects your own car – against theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, and road traffic accidents.
In Bulgaria, interest in Casco car insurance has been growing every year. More and more people realize that purchasing such a policy provides peace of mind and financial security. Unfortunately, many drivers still make the same mistakes when choosing and taking out Casco insurance, which often lead to disappointment when an incident occurs.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the most common mistakes when purchasing Casco insurance, explain how to avoid them, and provide valuable tips on how to choose the best offer. We will also compare Third Party Liability insurance and Casco, so it becomes completely clear why both are important for your full protection on the road.
Our goal is to make choosing Casco insurance easy, well-informed, and stress-free. Trusti.bg offers a modern online process for comparing offers, calculating prices with a Casco calculator, and purchasing a policy entirely online.
With this article, you will get everything you need to make the best decision for your vehicle – with no hidden conditions and no unpleasant surprises when filing a claim.
What Does Casco Insurance Cover?
Casco insurance is voluntary but extremely important financial protection for your vehicle. It protects you from unexpected major expenses by providing compensation or covering repair costs when various risks occur.
In Bulgaria, Casco is especially recommended for new, expensive, or leased vehicles, as well as for all drivers who want peace of mind and predictable expenses.
Let’s take a closer look at what it covers, the types of policies available, and the risks included.
Full Casco vs. Partial Casco – What’s the Difference?
Full Casco (All Risk)
Full Casco is the most comprehensive type of car insurance and is suitable for people who want maximum security and peace of mind on the road. This policy provides full protection for the vehicle against almost all conceivable risks, regardless of who is at fault for the incident.
Key features include:
- Covers damages from traffic accidents, including when the driver is at fault. This is a key advantage, as such incidents are the most common cause of high repair costs.
- Provides protection against theft of the entire vehicle or parts of it.
- Includes natural disasters such as hail, floods, storms, or falling trees – particularly useful in Bulgaria, where such damages are common.
- Covers fire and explosion, regardless of the cause.
- Protects against vandalism and intentional damage by third parties.
- Usually includes additional services such as free roadside assistance, a replacement vehicle during repairs, and emergency assistance.
- In many cases, allows you to choose a preferred repair shop and use original parts.
- Offers higher compensation in cases of total loss or theft.
This type of policy is most recommended for new, expensive, leased, or financed vehicles, as well as for people who value maximum security and predictability.
Partial Casco
Partial Casco is a more affordable alternative to full insurance and is designed for drivers who want some level of protection but are willing to take on more risk.
Key features include:
- Covers only specific basic risks – most commonly theft and fire.
- Usually does not include coverage for accidents caused by the driver. If the accident is your fault, repair costs are your responsibility.
- May have limited or excluded coverage for natural disasters. Some policies allow adding these risks for an additional premium.
- Does not always include additional services such as roadside assistance or a replacement vehicle.
- Suitable for older vehicles with lower market value, where owners prefer a cheaper policy.
- Offered as an option for people with a limited budget who still want basic protection against serious incidents such as theft or fire.
How to Choose Between Them
- If you own a new or expensive vehicle, Full Casco is almost always the best choice. Even minor accident damage can be costly, while theft or natural disasters can lead to significant losses.
- If your vehicle is older and has a lower value, Partial Casco may be a sufficient solution. You receive basic protection against the biggest risks while saving on premiums.
- It is always important to carefully review the policy terms – covered risks, exclusions, deductibles, and additional services.
Examples of Covered Risks
Vehicle Theft
- Full protection against theft of the entire vehicle.
- Some policies also cover theft of expensive parts (tires, rims, headlights) after a break-in.
- Insurers may require additional anti-theft measures (alarm system, GPS tracking).
Fire and Explosion
- Compensation for damages caused by fire, regardless of the cause (electrical failure, fire after an accident).
- Coverage for explosions, including those occurring during refueling.
Road Traffic Accidents
- Covers damages from accidents, even when the driver is at fault.
- Extremely important for new and expensive vehicles to avoid massive repair costs.
- May include the option to choose a preferred repair shop or use original parts.
Natural Disasters
- Hail (a very common risk in Bulgaria).
- Floods and landslides.
- Hurricane-force winds and falling trees.
- Earthquakes (sometimes available for an additional premium).
Vandalism and Intentional Damage
- Damages such as scratches, broken windows, or broken mirrors.
- Repainting and restoration of the original appearance.
- Usually requires a police report.
Damage Caused by Animals
- Chewed cables caused by rodents.
- Damage from collisions with animals on the road.
- Damage to a parked vehicle caused by dogs or other animals.
Additional Options (Offered by Some Insurers)
- 24/7 assistance.
- Free roadside assistance.
- Replacement vehicle during repairs.
- Free inspection and damage assessment.
- Installment payments with no additional cost.
What Casco Insurance Does NOT Cover
Despite its broad coverage, every Casco policy has clearly defined exclusions. These usually include:
Wear and Lack of Maintenance
- Rust and paint aging.
- Mechanical failures due to lack of servicing.
- Worn tires or shock absorbers.
Participation in Competitions
- Damages occurring during races, rallies, or competitions.
- Including amateur participation without a license.
Intentional Damage
- Damages intentionally caused by the driver.
- Attempts to commit insurance fraud.
- Issues arising from false or concealed information when purchasing the policy.
Involvement in Criminal Activity
- Damages occurring during illegal activities.
- Theft, smuggling, or evading the police.
Driving Under the Influence or Without a License
- If the accident is caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Author: Vasilena Cholakova
Chief Executive Officer
Vasilena Cholakova is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trusti.bg, with extensive international experience in strategy and data analytics. She previously led the Uber Eats strategy across the EMEA region. Before joining Uber, she worked at Covestor (now Interactive Advisors) and at the European Commission. As an author on the Trusti.bg blog, she shares knowledge and practical advice on insurance and personal finance.
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