Casco vs Civil Liability Insurance: What’s the Difference?
A simple breakdown of what each cover includes, which one is mandatory, and how to choose the right combination for your car.
If you own a car in Bulgaria, you have probably heard both terms — civil liability and casco — but it is not always clear what exactly the difference between them is and which cover you actually need. In this article we explain in simple terms what each one covers, when it is mandatory, and how to choose the right combination for your car.
What is civil liability insurance?
Civil liability (known as “Grazhdanska otgovornost”) is a mandatory insurance for every registered car in Bulgaria. It does not protect your own car — it protects third parties.
If you cause a road accident, civil liability covers the damage you inflict on:
- Another vehicle or property
- The health or life of other road users
Without valid civil liability cover you cannot legally drive a car in Bulgaria — the fines and consequences for being uninsured are serious.
Important: civil liability does not cover damage to your own car, even when the fault is yours.
What is Casco?
Casco is a voluntary insurance that covers damage to your own car, regardless of who is at fault for the incident. Depending on the package you choose, casco can cover:
- A road accident, regardless of fault
- Theft of the vehicle
- Fire
- Natural disasters (hail, flooding, storms)
- Vandalism
- Damage while parked
Casco is especially recommended for newer or more expensive cars, as well as for cars bought on leasing or credit — many banks and leasing companies require casco as a condition of financing.
Key differences at a glance
| Civil Liability | Casco | |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | Yes | No |
| What it covers | Damage to third parties | Damage to your own car |
| Covers theft | No | Yes (in most packages) |
| Covers damage without an accident | No | Yes (fire, hail, etc.) |
| Price | Lower, fixed by law | Varies by car and package |
Do I need both?
In most cases — yes, if you want full protection. Civil liability is required by law and is not optional. Casco is a choice, but one that depends on:
- The value of the car — a newer or more expensive car means a greater financial risk in the event of damage or theft
- How you use it — if you drive often, in city traffic or over long distances, the risk of an incident rises
- Your financial situation — casco can save you significant costs in the event of serious damage, theft or a total loss
Why choose an insurance broker instead of buying directly?
The difference between individual insurers — in price, coverage and claims-payment terms — can be significant. As an independent broker working with all the leading insurers in Bulgaria, we compare the offers for you and recommend the option that genuinely fits your needs — at no extra charge to you, since the broker’s commission is covered by the insurer.
Read also: How to choose an insurance broker — 5 things to check
Conclusion
Civil liability is mandatory and protects third parties. Casco is a choice, but often a sensible investment if you want your own car protected in the event of an accident, theft or natural disaster. The right combination depends on your car, how you drive and your budget.
Have questions about which cover is right for you? Get in touch with the Soners team — we’ll compare offers from Bulgaria’s leading insurers and help you choose the best solution for your car.
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