RCA vs CASCO — which to choose and what you pay

RCA and CASCO sound similar but do completely different things. One is mandatory and protects you against the damage you cause to others. The other is optional and protects your own car. Here is the difference, in short, and when it is worth paying extra.

RCA — mandatory, covers the damage you cause to OTHERS

RCA (motor third-party liability) is required by law for every registered car in Romania. If you cause an accident, RCA pays for the other party’s damage — their car, any injuries. It does not cover your own car.

• —Mandatory — without it you cannot drive and you risk a fine plus losing your plates.
• —Covers only the damage caused to third parties.
• —The price depends on age, city, licence seniority and claims history (bonus-malus).

CASCO — optional, covers YOUR own car

CASCO is an optional policy that covers damage to your own car regardless of who is at fault — including when it is you. It generally covers:

• —An accident that is your fault
• —Theft and vandalism
• —Natural events (hail, storm, floods)
• —Minor damage (scratches, broken glass), depending on the policy

When is CASCO worth it?

• —A new or expensive car — any damage would cost you a lot out of pocket.
• —A car on leasing or credit — CASCO is usually required by the contract.
• —You park on the street / in a risky area — theft, vandalism, hail.

For an old, cheap car, CASCO can cost more than you would ever recover — many drivers reasonably skip it in that case.

How to save

• —Compare several offers before you renew — the differences are large.
• —On CASCO, a higher deductible lowers the premium (you pay part of a claim, but the premium is smaller).
• —Driving without accidents raises your RCA bonus year after year.

Whatever you choose, the key is not to let the policy expire. With Carvix you add the expiry date and get an automatic reminder 30, 7 and 1 day before — for RCA, CASCO, ITP and road tax at once.