Is RCF-V Enough?

“It was just a simple repair… but I almost went into debt”

Let me tell you a story that still gives me chills.

It was a regular Wednesday. I had just left work, light traffic, everything going smoothly. Just one moment of distraction — the car in front stopped suddenly and BAM, I crashed. Nothing too serious, but it was a luxury SUV. The result? Over R$12,000 in damages… which I almost had to pay out of pocket.

Fortunately, I had third-party insurance, the well-known RCF-V (Optional Civil Liability for Vehicles). The insurance covered everything. But what really scared me was realizing this: if the crash had been worse or involved injuries, I could still be in debt today.

That’s why I decided to write this article. If you’re thinking of getting just RCF-V to save money, read until the end. I’ll explain everything: advantages, limitations, and the hidden risks that no one talks about.

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What is RCF-V insurance?

RCF-V is the most basic type of auto insurance. It only covers damages you cause to other people or their property. In other words:

✅ It covers:

• Material damages to vehicles, gates, walls, utility poles, etc.
• Bodily injuries to third parties (e.g., accidental hit-and-runs, injuries from accidents)
• Moral damages in some cases (depending on the policy)

❌ But it does NOT cover:

• Your own car, even if the accident was someone else’s fault
• Theft, robbery, flooding, fire, or total loss
• 24/7 assistance (in most insurers)

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Why do so many people choose just RCF-V?

To be honest? Because it’s cheap.

Here’s a real comparison based on quotes from June 2025:

Driver Profile	City	Comprehensive Insurance	RCF-V Only
Woman, 38	Belo Horizonte	R$ 2,350	R$ 620
Man, 42	Campinas – SP	R$ 2,800	R$ 700
Young, 24	Rio de Janeiro	R$ 3,990	R$ 950

📊 Sources: Porto, Allianz, Azul Seguros, Liberty.

It’s tempting, I know. But this lower price comes with hidden costs.

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The benefits of RCF-V (because it does have value)

Let’s be fair. RCF-V has its merits — and can be the best option for certain profiles:

✅ 1. Excellent cost-benefit You pay little for essential protection: covering damages you may cause to others (and protecting your CPF from lawsuits).

✅ 2. Helps you avoid legal trouble An accident involving bodily harm can turn into a legal nightmare. RCF-V takes care of that for you.

✅ 3. Suitable for older cars If your car is worth less than R$20,000, a full policy might not make sense. In that case, protecting third parties is a great start.

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But now let’s talk about the hidden risks…

And here, I speak as a specialist — and as someone who has seen painful outcomes from lack of coverage.

❌ 1. You pay for your car’s damage — out of pocket Even minor repairs (a side panel, headlight, or bumper) can easily cost over R$3,000. If the car is new or imported, double that.

❌ 2. No coverage for theft or robbery And Brazil still has high crime rates. According to CNseg, there were over 500,000 vehicle thefts and robberies in 2024. In São Paulo alone, more than 4,000 cars are stolen each month.

❌ 3. No 24/7 roadside assistance Electrical failure, flat tire, no gas… all of that requires assistance. With RCF-V only, you pay extra.

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A real case I witnessed up close

Carlos, a client of a fellow broker, had a paid-off, popular car. He chose only RCF-V, thinking he was protected.

A month later, heavy flooding hit his neighborhood. His car was submerged. The result? Total loss.

The insurer said: “Unfortunately, your policy only covers third-party damages.”

Carlos lost the car and had to take out a loan to buy another. If he had chosen comprehensive coverage, he would’ve received R$36,000 from the Fipe Table. He was paying R$180/month. Trying to save R$80, he lost everything.

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Is RCF-V enough? It depends on your profile

Let’s be realistic. There are situations where RCF-V may be a valid option:

• You have an old car with low market value
• You drive infrequently, usually in safe areas
• You can’t afford comprehensive insurance right now
• You need insurance just to meet work or app requirements

In these cases, RCF-V is better than no coverage at all.

But if:

• You have a financed or newer vehicle
• You depend on your car for work
• You live in a big city or high-risk area for theft or flooding

…then RCF-V alone is not enough. You’re essentially driving without a seatbelt.

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Smart tip to save money the right way

You can opt for a customized comprehensive plan with a higher deductible and no extras (like rental car or headlight coverage) — this significantly reduces the cost.

Also, installing a tracker and having a bonus class discount can lower the final price by up to 30%, according to Allianz and Porto.

Cheap can become VERY expensive

Third-party insurance is like locking the gate… but leaving the front door open.

It protects others, but it doesn’t protect you.

If RCF-V is all you can afford right now, that’s okay. But be aware. And whenever possible, aim for coverage that also protects what’s yours — your car, your peace of mind, your daily life.