Can you keep your no claims?
Asked by: Dejah Beatty | Last update: October 15, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (43 votes)
Can I keep my no claims bonus as a named driver?
No claims bonuses only apply to the "main driver". That means if you're married (or living with someone) and you share a car, you can't share your no claims bonus. Only one of you can be the main driver. They're usually the owner of the car, or its 'registered keeper', but not always.
How long can you keep no claims for?
A no claims bonus or no claims discount is usually valid for two years after a policy ends, but it varies between insurers. For example, we accept up to three years. This means that if you don't have a car, you'll still retain your no claims bonus.
How can I keep my no claims bonus without a car?
If you've stopped driving for a while or you no longer own your car, you should still be able to use your no-claims bonus – it will last for two years after you stop driving. After this, it will expire, and you have to start building it again.
Do I lose no claims if it wasn't my fault?
When you make a non-fault claim, your no-claims bonus could be affected while your insurance provider investigates who's at fault. However, if they confirm that you're not liable and they're able to fully recover their losses from the other provider, your full no-claims bonus should be reinstated.
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How long does a no-fault accident stay on your record?
In California, accidents typically stay on your driving record for a period of three years from the date of the accident. During this time, the accident will be considered a public record and, therefore, accessible by insurance companies, potential employers, and law enforcement agencies.
How much does car insurance go down after 1 year no claims?
In many cases, your insurance will go down by 5-20% in the first year of no claim, depending on your insurer. After the first year, this discount increases each year, usually by 5%, if you don't make a claim. But it only increases up to a maximum discount, usually 50-60%, and a number of years — usually 5-6 years.
Do insurers check no claims bonus?
When you renew your insurance and you want to move to a new motor insurance provider, the NCD database enables the new insurer to verify your no claims discount directly from the database. Details provided by the database include the number of discount years and whether these are protected, guaranteed or standard.
How long can you have a gap in car insurance?
What is a car insurance lapse grace period? Your car insurance policy won't be cancelled immediately because you miss a payment. Auto insurance companies are required by state law to provide notice before cancelling your policy. Depending on the state, you'll usually have between 10 and 20 days.
How can you lose no claims bonus?
If you have an accident and are forced to make a claim, you'll lose part or all of your no claims-discount. Even if you claim for an accident where you're not to blame, it could still affect your no-claims discount – unless you can reclaim all costs from the person at fault.
How much NCD will I lose?
If you make one claim on your insurance and your insurance provider pays out, your no claims discount is typically reduced by two or three years. It could be further reduced if you make two or more claims. So, if you have eight years of NCD and make a claim, in theory you'll be left with five or six years.
What is the maximum NCB limit?
What is the maximum percentage of NCB available under car insurance? The maximum percentage of NCB available is 50%. However, to qualify for this discount, you need to have had five consecutive claims-free years. The exact percentage of NCB depends on the number of consecutive years you have not claimed on your policy.
How long does a claim expire?
The California statute of limitations sets specific deadlines for filing lawsuits. For personal injury cases like car accident lawsuits, you have two years from the date of the accident. If you're dealing with damage to your vehicle but no injuries, you have three years to file.
How long can you keep no claims bonus?
How long does a no-claims bonus last? Many no-claims discounts last for two years after your car insurance policy ends. If you don't renew your policy within two years, you may lose the no-claims you've earned.
What happens if the other driver does not file a claim?
If the other driver still refuses to call their insurer back, then your Uninsured Motorist Coverage will step in and pay the claim. They will then collect against the other driver and their insurance company to get their money back, and get your deductible back.
How do I check my NCD online?
You can check your NCD rate easily online through a website called MyCarInfo. This site lets you check details, such as your next NCD percentage, NCD effective date, and policy cover period, among others for free.
What happens if I don't renew my car insurance?
If your car insurance lapses, it means you don't have active coverage. If an insurance company sees that you had a period of time with no insurance, they might consider you a higher risk. Driving without insurance could also result in fines, tickets and a suspended license, depending on the rules in your state.
How late is too late for gap insurance?
According to Straughan, most insurance carriers won't allow you to get gap coverage after a car is two or three years old. Comprehensive and collision coverage.
What happens if I let my insurance lapse?
In some states, auto insurance companies are required to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when you drop insurance or change companies. So once you have a lapse in car insurance, it may be noted on your driving record. In some cases, your car could even be seized or your license suspended.
Do you lose no claims bonus if it's not your fault?
In most cases, a non-fault accident should not affect your no-claims bonus. Your insurance company will typically still honour your no-claims discount as long as you can prove that the accident was not your fault, though insurance companies and policy terms vary.
Who gets no claims bonus, main driver or policyholder?
If you are a named driver of a car, not the main driver, you usually won't be able to build up a no-claims discount. However, if you then go on to take out your own policy with the same insurer, you may benefit from a discount.
What happens if you use no claims bonus on two cars?
Can you use your no claims bonus on a second car? Technically, you can't use the same NCB on two cars at the same time. So if you're getting a 40% NCB discount on one car, you can't automatically use that discount on a second car. You can build up a separate no-claims discount on a second car.
Do insurance rates go up after a no-fault accident?
Yes, insurance rates may go up even if the accident is not your fault, depending on the circumstances of the accident, the types of coverage you have, and your claims history. However, the increase may not be as significant as it would for an at-fault accident.
At what age does car insurance get cheaper?
States Where Age Does Not Affect Rates
In the following states, insurance companies cannot take age into account when calculating insurance premiums: California.