Do I lose my no-claims bonus if someone hits me?

Asked by: Raleigh Pouros  |  Last update: April 16, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (11 votes)

Unfortunately, your insurance premiums will almost certainly increase when a claim is made against you. You'll also lose your no-claims bonus if it's the first claim you've been on the receiving end of a claim. The amount by which your insurance rates increase may vary a great deal.

What makes you lose no claims bonus?

If you make two claims during the period you're insured for, you'd lose four years' bonus, and if you made three or more claims during the period you're insured for, you'd lose them all.

Do I lose my excess if someone hits me?

Paying excess for a car accident that isn't your fault

If your insurance company have dealt with the claim, they should claim the excess back for you. If you have a no fault accident, a credit hire company can also make a claim on your behalf.

Does your insurance go up if someone hits you?

If you are involved in an accident and file a claim, even if it was not your fault, your insurance company may see you as a higher risk to insure and increase your rates. Consider speaking with a licensed insurance agent to see how much insurance could increase after an accident where you're not at fault.

Do you lose your no claims if you have an accident?

Registered User Your NCB will not be affected by this accident. The only reason that anyone may lose their NCB is for a claim from their own insurance - either for their own or a third party's damage.

The Person Who Hit Me Doesn't Have Insurance! What now?

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What happens if no one claims fault in a car accident?

But what will happen if no one is at fault for your car accident? You can always file a no-fault car insurance claim. The insurance provider will compensate the policyholder and its passengers for the cost of minor injuries and loss of income regardless of who caused the accident.

Do I need to protect my no-claims bonus?

Is it worth protecting my no-claims bonus? No-claims bonus protection can offer peace of mind if you're worried about potential accidents or claims. This can be valuable when you've built up a healthy discount over the years. However, it's worth noting that no-claims bonus protection costs extra.

Will my insurance go high if someone hits me?

It may seem unfair, but accidents that aren't your fault may still increase your rate depending on your state and insurer. Not-at-fault accidents can indicate a higher likelihood of future accidents.

How does car insurance work if someone hits you?

Collision coverage typically helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's hit by another vehicle (or if you hit another vehicle or object), regardless of who is at fault. Even if you cannot find the other driver, you may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy's collision coverage.

Why does insurance go up when it's not your fault?

If your driving record is laden with traffic violations or accidents, you might see an increase in your insurance rates after a no-fault claim, as insurance providers perceive drivers with a history of accidents or violations as high-risk and impose higher rates to mitigate the associated risk.

Does no fault accident affect insurance?

In addition, certain states, such as California and Oklahoma, don't allow insurance companies to increase rates after a non-fault claim.

Do you pay excess when you are not at fault?

Once liability has been determined by the insurer and if you're found to be not at fault, your excess will be waived and your claim will continue as normal. It can be easy to assign blame and assume it's the other driver's responsibility to cover costs, especially if the events around the incident weren't clear-cut.

Do you get your excess back if it's not your fault?

You pay the excess in the event of any claim made on your insurance policy regardless of who is to blame. However, if it's proved the accident was the other person's fault and the full cost is recovered from their insurer, you may be able to recover this amount.

Have I lost my no claims bonus?

Your bonus will remain intact until you make a claim or if you go two years without car insurance. You can find out how many years of no claims bonus you've accumulated on your car insurance renewal paperwork, on your cancellation letter, or a letter from your provider confirming your no-claims discount.

How do I remove an accident from my insurance record?

While some insurance companies will offer a promotional program called "accident forgiveness" in situations where drivers are not found at fault, you cannot remove an accident occurred from a driving record. Your driving abstract is not like a criminal record that can be sealed or expunged.

Can I withdraw no claim bonus?

If you let your policy lapse, regardless of how many claim-free years you have and how many premium discounts you are entitled to under your car insurance policy, your car insurer will withdraw the No Claim Bonus.

Do I get paid if someone hits my car?

If another insured driver hits your car and is at fault for the accident, their insurance company will pay for the damage. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene, your own insurance will pay if you have the right coverage.

Should I file a claim if I'm not at fault?

Always File a Claim, Regardless of Who Was At-Fault

One of the primary questions we receive from clients who have been in an accident is whether they should report the accident to their own auto insurance carrier, particularly when the accident was not their fault. And the answer to that question is: always.

What happens if I hit a car but no damage?

* Exchange information: Get the other driver's name, contact information, insurance information, and license plate number. * Document the incident: Take photos of both vehicles, even if there's no visible damage. * Report the incident: If required by law in your area, report the incident to the police.

Does my insurance get involved if someone hits me?

Certain states, including California and Oklahoma, legally prohibit insurance companies from raising customer rates after no-fault claims.

How long do accidents stay on your record?

In the state of California, most vehicle accidents will stay on your record for around 3 years. However, more serious traffic violations will follow you for longer. For example, a DUI conviction will stay on your record for 10 years.

When someone hits your car does your insurance go up?

A few states, including Oklahoma and California, don't allow insurers to increase your rates if a crash was not your fault.

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 many years no claims will I lose after an accident?

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.