Do non fault claims affect no claims bonus?

Asked by: Abigale McGlynn  |  Last update: December 26, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (16 votes)

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.

Does a non-fault claim affect my no-claims?

A common question searched online after an accident is 'do I lose my no claims if not my fault' and the unfortunate answer to this question is… Yes, you may lose it. However, you may be able to avoid losing it. A person's no claims bonus is something that takes years to build up but only a moment to lose.

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.

How to remove a non-fault accident on driving 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.

Does your home insurance go up after a claim that is not your fault?

Yes. Fault makes no difference. A claim will impact your rate.

NON FAULT CLAIM FAIL FROM A TOP INSURER 🙄

30 related questions found

What is the 80% rule in insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

Why does my insurance go up when it's not my 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.

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 do you deal with non-fault accidents?

What to Do After a Car Accident that's Not Your Fault
  1. Get out of harm's way.
  2. Check for injuries.
  3. Call the police.
  4. Gather information at the car accident scene.
  5. Report the crash to your insurance company.
  6. Understand insurance coverage.
  7. Get medical treatment.
  8. Contact a car accident lawyer.

How to qualify for accident forgiveness?

For drivers in California, accident forgiveness isn't an option. Proposition 103, which passed in the state in 1988, outlaws “excessive” insurance rates and accident forgiveness was deemed excessive as you're essentially paying for coverage on an accident that hasn't happened yet.

How do insurance companies 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.

What happens if insurance cannot determine fault?

50/50 fault: If it's too difficult to determine fault, particularly if no witnesses saw the accident take place, some insurance companies will decide to split the costs equally between the two drivers.

Will my insurance increase after a claim?

How much does car insurance increase after a claim? Although the amount will depend on who's to blame, the severity of the accident, and your own driving record, you should expect your car insurance to increase by about 20-50% after making a claim.

Do you have to pay excess on a non-fault claim?

To claim, your insurer will require you to pay the total excess. To make a non-fault claim, insurers require non-fault drivers to pay their total policy excess. This total amount, combining your compulsory and voluntary excess, can be an unexpected financial burden.

How much will my car insurance go up after a claim?

By State. You can expect the most elevated car insurance rates post-accident in California, where the average increase is more than 74 percent. Increases are less than 25 percent in Rhode Island, in contrast.

Can I check the cue database?

If you wish to find out what information is held about you on the CUE database, please complete a Subject Access Request form. Alternatively if you wish to contact us regarding a complaint, or any other query relating to these databases, please contact MIB on on 0345 1652803 (freephone) or at dataprotection@mib.org.uk.

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.

Is it better to use your insurance or theirs?

After a car accident, you should notify your insurance company and file a claim, and not deal with the other driver's insurer. Except in rare circumstances, it is not wise to contact them. Your insurance company represents you, and the other driver's insurance company represents them.

What is involved in a non fault accident?

Your rights when an accident isn't your fault

This results in legal liability for the person who caused the harm - in this instance, the at-fault party. The losses suffered will be payable by the at fault party (in practice, their insurer).

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.

What happens after a not at fault accident?

The first step is to get the other party's car insurance information and then report the accident. You should call 911 or the police to respond to the scene. You must also report the accident to both your own insurer and theirs. Generally, this will start the claims process with the at-fault party's insurer.

How long does a no-fault settlement take?

Auto accidents generally take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years to settle in California. Car accidents generally settle faster than other kinds of personal injury claims. This is because car accidents tend to cause less severe injuries than certain other types of cases, like medical malpractice.

Will my insurance go up if I get hit by an uninsured driver?

However, under California's proposition 103, insurance companies are not allowed to raise rates or drop a person because they made an uninsured motorist claim.

What happens if no one is at fault in an 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.

What is considered small accident forgiveness?

Accident forgiveness

"They will typically forgive your first at-fault accident, so your rate won't increase because of the incident," said Friedlander. Each insurer handles accident forgiveness differently: With Progressive, a small claim (under $500) won't raise your rates in most states.