How long can you keep your no claims without insurance?
Asked by: Dr. Lavern Ebert II | Last update: November 24, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (55 votes)
How long does no claims bonus last if not used?
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.
What happens to my no claims if I don't have insurance?
Unfortunately, this grace period only tends to last for two years. If you go longer than that without having insurance, you won't get any discount on your new policy. And that (usually) means you'll have to build up your no claims bonus from scratch.
Can I still sue if I don't have insurance?
If you are an uninsured driver in California, you still have the right to sue another party if they are at fault in your car accident. Even though car insurance is mandatory in the state, many drivers still find themselves uninsured at the time of a crash.
No-Claims Bonus - Things to look out for
Is it worth suing someone without car insurance?
Suing the uninsured driver might not be worth it unless they are financially capable of satisfying a judgment. After a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact a car accident lawyer about your legal options.
Is it illegal to not make an insurance claim?
There are no laws that require you to notify your insurance company after an accident. However, there is a good chance that your car insurance policy does require that you report any accident and if you fail to do so your insurance company can deny any claims that result from it.
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.
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 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 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.
What is the maximum no-claims bonus?
Once you've had motor insurance for a year or more without making a claim, you should be eligible for a 'no claim discount' or 'no claim bonus. ' This usually amounts to a reduction of 30% on your premium in the first year, rising in annual steps to a maximum of 60 or 65%.
Is it worth paying for 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.
How long can I freeze my car insurance?
You can't legally freeze your car insurance policy if you're still driving your car, but you may be able to cancel your coverage indefinitely if you're not driving your vehicle for a long period of time.
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.
Can your no claims expire?
As a general rule, car insurance providers won't accept a no-claims bonus or discount (NCD) that's older than two years. This may vary depending on the insurance provider, but there are few who'll accept a no-claims bonus that's lapsed for more than two years.
Do insurance companies go after uninsured drivers?
While insurance companies may pursue uninsured drivers to recover claim costs, the process can be complex and time-consuming. Uninsured drivers involved in accidents should seek legal counsel promptly to protect their rights and explore possible compensation avenues.
Can you get sued with no-fault insurance?
Instead of determining fault for the accident, the coverage initiates a settlement to help protect the holder of the policy. Again, no-fault laws limit the option for a driver to be sued for a no-fault collision. In accidents, a lawsuit may not result.
What happens if I don't protect my no-claims bonus?
Should I protect my no claims bonus? If you don't claim on your car insurance, your insurer will give you a no-claims bonus each year – which is a future discount on your next policy. But if you need to claim, you could lose any discount you've built up, unless you pay to protect it.
What happens if you don't tell your insurance about an accident?
There is no California law per se about notifying your insurance company after a collision, but your auto insurance policy is a contract. When you signed it, you agreed to the stipulations in the contract, which will almost certainly include the requirement to notify the insurance company promptly after an accident.
What happens if I don't answer an insurance company after an accident?
Every modern auto liability insurance policy has a “duty to cooperate” clause, in which the insured driver has explicitly agreed to cooperate with their insurer's investigation and defense of a claim. Failure to cooperate may result in an insurance company deciding to deny coverage.
Can you still sue without insurance?
Other states allow uninsured drivers to collect economic damages, like medical expenses and property damage, but restrict other types of compensation. For example, in California, drivers who are uninsured at the time of an accident can't get "non-economic" damages from the at-fault driver.
Should I pay for a car accident out of pocket or let insurance pay?
If the repair costs are less than your deductible (or even slightly more) you should pay for the repairs out of pocket. For example, if the damage to your car costs $300 to fix, and your deductible is $200, you would save $100 by filing a claim.