What does protecting your no claims mean?

Asked by: Kennedy Pollich  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (11 votes)

By protecting your no claims discount, you'll be locking in that discount. You'll continue to pay less on your premium even if you have an accident. You might still lose your discount if you have a number of accidents in one year though. The trade-off is that you'll have to pay an additional fee for the protection.

What happens if you don't protect your no claims?

If you don't make a claim, there is no guarantee that your premium won't go up if you have even a minor accident. Insurers will reassess a driver's risk in the event of an accident regardless of how many years of no-claims their record shows.

What does it mean to protect no claims?

No claim discount (NCD) protection is an optional cover which protects your NCD from one "at fault" claim every year. It does not protect the overall price of your insurance policy, but does guarantee that your premium won't increase next year as a result of a claim.

Will my insurance go up if I have protected no claims?

If you've protected your no claims discount, then making a claim shouldn't affect the number of years that contribute to your NCD. However, if you've had an accident, the basic cost of your premium is likely to go up.

How long does protected no claims last?

A no claims bonus or no claims discount is usually valid for two years after a policy comes to an end. After such time you'll need to build a new no claims bonus.

No-Claims Bonus - Things to look out for

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Is protecting no claims worth it?

If you have five years' no claims discount, it will significantly cut the cost of your car insurance. You could lose all that for just one accident. ... By protecting your no claims discount, you'll be locking in that discount. You'll continue to pay less on your premium even if you have an accident.

Do I lose my no claims if someone hits me?

Many insurers offer NCB protection for a small fee. This means that if you make a claim for something like damage caused by a storm, if your car is stolen, or hit by an uninsured driver then you won't lose your NCB.

How does Protected No Claims work if you have an accident?

Frequently referred to as no-claims discount protection, protecting your NCB allows you to have a certain amount of 'at fault' accidents without affecting the bonus. This means that your no-claims bonus remains intact even if your insurer can't claim their costs back.

Does my insurance go up if someone hits me?

Naturally, most injured victims that contact our firm want to know about the financial consequences of the collision. A common question that potential clients ask us when they call is whether their car insurance rates will increase as a result of the collision – even if they weren't at fault. The answer: no.

Is no claims bonus on the car or person?

No claims discounts are designed for motorists with their own car insurance policies, on which they are named as the main driver. So if you are a named driver on someone else's policy, you may find you are unable to build up your own bonus.

What should you not say to your insurance after an accident?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.

Should I call my insurance if it wasn't my fault?

Yes, you should call your insurance company if you were in a car accident that was not your fault. ... First, your insurance company may require you to contact them as outlined in your policy. Second, you may discover available coverage to help you with your damages, even if the accident is not your fault.

Should I tell my insurance company about a minor accident?

Insurance Disclosure

But if the accident does not result in major damage or injuries, you might wonder, “Should I call my insurance company after a minor accident?” The short answer is yes — it is always a good idea to let your insurance company know when you have been involved in a collision.

Do you pay excess on a non-fault claim?

Paying the excess when it's not your fault

But usually you'll have to pay it – so make sure you can afford it. When your insurer is certain you're not at fault, you'll get it back.

Is 9 years the maximum no claims bonus?

Our maximum No Claims Bonus (also known as No Claims Discount) level is 9 years, so it will automatically be displayed as such on your renewal notice.

Can an insurance company refuse to pay a claim?

Unfortunately, you may have a valid claim, and the other driver's insurance company refuses to pay for it, you need to pursue it or even involve an insurance lawyer. ... While other insurance companies may deny the claim and decline to pay.

How do I prove my no claims?

There are three main forms of proof:
  1. The renewal invite from your current or previous insurer will state the number of years you've enjoyed a no claims bonus.
  2. A cancellation letter from your previous insurer, as long as it states your no claim bonus.
  3. A letter from your previous insurer confirming your no claims bonus.

What is motor legal protection and do I need it?

Motor Legal Protection is there for you to help you recover losses you are not covered for by other insurance cover you may have. ... If you're injured in an accident that isn't your fault and are unable to work, Motor Legal Protection could help you recover loss of earnings.

Is it better to pay for an accident out of pocket?

For minor or negligible accidents, like a dent or a broken tail light, consider paying out of pocket. In the event that your deductible cost is higher than the cost to repair your car, you'll not only pay more than necessary to fix your vehicle, but your premium may also increase.

What do I do after a car accident which is your fault?

If You're At-fault in a Car Accident
  1. Stay put. ...
  2. Contact the proper authorities. ...
  3. Gather evidence. ...
  4. Avoid admitting fault after the accident. ...
  5. Contact your insurance company. ...
  6. Report the facts. ...
  7. Gather and submit evidence. ...
  8. Share the police report.

How long does it take for insurance to pay out after accident?

Once an insurance company has admitted liability and agreed to process the claim, they tend to move quickly. Some claimants receive their compensation in a few days. More commonly, the claimant will receive their compensation payment within 2 and 4 weeks.

How does insurance work when someone hits your car?

If someone hits your car and you do have collision coverage, then your insurance company can help pay for repairs. Collision coverage will also cover damage to your car if you caused the accident, or if there were no other drivers involved, like if you drove into a telephone pole.

Do insurance companies talk to each other?

While car insurance companies don't talk directly to each other, they do share information. All car insurance companies can access your claims history through a database called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE). They will also use other similar statistics to assess your risk.

What happens if someone hits your car and leaves?

What if someone hits my parked car and leaves? If someone hits your parked car and leaves the scene, the accident could be considered a hit-and-run. This is a crime, and you should contact the police to file a report. The police might also be able to help you identify who hit your car.

Should I talk to my insurance company after an accident?

Generally speaking, you shouldn't talk to the other insurance company when there is the potential for anyone involved in the accident (you, the other driver, a passenger) making a claim for serious personal injuries. ... Having said that, in some situations, it may make sense to speak with the other insurance company.