What happens if I don't protect my no claims bonus?
Asked by: Alvena Cormier | Last update: July 6, 2023Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)
If you buy protection for your no claims discount, this will add an extra cost to your premium. But if you have an accident without no claims protection in place, you will lose your discount and end up paying more in future anyway.
What happens if I don't protect my no claims bonus?
For example, if you haven't protected your NCD with your insurer, you could lose five (or more) years' worth of no claims discount if another driver was to reverse into your car in the supermarket car park and you needed to claim for repairs.
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. But if you've had an accident, the basic cost of your premium is likely to go up.
How many years can you protect your no claims bonus?
How long before you can protect your no claims bonus? Each insurer will have their own rules. It's common for many insurers to require five years claim-free driving before you can protect your bonus, but others may ask for just three. Check with your own insurance company.
What does do you want to protect your no claims bonus mean?
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.
Do This to PROTECT Your No Claims Bonus!
How do you lose your no-claims bonus?
When you make a claim on your policy you'll usually lose some or all of your NCB if your insurer has to pay out – even if it's not your fault. How much of it you actually lose depends on how many years NCB you have, as well as the insurer. After an accident, there might be some situations where your NCB isn't affected.
Can I add no-claims bonus later?
That depends on your insurance provider and how long it's been since you last had cover. Many insurance providers will say a no-claims discount is invalid if there's a break in your car insurance of two years or more. But other providers may go to three years.
Can you protect 3 years NCB?
You can pay to guarantee or protect your NCB. 'Guaranteed' means a claim won't reduce your bonus but you won't get extra discount that insurance period. 'Protected' allows two claims in three years before the bonus is reduced, and, again, you won't get any discount in that period.
Is it worth protecting no claims bonus?
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. You would also normally lose your discount for being in an accident with an uninsured driver, if you had to make a claim on your own insurance.
Is 9 years no claims the maximum?
Proof of no-claims when your no-claims bonus is higher than your new insurer's maximum. You may go to a new insurer with a higher amount of no-claims bonus than they will accept – for example, if you have 9 years no-claims bonus, but the maximum they apply is 4.
How long does NCD last without insurance?
Your no-claims bonus (usually) lasts for 2 years
If you haven't had your own car insurance for a little while (maybe you sold your car, stopped driving or moved overseas), most car insurance companies will honour your old no-claims discount when you take out new cover.
What does NCD not protected mean?
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 I lose my no claims bonus if I sell my car?
Although your bonus is attributed to a specific policy, it can be transferred to another car if you change vehicles. If you switch insurers before the year is up, however, you won't get the NCB for that year. The same is also true if you sell your car and wait for a period of time before finding a replacement.
Can I split my no claims between 2 cars?
But, you can request proof at any time and the insurer will supply it. Can I split my accumulated NCB across two cars? No. You can only use your exisiting NCB in one policy for one car, but you can build up a separate NCB in another car insurance policy for a second car.
Do insurance companies check NCB?
Do insurance companies ask for proof of no-claims bonus? Yes. If you're switching to a new car insurance provider and tell them you have an existing no-claims bonus in your application, they'll probably need to see some proof.
Can you have two sets of no claims bonus?
Unfortunately, you can only use one set of no claim discount on one vehicle at any time. To earn multiple sets of no claim discount you need to insure multiple vehicles at the same time.
Can I insure 3 cars in my name?
Yes, you can have multiple named drivers as well as multiple cars on your policy – though check with your insurer to see how this would impact your cover or premiums.
Can you be the main driver on 2 cars?
The main and named driver have the same level of cover on the car. But a named driver could be the main driver on another vehicle. You can be the main driver of more than one car. But insurance companies will often question it... to check for fronting.
Do I lose my no claims bonus if someone hits me?
Even if someone hits your car and you make a claim for the damage on your insurance – it is likely that you will lose your no-claims bonus. Remember it is a 'no-claims bonus' and not a 'no-blame bonus'.
What is the cheapest way to insure two cars?
Multi-car insurance covers more than one vehicle under the same policy. It offers the same features as a single-car policy, but gives you a discount for the second vehicle. This makes it one of the cheaper ways to insure more than one car.
Does no claims bonus apply to one car?
You can only use your no claims discount on one vehicle at any one time. However, you will be able to start earning another no claim discount if you take out a policy on a second car.
Is it worth protecting no claims bonus?
Is it worth protecting no claims? If you have a big discount you've built up, say 50% for example, you might want to consider paying for no claims protection. This is because if you make a claim, you could lose anything you've built up already. But if you've paid for the extra, it should be protected.
Do I lose my no claims bonus if someone hits me?
Even if someone hits your car and you make a claim for the damage on your insurance – it is likely that you will lose your no-claims bonus. Remember it is a 'no-claims bonus' and not a 'no-blame bonus'.
Will I lose my no claims if an accident wasn't my fault?
A no claims bonus (NCB), or more correctly a no claims discount, is awarded if you don't claim in the latest policy year. Even if you have an accident that wasn't your fault – you're hit by an uninsured driver, or your car gets stolen – you could lose your NCB, and your premium could even go up at renewal.
Is 9 years no claims the maximum?
Proof of no-claims when your no-claims bonus is higher than your new insurer's maximum. You may go to a new insurer with a higher amount of no-claims bonus than they will accept – for example, if you have 9 years no-claims bonus, but the maximum they apply is 4.