NO CLAIMS DISCOUNT

Key takeaways

• Your no claims discount should be listed in your car insurance policy documents, including renewal letters

• If you can't find proof of your no claims discount, contact your current insurer who will provide it

• You can transfer your no claims bonus to a new provider when you switch car insurance, but you’ll need to show proof

How to get proof of your no-claims bonus

This video information is available as a Text Transcript

What is a no claims bonus?

Most car insurers offer money off insurance premiums for drivers who have gone multiple years without making a claim on their car insurance. This is known as a no claims bonus or a no claims discount.

Generally, the more years of no claims you have, the bigger the discount on offer. However, no claims bonuses will generally reset if you go more than two years without car insurance.

When you switch insurer, you may asked to prove the number of years you've been claim-free for in order to qualify for their no-claims discount.

How do I find proof of my no claims discount?

Your no-claims discount should be listed on your car insurance policy documents and on any renewal documentation sent out by your insurer.

If you can't find it, contact your insurer directly.

What counts as proof of a no-claims bonus?

You may be able to use the following as proof of your no-claims bonus if they contain the right information:

• Your renewal letter

• Your cancellation notice

• Otherwise you’ll need to request a letter.

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. 

To be valid, it must be dated within two years of starting your new car insurance policy. Your insurer will also likely want to see the proof within a certain timeframe of your policy starting – this could be anywhere from 7 to 28 days, so ensure you have it ready as soon as possible. 

In most cases, you’ll just need to send the proof of your no-claims discount via post – but check with your new insurer to be sure. 

How to get proof of your no-claims bonus

To get proof of your no-claims bonus, you can request a letter that confirms your discount from your old provider.

Do I need to show proof of my no-claims bonus?

Sometimes your new insurer will contact your old insurer directly, or they might look your details up on the Motor Insurer’s Bureau. But if not, you’ll need to show proof yourself.

How does a no-claims bonus work?

A no claims discount is a reduction on your car insurance premium cost based on your claims history. As the name suggests, a discount is available if you haven’t made any car insurance claims in a certain time period.

The more years of no claims you have, the bigger the discount on future car insurance policies will be and the lower the amount you will pay.

How much can I save with a no-claims bonus?

Insurers don’t have a set rule about how much of a discount they should offer for each year of no-claims. It’s up to them to decide, but it should result in you saving money compared to drivers without the same length of no-claims bonus.

Can I check my no-claims bonus online?

You may be able to log into your insurance provider’s website and view details of your insurance policy, including how many years of no-claims you have accumulated. If not, you should be able to contact your insurer directly and ask for details.

Authorised insurers can also access records of your no-claims bonus online, by using the Motor Insurance Bureau’s no-claims discount database. When you’re looking for a new car insurance policy, you can check how many years no claims bonus each insurer will take into account by using our free tool.

Can I build a no-claims bonus as a named driver?

If you are a named driver of a car, not the main driver, you usually won’t be able to build up a no claims discount. However, some insurers may let you accumulate a no-claims discount if you’re a named driver on another policy with them – as long as you buy your own car insurance policy with the same provider in the future.

How long do I have to give proof of my no-claims bonus?

If your insurer asks for proof of your no claims bonus, you will usually be required to provide this information in a set time-frame, normally 7 to 28 days.

Having evidence of your no claims bonus ready when you search for car insurance will ensure you adhere to any deadline set.

How long does proof of a no-claims bonus last?

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 cancel your car insurance policy. After this, it will expire, and you have to start building it again.

Can I protect my no-claims bonus?

Insurance providers usually offer a no-claims discount protection policy. With this you’ll be allowed a set number of ‘at fault’ incidents without it affecting your no-claims bonus – but the specific rules on how this applies will depend on your provider.

However it’s important to bear in mind that even if your no-claims bonus remains, any claims you make will still be on your record – so it’s likely to still affect your car insurance premiums.

Compare car insurance quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover. Just tell us about yourself, your driving history, and the car you want to insure, and we’ll search the market for quotes that match your requirements.

You’ll be able to compare policies by the overall cost of cover, the type of policy, and the excess you’d need to pay to make a claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.