How do I get proof of my 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 insurer who can 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
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 12 months or more 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. For example, the average annual premium for a driver without a no-claims bonus is £1190.33
Although premiums naturally tend to fall as drivers gain more experience and are statistically less likely to be involved in an accident it’s clear that not claiming on your car insurance for a number of years can have a big impact.
You should be aware that no-claims bonuses will generally reset if you go more than two years without car insurance. For example, if your family downsizes to one car and you are only a named driver rather than having your own separate insurance policy.
When you switch insurer, you may be 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 get proof of my no-claims bonus?
Your no-claims bonus 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 to request a letter that confirms your discount.
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 car insurance renewal letter
Your car insurance cancellation letter
Otherwise, you’ll need to request 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.
Do I need to show proof of my no-claims bonus?
You may not need to provide proof of your no-claims bonus when you take out a new policy as authorised insurers can verify your details on the Motor Insurers’ Bureau NCD database. However, sometimes your new insurer will ask you to provide proof yourself.
How does my no-claims bonus work?
If you decide to stay with your current insurer it will apply a discount when you renew your insurance premium.
Alternatively, if you switch to a new insurance provider you can usually also transfer your no-claims bonus and receive a reduction in your premium.
Be aware that the amount of no-claims discount you receive can vary between insurance companies and some will cap the discount after a certain number of years.
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?
Yes, you can usually 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 can contact your insurer directly and ask for details.
Authorised insurers can also access records of your no-claims bonus online, by using the Motor Insurers’ Bureau’s no-claims discount database. When you’re looking for a new car insurance policy, you can check how many years of 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?
No, 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, if you take out your own car insurance policy with that provider in the future they may give you a discount based on your driving history as a named driver.
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 my 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?
Yes, car insurance providers usually offer a no-claims discount protection policy. By paying a small ‘protection’ fee to your provider you’ll typically be allowed a set number of ‘at fault’ incidents without it affecting your no-claims bonus. The specific rules on how this applies will depend on your provider. For example, some providers may only allow one claim in a year and require you to have held your no-claims bonus for a set period of time before you can protect it.
Whether NCB protection is worth the extra cost depends on your budget, how much your insurance is, and how big your discount is.
If you have 50% off and your insurance is usually £1,000, for example, this could bring the price down to £500. Paying £50 for protection in this instance would make sense as you’re still saving money overall. But it’s a gamble, as you may not end up making a claim anyway.
Bear in mind that even if you protect your no-claims bonus, any claims you make will still be on your record and could affect your future car insurance premiums. Essentially, your no-claims bonus protection doesn’t protect your premium from going up but does guarantee you receive a discount (as long as you stick to your insurer’s rules).
Does a no fault accident affect my no-claims bonus?
No, if you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault it shouldn’t affect your no-claims bonus but it might be reduced temporarily while your claim is being processed. Your insurer should restore it once your claim is settled as non-fault.
Can I get a no-claims bonus if I’m an ex-company car driver?
Yes, some insurers will give you a no-claims bonus based on the number of years that you have had ‘claim free’ as a company car driver. However, you’ll usually need a letter from your employer which states:
How long you had the company car for
The number of years you didn’t make a claim
That you no longer have a company car
There may be other restrictions such as whether you had sole use of the company car and your age.
How can I find a good deal on my car insurance?
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.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Sarah Tooze
Car & Van Insurance Expert
Sarah Tooze has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in company cars and vans, and has won a number of awards during her career, including the Newspress ‘Automotive...
