A no-claims bonus, or NCB, is an easy way to get discounted car insurance. And if you've gone a year without filing a claim, you probably already have it.
Picking a car insurance policy to purchase often feels like choosing between a thousand different discounts
. Every car insurance company offers discounts as a way to try and gain or keep your business, and choosing the right insurance for you is often a matter of finding the right discounts and applying them. One common discount is called a no-claims bonus, which is often referred to as a good driver discount. No-claims discounts are fairly common, and most car insurance providers offer them in some form or fashion.
But not all car insurance
discounts are straightforward, so it’s important to know exactly what it is you’re getting with a specific discount. Here's everything you need to know about good driver discounts. And if you want to search for discounts and coverage options across multiple insurers at the touch of a button, try the Jerry
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What is a no-claims bonus in vehicle insurance?
A no-claims bonus is exactly what it sounds like: a discount you receive for not having filed a claim. Car insurance companies make money when you’re not filing claims, and want to reward you for that behavior. When you do file a claim, they lose money because they’re likely to have to send a payment your way to cover the damage for your car.
So, a no-claims discount is essentially a car company rewarding you for being a good driver, and thus, making them more money.
Many no-claims discounts will reward you for having gone a certain amount of time without filing a claim, even if you have filed some in the past.
How does a no-claims bonus work?
Different companies have different ways of using no-claims discounts. For instance, some companies charge you a higher premium and give you better coverage, then refund you every few months that you don’t file a claim.
Many companies offer the discount as a reduced rate, while others offer it as a payout reward.
Your no-claims bonus will kick in once you've gone a year without filing a claim, and every year past that will get you even more discounted insurance.
Do no-claims bonuses grow with time?
Yes. At most car insurance companies, the size of your no-claims discount will grow the longer you go without filing a claim. Keep driving safely, and you'll keep saving more and more money.
Is a no-claims bonus available when applying for car insurance?
Yes, you can get a no-claims bonus when applying for a new carrier. A no-claims discount usually follows you from insurer to insurer. It’s not like a loyalty discount where you need to stay with one company.
If you have never filed a claim, or haven’t filed one in a long time, you’ll be eligible for a no-claims discount with any company that offers it.
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Which car insurance companies offer no-claims bonuses?
Almost all car insurance companies offer no-claims bonuses, though it isn’t always advertised. Sometimes it’s just built into your rate. All of the major car insurance companies have some version of a no-claims discount.
If your car insurance company sees that you don't have to file claims often, you'll get discounted premiums in return.
Do filed claims remove your no-claims bonus?
Filing claims when you're at fault will surely remove your no-claims bonus, but not all claims that you file count against your no-claims discount. If you are not at-fault in an accident and all of the damage is covered by the at-fault party’s insurer, it usually won’t impact your no-claims discount because your insurance company didn’t need to get involved beyond the initial claim.
Furthermore, if you have a comprehensive car insurance plan
and are not at fault in an accident involving an uninsured driver, it shouldn’t impact your no-claims discount. No-claims discounts also aren’t impacted by small claims, such as roadside assistance. A no-claims discount can be a great way for many drivers to save money on their car insurance. If you haven’t been in an accident in some time, it might be a discount you can take advantage of.
FAQs
Should you avoid filing a claim to keep a no-claims bonus?
It can sometimes save you money to not file a claim. In cases of minor repair, it may be cheaper to pay out of pocket and not lose your discount. This all depends on your insurance company, the cost of the repair, the cost of the discount, and the size of your deductible. It’s worth doing the math.
For instance, if the repairs to your car cost $700 and you have a $500 deductible, it might be worth it to go ahead and pay the extra $200 yourself in order to avoid losing a no-claims bonus and higher premiums for filing a claim.
Do I have a no-claims bonus?
If you've gone a year without filing any claims, yes, you probably have a no-claims bonus. And the longer you go without filing a claim, the bigger the discount.
Saved $725 annually
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