No Claims Bonus (NCB) in the UK

Your no claims bonus (also called no claims discount or NCB) can have a big impact on your car insurance price. If you've built up claim-free years, it's worth understanding how NCB works and what happens if you change car, change insurer, or make a claim.

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Who This Page Is For

This guide is for UK drivers who want to:

  • understand what no claims bonus means
  • know how many years of NCB they have and how it's used
  • understand what happens to NCB after a claim
  • compare quotes while entering NCB details correctly

If you're renewing soon or switching insurers, this page helps you avoid common mistakes. Building NCB alongside age and experience can lead to more competitive quotes - drivers over 25 and especially drivers over 50 often benefit from combining both factors. See our car insurance if you're over 25 guide. If you're taking out your first policy with no NCB yet, see our first-time car insurance page for initial policy setup advice. Note that NCB is separate from penalty points, which affect your record differently.

What Is No Claims Bonus (NCB)?

No claims bonus is a discount many insurers apply when you've gone a number of years without making a claim on your policy.

NCB is usually measured in years (for example 1 to 9 years). How much discount you get can vary depending on the insurer and your overall risk profile.

How Does NCB Affect the Cost of Car Insurance?

In general, more NCB years can help reduce your premium, but pricing still depends on many factors, including:

Driver Details

Your age, driving experience, claims history, and any convictions.

Vehicle Information

Your car type, insurance group, and where the car is kept overnight.

Location & Usage

Your postcode, annual mileage, and how you use the car.

Cover Options

Cover type, excess level, and any optional extras you choose.

Different insurers may treat the same NCB years differently, which is why comparing quotes can be useful.

What Happens to NCB If You Make a Claim?

This depends on the insurer and the type of claim.

In many cases:

  • making a claim can reduce your NCB years
  • some claims may have a different impact depending on the insurer's rules
  • if you have NCB protection, it may help you keep some or all of your NCB after a claim (subject to terms)

Always check your insurer's policy wording for how NCB is affected.

Can You Transfer NCB to a New Insurer?

Often yes, but you may need to provide proof (such as a renewal notice or confirmation of NCB years). Insurers may ask for evidence within a certain timeframe after the policy starts.

If you switch providers, be sure the NCB years you enter match your documents.

Can You Use NCB on Two Cars?

Usually, you can only use the same NCB on one policy at a time. Some insurers offer separate discounts for multi-car arrangements, but standard NCB generally isn't duplicated across multiple policies.

Practical Tips to Avoid NCB Problems (Common Mistakes)

Entering the wrong number of NCB years

Assuming NCB automatically transfers without proof

Forgetting that a recent claim may affect NCB

Confusing named-driver experience with policyholder NCB

Letting evidence deadlines pass when switching insurer

Being accurate from the start helps avoid policy changes later.

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FAQs: No Claims Bonus (NCB) UK

How many years of NCB can you build?
This varies. Many insurers recognise up to a certain maximum number of years, but exact limits differ.
Does NCB expire if I stop driving?
Some insurers may have time limits for recognising previous NCB if there is a gap. It depends on the provider.
Is NCB the same as named driver experience?
Not usually. NCB generally applies to the main policyholder's claim-free record, not a named driver.
Does an at-fault claim always reduce NCB?
It can, but the impact varies by insurer and policy terms. Some claims may be treated differently.
What is NCB protection?
NCB protection is an optional feature some policies offer that may help keep your NCB after certain claims, subject to terms.
Do I need proof of my NCB?
Often yes, especially when switching insurers. Proof requirements vary by provider.
Can I transfer NCB from company car insurance?
Some insurers may accept it, but policies differ. It's best to check what the quote journey asks for.
Should I compare quotes even with high NCB?
Yes. Different insurers price risk differently, so comparing can still make a difference.

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How We Created This Page (Transparency)

This page was created to help UK drivers understand no claims bonus (NCB), how it typically works, and what to consider when comparing car insurance quotes. It is reviewed for clarity and updated as needed to stay accurate and useful.

Important Information

MySupermarketCompare is an insurance comparison website. We introduce customers to our quote partner to help them compare insurance options. Information on this page is general and is not financial advice. MySupermarketCompare.com is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of Seopa Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 313860). The insurance comparison service is provided by Seopa Ltd. Always read policy terms and conditions before purchasing. Individual outcomes and premiums vary based on personal circumstances.

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