Do you lose your no claims if you stop driving?

makes_cents

Hello,

I'm thinking about getting a car but I was wondering if I go abroad for a year and don't renew my insurance (as my car would be off the road) would I lose my entitlement to any no claims that I have built up?

In case the above isn't clear. If you break for anytime between insurance policies does this nullify any no claims bonuses you have?

Thanks.

MC

david29dpo

I believe up to 2 years.

daveyjp

Ask your insurance company - my wife's held it for 4 years.

Quentin

david29dpo wrote: »

I believe up to 2 years.

There is no hard and fast rule about this.

(Some insurers will only take NCD up to just one year "old", many do say 2 years, and others happily take older)

Roy1234

I asked the same question of Swinton, my broker/insurer of many years.

With the exception of the odd awkward firm who'd only recognise 1 year expired NCB's, they said that almost all recognised upto 2 year expired ones. They said that after 2 years, I'd lose it completely in effect (strange it doesn't 'taper away'?).

So if anyone knows firms who will look beyond the last two years, please let us all know.

Quentin

As posted, there is no strict "rule". Currently Aviva, (3 years), come to mind, but who knows if in 3 years time they will still be doing it?

Joannag_2

My OH has just started driving again after a year of buses! (well he gave it a good go!!) His insurance was no different to his previous one...after about 15 months of just being a named driver on my car.

vaio

I’d guess the time to start looking will be when you return as things could well change whilst you are away.

Couple of other things….will you be driving abroad? Are you storing your car whilst you are away? Does it need insuring (even if only for fire, theft & vandalism)

HigherIQ

Admiral say they take up to 2 years...was only on the phone to them asking this a couple of days ago

Roy1234

It's annoying that being a named driver on your OH's policy doesn't seem to count to preserve your NCB after giving up your own car&policy.

I'd have thought it did prove you were still a good low risk, but the insurance Co's seem to ignore this fact. You're left with the dilemma of whether to buy a cheap car you barely need, just to protect yourself from mad insurance premium demands as/when you ever become a car owner again.