Do car insurance perks with no impact on NCD have to be declared as a claim?

ripplyuk

I've noticed my insurance has windscreen cover and key assist for lost keys and it says cover for both will have no impact on my NCD. If I did claim on either of these and change next year to a different insurer, would these have to be declared as a 'claim'? I'm guessing it would, just to be safe. But would this have a big impact on the price I'm quoted?

It just seems an awkward situation. It's like they're saying they don't see these claims as a big deal. This might mean people are more likely to put in a claim, thinking it will have no effect but later on, it could make things more expensive if, forever after, I have to declare I've claimed on car insurance previously.

Is it best to avoid claiming on these things unless absolutely necessary? Or, will it not make much difference to any future quotes?

Aretnap

A claim is a claim. Windscreen claims certainly have to be declared, but generally have little or no effect on your premium. (A single claim at least - I suppose if you made a dozen windscreen claims in a year your insurer might assume that you were likely to make a dozen next year too - and either price accordingly or not offer windscreen cover). You don't have to declare them forever more though - just for as long as the question asks for, which varies from insurer to insurer but is usually 3-5 years.

If you're in doubt as to whether it's worth claiming you can do a couple of dummy quotes on a comparison site (ie don't use your real name, exact address or car registration number) and see how much difference the claim would make to the premiums you're quoted.

InsideInsurance

Glass certainly does have to be declared to most insurers, a few arent interested. As above, a single glass claim makes almost no difference, and in my case made absolutely no difference. More commonly they will exclude glass cover if you've had a lot of claims rather than bump up the premium.

Keys in theory would be the same but you'll find it not as well catered for on quote forms as its much rarer as a standalone coverage so some insurers may ignore it where as others may record it as theft or AD claim which is likely to have a bigger premium impact even if the NCD is unaffected

redux

They might say that it has no effect on NCD, but then load the premium itself slightly.

I find this a bit disingenuous, and said so last year, after realising that having one of those star cracks mended free would cost me about £30 spread over 3 years, and if I'd known in advance I would have either paid or got some glue and done it myself.

After some discussion they gave a discount on a goodwill basis.

Sample quotes with some other insurers show no loading at all for declaring it.