Lost no claims discount

made_in_Ireland

Hi

Hope someone can help me out. I had the maximum no claims discount for years however, when I cancelled my last policy in August 2012 I did not know that I would lose out on further discount if I did not take out a new policy in the next 12 months. I am a named driver on my husbands policy so no need for a separate car insurance. I have no idea how I would ever be able to afford a policy in the future if I had to start with no discount. Seems unfair or is this general knowledge?

Geodark

made_in_Ireland wrote: »

Hi

Hope someone can help me out. I had the maximum no claims discount for years however, when I cancelled my last policy in August 2012 I did not know that I would lose out on further discount if I did not take out a new policy in the next 12 months. I am a named driver on my husbands policy so no need for a separate car insurance. I have no idea how I would ever be able to afford a policy in the future if I had to start with no discount. Seems unfair or is this general knowledge?

As far as I know it depends on the insurance company - but I thought it was usually two years before it is lost. And yes - it is general knowledge unfortunately

rach_k

Try different insurers - some will accept it for longer after you cancelled your own policy. If you find somewhere that will accept it for a couple of years, you could alternate who is the main driver on the insurance for your husband's car - you one year, him the next. You don't have to be the registered keeper to be the main driver. It might cost a few pounds more to do that but it's probably worth it to maintain your NCD.

Also, some insurers might consider allowing you to use your (expired) NCD if you buy a car and stay with the same insurer e.g. if you bought a car and asked your husband's insurer to let you use the NCD with them on a new policy of your own, they might allow that. You could stay with them for a year to get your NCD certificate, then look for the cheapest the next year. Worth checking if they'd consider it.

InsideInsurance

Most insurers its 2 years, co-op is 3 years that they will recognise unused NCD for

Aretnap

rach_k wrote: »

If you find somewhere that will accept it for a couple of years, you could alternate who is the main driver on the insurance for your husband's car - you one year, him the next.

Slight correction - NCD follows the policyholder rather than the main driver. But yes, by alternating policyholder you can keep both NCDs going indefinitely (assuming you don't make any claims, of course).