More no claims than on certificate

ro1892

My current car insurance is up for renewal soon. I have 16 years no claims however my current insurer caps it at 15 so will only issue a certificate for 15 years (when I took out the policy last year I provided them with a certificate from my current insurer stating 15 years).

Does anyone know whether a new insurer would accept my previous no claims certificate (stating 15 years) along with my current insurers certificate (also stating 15 years) to prove I have 16 years in total? Or should I just take out next years insurance with what is on my current insurers certificate (15 years) thus losing 1 year.

From doing some quotes, the cost is a little cheaper with 16 years compared to 15 but if the correct thing to do is state I only have 15 years then I'll do that.

Ebe_Scrooge

You can usually only use what is stated on your certificate.  I'm surprised to hear you're got 15 years stated - 9 is as high as most insurers are bothered about.  Having said that, it usually makes very little difference at all once you get more than about 9 or so years NCD.  I suppose you could ask your new insurer whether they would accept the combination of your previous + current certificate - but usually they'll just take what's printed on your renewal invite.

Ectophile

The number of years no claims discount you have is the number stated on your renewal documents.

Don't try to be clever and claim any other number, as it may come back on you if you do ever make it claim.

Grey_Critic

Mine simply says **More than 9 years**

sheramber

When this happened to my husband the company issued a letter confirming that he had NCB of 9 years when joining them, but 5 years was their maximum NCB.  The new company accepted that as proof of the extra years.

ro1892

Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to understand what is allowed and what isn't when shopping around and money saving so that I don't do anything wrong and therefore risk having a policy voided or claim denied.

Another hypothetical scenario in light of some responses saying that 9 years is the max NCB with some insurers...

Assuming that I receive a NCB certificate with 15 years NCB (Jan 2022), then use that for next year's insurance but at the end of that year (Jan 2023) I only get issued with a certificate for 9 years (as this is the most recognised by the new insurer). At this point would I be allowed to use my previous years certificate (15 years) when taking out a new policy (2023 to 2024)? I understand that typically NCB certificates are valid for 2 years after issue so was wondering if this could legally be used to get around an insurer limiting NCB certificates to 9 years.

Merlin139

Probably should not be saying this and tempting fate.

I have been insuring my Motorbikes for 30 years and never made a claim. The most I have ever been able to carry forward was 9 years. Have moved around insurance companies and the max has been 5 years. Raised the problem with companies and been told if you want to carry more forward go to or stay with the company that will allow more than 5 years.

Sandtree

ro1892 said:

Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to understand what is allowed and what isn't when shopping around and money saving so that I don't do anything wrong and therefore risk having a policy voided or claim denied.

Another hypothetical scenario in light of some responses saying that 9 years is the max NCB with some insurers...

Assuming that I receive a NCB certificate with 15 years NCB (Jan 2022), then use that for next year's insurance but at the end of that year (Jan 2023) I only get issued with a certificate for 9 years (as this is the most recognised by the new insurer). At this point would I be allowed to use my previous years certificate (15 years) when taking out a new policy (2023 to 2024)? I understand that typically NCB certificates are valid for 2 years after issue so was wondering if this could legally be used to get around an insurer limiting NCB certificates to 9 years.

Insurers are well aware that there are different maximums across different companies, traditionally it was 5 almost universally but then some went up to 9. Personally not seen any giving anything for more than 9 and if you are doing quotes online there are other reasons why a second quote for 15 years comes out higher thats nothing to do with the change in NCD amount. NB - not done personal lines motor for many years so my "not seen" doesnt mean I am denying any exist.

You will have to use your current NCD certificate but some may allow you to also use older certificates to show your total is higher but you'd be sensible to speak to the new insurer before buying to ensure they are happy with the combination effect. Most were several years ago because Direct Line group (at the time the UKs largest personal car insurer) used to only issue "5 or more years" and so a common problem.

NCD chasing is a bit of a mixed bag though because at the time DLG only gave 5 years NCD but gave a 75% discount for that whereas a close rival gave discount for up to 9 years but at 5 years they gave 70% and at 9 years 74%

Grey_Critic

As I understand things you can achieve a maximum discount for no claims, I think 6 years but I may be wrong.

From that point the discount is fixed and does not increase beyond this point. The actual maximum discount may vary slightly between individual insurers slightly just as do the premiums but that is all.

Yes I can see it being a matter of pride that you may have an unblemished record but I suppose the Nine year thing makes things easier for an insurer from an administrative viewpoint.

Sandtree

Grey_Critic said:

As I understand things you can achieve a maximum discount for no claims, I think 6 years but I may be wrong.

From that point the discount is fixed and does not increase beyond this point. The actual maximum discount may vary slightly between individual insurers slightly just as do the premiums but that is all.

In my day both years cap varied between 5 and 9 years and discount varied between 60% and 75%.

As the vast majority of people have maximum no claims, in part thanks to the high take-up of NCD protection and various "promises" (eg vandalism) its a bit of a silliness and some insurers have massively restructured the NCD they offer so the spread of discounts is certainly much wider and discount received may vary based on other factors.