Can You Transfer Your No Claims Bonus to a New Car?
Yes, you can, and you absolutely should. That hard-earned no claims bonus (NCB) isn't tied to your car; it's tied to you as the driver. So when you switch vehicles, the discount you've built up over the years can follow you to your new wheels - provided you go about it the right way.
Think of it like frequent flyer points for careful driving. If you've spent five years avoiding bumps, scrapes, and claims, insurers are more than happy to reward that behaviour, regardless of what you're now driving.
How Does the Transfer Work?
Transferring your no claims bonus usually happens automatically when you update your existing insurance policy to a new car. It's simply a case of telling your insurer the registration number, make and model of your new vehicle, and they'll amend your policy accordingly.
But if you're switching insurance providers altogether, the process involves a bit more admin. You'll need to:
- Request proof of your no claims bonus from your previous insurer
- Send this to your new provider, usually via email or upload portal
- Make sure the details match exactly (name, dates, number of years)
Just imagine: someone upgrades their trusty old hatchback to a shiny new estate and forgets to send their NCB certificate. Their new insurer charges full price. Weeks later, they finally dig out the paperwork - only to find the grace period has passed. A painful oversight for the sake of one missing email.
How Many Years Can You Transfer?
Most insurers cap the benefit at around nine years, even if you've technically been claim-free for longer. But that doesn't mean you should ignore the rest - it still reflects positively on your risk profile.
And yes, you can usually transfer the full number of years, whether it's one year or nine, as long as the previous policy was:
- Held in your name
- UK-based
- Active within the last two years
Leave it longer than that without a valid policy and some insurers may reset your bonus entirely - so timing matters.
Can You Transfer No Claims Bonus Between People?
Here's where things get a bit tricky. No, you can't directly transfer your NCB to someone else, even if it's your spouse or partner. That bonus is earned by you, for your record, and insurers don't usually make exceptions.
That said, some providers offer a "mirrored" bonus for second cars or partner policies; very importantly recognising your history without giving the full discount. Worth asking about, especially for multi-car households.
Can You Transfer Between Policies - Like from Van to Car?
Not always. Many insurers treat car and van insurance separately. So if you're switching vehicle types, your NCB might not move with you. Again, a few insurers are more flexible than others, but you'll need to ask directly and may need to provide extra evidence of your driving history.
What to Watch Out For
Whilst transferring no claims is usually smooth, here are some potential speed bumps:
- Policy gaps - Leave more than 24 months between active policies and your bonus might expire.
- Name mismatches - Make sure your full name matches across all documentation.
- International cover - Bonuses from policies held outside the UK may not be recognised.
It's worth getting everything lined up early - especially if you're changing cars and insurers at the same time. That paperwork backlog can be surprisingly stubborn.
Drawing to a Close:: Don't Let Your Discount Go to Waste
Your no claims bonus is one of the most valuable assets you've got when it comes to keeping premiums down. Protect it, transfer it, and make sure it's properly applied to your new policy - even if you're switching cars, providers, or both.
Click here to compare car insurance quotes now - make sure your no claims discount works as hard for your new car as it did for the last one.