Drivers for over nine years have warned of a common misunderstanding

Experienced drivers have been warned that they are not making the savings they thought. Drivers with nine years with no claims have been warned they “don’t know” they are no longer getting discounts.

While a no-claims bonus doesn’t have an expiration date as such, experts say most drivers don’t realize when they hit nine years, it mostly stops there. Car insurance firms are unlikely to offer further discounts and money if drivers hit the nine-year claim-free threshold, it has been warned.

Experts say there are other confounding elements that can invalidate NCD protection. Becoming a named driver instead of the primary driver, for example, can wipe out savings.

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A spokesperson for Compare The Market said: “A non-claim bonus does not have an expiry date as such. As long as you have a valid car insurance policy with no claim or go less than two years between policies, your NCD (No Claims Discount) should remain active.

“However, there is a time limit on the maximum number of years you can accumulate claims without a claim. This can vary by provider, but most will cap the maximum no-claims bonus at around nine years. Once you’ve achieved this, you’ve won. you don’t get a bigger discount in future years without complaints.”

A spokesman for Quotezone.co.uk added: “Is it true that nine years is the limit for building a no-claims discount? but not all”.

CEO and motor insurance expert Greg Wilson said people are keen to protect their no-claims discount – but “are not aware of the simple things” that can invalidate their protection.

He said: “Without realising, certain changes to the policy, such as becoming a named driver instead of the main driver or having a gap of more than two years, say during the pandemic when they were not driving – could delete no damage is formed and cancel the insurance policy.

“A no-claims discount can be one of the biggest factors when it comes to the cost of a policy. Unfortunately, a lot of people may not know these big “no no’s” that can take away their no claims and eradicate the discount they have accumulated. The difference between the 0 and 5 year no claim bonus can also be significant, estimating 30% for one year no claim and 60% for five years no claim – although again each insurance provider can be different so drivers need to compare.

“Discount no-claims protection is another hot topic this year, customers should check the details with their insurer, get a quote with and without extra protection to compare and ensure their bonus is continuously protected in the event of who decide to change supplier. .”