Home › Guides › No-claims bonus
Will a non-fault accident affect my no-claims bonus?
- Renewal timing
- Claiming direct
- Premiums
A non-fault accident shouldn't permanently reduce your no-claims bonus, as long as the costs are recovered in full from the at-fault driver's insurer. But if you claim on your own policy and the money hasn't been recovered by your renewal date, your bonus can be reduced until it is. And even with your bonus intact, your premium may still rise.
Last reviewed October 2026
What is a no-claims bonus?
A no-claims bonus, sometimes called a no-claims discount, is a discount on your car insurance for each year you go without making a claim on your policy.
So what matters is the position on your renewal date.
When can a non-fault accident affect it?
The Financial Ombudsman Service explains that when you claim on your own policy for a non-fault accident, your no-claims bonus can be affected until your insurer recovers its costs from the other driver's insurer. Once the claim is settled in your favour and the costs are recovered, the reduction should be lifted.
- You claim on your own policy for a non-fault accident
- Your claim is still open at renewal, perhaps because the other insurer is disputing who was to blame
- Your insurer may reduce your bonus in the meantime
- It should be restored once the claim is resolved in your favour
How does claiming direct protect my no-claims bonus?
If you don't claim on your own policy for the repair at all, and instead claim directly from the at-fault driver's insurer, there's no outlay for your insurer to recover. That means there's nothing sitting against your policy at renewal.
Your insurer pays, then recovers
- Your insurer has an outlay to recover from the other driver's insurer
- If it hasn't been recovered by your renewal date, your bonus can be reduced until it is
Claim direct from the at-fault insurer
- No claim on your own policy for the repair
- No outlay for your insurer to recover
- Nothing sitting against your policy at renewal
You still need to tell your insurer about the accident, because most policies require it. Reporting an accident isn't the same as claiming on your policy. The Financial Ombudsman says your insurer should only treat it as a claim if the other driver, or someone else involved, makes a claim against you.
Can my premium go up even if my bonus is protected?
Yes. Your no-claims bonus and your premium are separate.
Your no-claims bonus
A discount for each year you go without making a claim on your policy.
Your premium
Insurers price your policy on many factors, and some treat any accident, even one that wasn't your fault, as a sign of higher risk. You'll need to declare the accident when you renew or get quotes.
What about a protected no-claims bonus?
Protected no-claims bonus is an add-on that stops the number of years on your bonus dropping after a claim, usually up to a set number of claims. It doesn't protect the price. Your premium may still increase after an accident, whether or not it was your fault.
What if the other driver was uninsured?
If the other driver was uninsured or drove off, recovering costs is harder. If you claim on your own policy and your insurer can't recover its outlay, the claim may affect your bonus. Some policies include an uninsured driver promise that protects your bonus in these cases, so check your policy documents.
Tips to protect your no-claims bonus after a non-fault accident
- Collect evidence at the scene so fault is easy to prove
- Report the accident to your insurer, but think before claiming on your policy
- Consider claiming directly from the at-fault driver's insurer
- If you do claim on your policy, ask your insurer how it will show at renewal
- Check your renewal notice, and query any reduction while a non-fault claim is still open
How Back on the Road UK can help
We handle non-fault claims directly with the at-fault driver's insurer, so there's no claim on your own policy for the repair and no excess to pay.
Call us free on 0800 820 3860 or send us your details online.
Frequently asked questions
Does a non-fault claim affect my no-claims bonus?
Not permanently, if your insurer recovers all its costs from the at-fault driver's insurer. It can be reduced while the claim is still open.
Will my insurance go up after a non-fault accident?
It might. Some insurers take any accident into account when pricing your policy, even if your no-claims bonus is unaffected.
Do I have to tell my insurer about a non-fault accident?
Usually, yes. Most policies require you to report all accidents, but reporting isn't the same as claiming.
Does a protected no-claims bonus stop my premium rising?
No. It protects the number of years of your bonus, not the price of your policy.
Back on the Road UK is a trading name of NJS Law Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 15170704. NJS Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 8006550. This guide gives general information for England and Wales only and does not constitute legal advice.