Do I have to declare a non-fault claim?

Yes, if you are asked. Claims that were not your fault must still be declared honestly, as insurers may factor them into their pricing.

How long do claims affect my premium?

Insurers commonly ask about claims over the last few years, often five. The impact usually fades as the claim becomes less recent and you build claim-free years.

Will a windscreen claim count against me?

Glass-only claims often don't affect your no claims bonus and tend to have less impact on price, but you should still declare them when asked.

Claims

Can I get car insurance with previous claims?

Previous claims don't stop you getting car insurance, but they can affect the price. Learn how insurers look at past claims and what to declare.

Yes. Previous claims don't stop you getting cover, though they can affect the price. Insurers look at how recent each claim was, how serious it was and whether it was your fault.

What you need to declare

When you apply, the insurer will ask about claims over a set period, often the last five years. Declare every claim they ask about, including non-fault ones. Withholding them can invalidate your policy, and the insurer may refuse a claim or cancel your cover.

How past claims affect your quote

How much a claim affects your quote depends on:

Whether you were at fault
How recent the claim was
The cost and type of claim
How many claims you have had

Non-fault claims, such as being hit while parked, usually have less impact than fault claims. Your no claims bonus may also have been reduced by a fault claim, which can affect the price.

Why prices vary

Insurers assess claims history differently, so quotes can vary widely for the same driver. It can be worth getting more than one quote rather than accepting the first figure you are given.

If you have convictions as well

If your record also includes motoring convictions, you may need a specialist insurer. Our convicted driver insurance page explains how we can help with that.

About Kompare

Kompare doesn't currently offer quotes for standard car insurance. This guide is kept as general information.