Car insurance for drivers with previous claims

What is a car insurance claim?

A car insurance claim is a request you make to your insurer to cover the cost of damage, loss or injury involving your vehicle. This could include accidents, theft, vandalism or other insured incidents.

Once a claim is made, your insurer will assess what happened, determine who was responsible and decide whether the costs are covered under your policy. This may involve repairs to your car, compensation for another party or replacing a written-off vehicle.

When it comes to accidents, insurers typically classify claims in two ways:

• Non-fault - where another driver was fully responsible and their insurer covers the costs
• At-fault - where you are wholly or partly responsible, or where fault cannot be proven

This classification can affect your no-claims discount and future premiums, depending on your policy terms.

What is an at-fault car insurance claim?

An at-fault car insurance claim is one where your insurer pays out and cannot recover its costs from another party. This doesn't necessarily mean you caused the accident - it simply means your insurer was unable to reclaim the money.

At-fault claims can increase your insurance premium by 50% or more at renewal. They can also affect your NCD, which may be stepped back - for example, from five years to three years - unless it is protected.

To help keep costs down after an at-fault claim, consider a black box policy, reduce your annual mileage, and compare quotes from different insurers at renewal.

What is a non-fault car insurance claim?

A non-fault car insurance claim is one where your insurer can recover its costs from the responsible party, usually the other driver's insurer. Although you weren't responsible for the incident, you'll still need to declare the accident when getting quotes or renewing your policy.

Non-fault claims generally have less impact on premiums than at-fault claims and shouldn't affect your NCD if your insurer successfully recovers its costs. However, some insurers may still charge more, as drivers who have been involved in accidents can be seen as a higher risk.

If your premium increases after a non-fault claim, shopping around at renewal and comparing quotes from multiple insurers can help you find a better deal.

How long will a claim affect my car insurance for?

Most insurers ask you to declare claims made in the last five years when getting a quote or renewing your policy. However, the period can vary between insurers, so it's worth checking when comparing quotes.

In general, the older a claim becomes, the less influence it is likely to have on your premium, provided you don't make additional claims.

At-fault claims typically have the biggest impact in the first two to three years. After that, their effect on your premium usually reduces, provided you don't make any further claims.

Non-fault claims generally have less impact but may still need to be declared for the same period, even if your insurer recovered its costs in full.

Do I need to tell my insurer about a previous claim?

If you don't tell your car insurer about a previous claim, even a non-fault one, you could invalidate your insurance. This is known as non-disclosure and can lead to serious consequences.

If a claim is not declared:

• Your policy could be cancelled
• Future claims may be rejected
• You may find it harder and more expensive to get insurance

Insurers can usually find undeclared claims through the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) database, which stores records of accidents and insurance claims. If they discover missing information, they may cancel your policy.

A cancelled policy is particularly serious because many insurers see it as high risk, which can limit your options and increase premiums in the future.

Deliberately leaving out information or providing false details when applying for insurance can also be treated as insurance fraud, so it’s important to always answer questions honestly and fully.

Learn more about how to check your insurance claims history.

Are vandalism claims treated differently?

Vandalism is the deliberate damage of a vehicle by another person and is classed as criminal damage under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. Common examples include scratched paintwork, broken windows and damage caused by keying.

To claim for vandalism, you'll generally need a comprehensive car insurance policy. If you only have third-party only insurance (TPO) or third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) cover, damage caused by vandalism is not usually covered.

Insurers typically treat vandalism claims as at-fault claims because they are often unable to recover their costs from the person responsible. As a result, a vandalism claim could increase your premium and affect your NCD unless it is protected.

To reduce the risk of vandalism, park in well-lit areas, use secure off-road parking where possible, and consider installing security devices such as alarms or dash cams.

Will a previous claim affect the cost of my car insurance?

Not necessarily. While insurers do consider your claims history when calculating your premium, a previous claim doesn't automatically mean you'll pay more.

The impact depends on factors such as whether the claim was your fault, how much it cost, how many claims you've made and how recently they occurred. Insurers will also look at other factors, including your age, location, driving experience and the car you drive.

One claim

A single claim won't always increase the cost of your insurance.

For example, if the claim was non-fault and your insurer recovered its costs from the other driver's insurer, the effect on your premium may be minimal. Similarly, if you have a protected no-claims discount (NCD), you may be able to make a claim without losing your discount entitlement.

Insurers assess risk in different ways, so some may place more emphasis on factors such as your age, postcode or vehicle than on a single previous claim.

This helps explain why there isn't always a direct link between making one claim and paying a higher premium. According to Uswitch data, drivers with one claim paid an average premium of £645, compared with £768 for drivers with no claims*.

Two or more claims

Multiple claims are more likely to affect the price of your insurance. Insurers may see a pattern of claims as an indication of increased risk, particularly if the claims were recent or involved significant costs.

As a result, drivers with two or more claims may face:

• Higher premiums
• Fewer insurers willing to offer cover
• More restrictions on policy options

According to Uswitch data, drivers with two claims paid an average premium of £768**.

* Based on Uswitch quote data for drivers with one claim. February- May 2026 ** Based on Uswitch quote data for drivers with two claims.February- May 2026