Guide
Will My Insurance Go Up If I Claim?
It is the question that stops a lot of people claiming what they are owed. This guide takes an honest look at how a non-fault claim can affect your insurance, and what does not change.
Last reviewed: Reviewed by the Auto Crash Claims editorial team
Fault and non-fault matter
The biggest factor is whether the accident was your fault. A claim where you were clearly not to blame is treated very differently from one where you were. Being honest, insurers do look at your overall claims history, but a genuine non-fault claim is far less likely to affect you than a fault one, and the difference between the two is significant.
Why premiums can still move
It would be misleading to promise your premium will not change at all. Insurers price on risk, and simply having been in an accident, even one that was not your fault, is something they may factor in. The key point is that this is usually a much smaller effect for a non-fault claim, and it should not be a reason to walk away from money you are genuinely owed.
Your no-claims discount
Your no-claims discount reflects years without a fault claim. A properly handled non-fault claim, where the costs are recovered from the driver who caused the accident, should not reduce your no-claims discount in the way a fault claim can. If you have protected no-claims, that offers further cover, so ask your insurer how yours works.
The cost of not claiming
It is worth weighing the whole picture. Not claiming does not undo the accident, and you are still left with the injury, the repair and the disruption, just without any compensation for them. For most people, the real cost of staying quiet about a non-fault accident is larger than any modest effect on a premium.
This worry is completely understandable, because nobody wants to be punished for someone else’s mistake. The fear is often bigger than the reality for a non-fault claim, and it is worth knowing the facts before you decide to let it go.
Key takeaways
- Non-fault claims affect you far less than fault claims
- Any premium change is usually much smaller for a non-fault claim
- A properly handled non-fault claim should not cut your no-claims discount like a fault claim can
- Not claiming still leaves you with the costs, just without compensation
Frequently asked questions
Will a non-fault claim definitely raise my premium?
Not necessarily, and any effect is usually much smaller than for a fault claim. Insurers price on risk and may note that you were in an accident, but a genuine non-fault claim is treated very differently from one where you were to blame.
Will I lose my no-claims discount?
A properly handled non-fault claim, where costs are recovered from the at-fault driver, should not reduce your no-claims discount the way a fault claim can. If your no-claims is protected, that adds further cover, so check the terms with your insurer.
So is it still worth claiming?
For most people, yes. Not claiming does not remove the injury, the repair bill or the disruption. It just means going without compensation for them. A free check tells you what you could be owed, with no obligation.
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