When do claim-free years expire?
Claim-free years are locked into a car insurance policy. Once the insurance is terminated, the claim-free years are released. From then on, you can use them for a new insurance policy. However, claim-free years are not valid indefinitely. After an insurance policy is terminated, claim-free years are valid for 3 years with most insurers. Within those three years, you must take out another insurance policy in which you can use them, otherwise the claim-free years will expire. Once the claim-free years have expired, you can no longer use them and you have to start building up again. This affects your car insurance premium.
After how many years do claim-free years expire?
Claim-free years expire with most insurers after 3 years. This differs per insurer. With some insurers they expire after 2 years and with others after 4 or even 5 years. In the policy conditions of your car insurance you can check how your insurer handles this. If you do not use the claim-free years for a new insurance policy within the specified period, they expire. A pity, because if at some point you do take out another car insurance policy in your name, you will have to start building up all over again.
Claim-free years expired: now what?
When your claim-free years have expired, you start to rebuild again. However, this takes time. For every year that you do not claim a damage claim with the insurer, you get one claim-free year. However, if you claim a damage, you immediately lose 5 claim-free years. So after a relapse, it takes 5 years before you are back to the same number of years. Are you rebuilding but have a claim? Then it is wise to first look at the consequences of claiming the damage. Because you immediately lose 5 claim-free years, the premium goes up substantially again. If the damage is relatively small and the repair costs not too high, you can consider paying for the damage yourself instead of claiming. You will then retain your claim-free years and no-claim discount.
Getting car insurance without claim-free years
Even if your claim-free years have expired, you can take out car insurance. It can differ from one insurer to another on which step of the bonus malus ladder you start. If you have no claim-free years, insurers often look at your age to classify you on the ladder. With many insurers you will start on step 6 or 7, depending on your age. This can vary from insurer to insurer, so always check the bonus malus ladder of your insurer in the policy conditions.
Claim-free years transferable since 1-1-2022
Since Jan. 1, 2022, claim-free years are transferable in some situations. Upon death, for example, they can be transferred to the surviving partner. Also for lease drivers and drivers who have lived abroad for years, it is now possible to transfer claim-free years. This way they do not lose their accumulated claim-free years. You can read more about this new regulation in our blog post.
Related pages about claim-free years
Never underinsured
Put together your own package
A wide range
We compare all insurers for you, saves time again
Help from our experts
Can't figure it out? Our experts are always ready to help you
We can be reached via chat, WhatsApp, phone or email
Questions? Contact us if you want to know more.
We are here Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00.