Can you accrue claim-free years through parents?
If you have car insurance in your name, you automatically build up claim-free years. Claims-free years are years in which you do not claim any damages from your insurer. Having claim-free years therefore affects the premium of your car insurance. The more claim-free years you have, the more premium discount you get. But what about when you regularly drive a car, but the car insurance is not in your name? This is often the case with children. They regularly drive their parents' car, but the car insurance is not in their own name. In this situation you do not build up any claim-free years. As a result, you are not entitled to a discount when you take out your own car insurance. In this article on Alpina.nl we would like to tell you more.
Car insurance in parent's name
Taking out car insurance in parents' names seems financially attractive. In fact, young people between the ages of 18 and 25 pay a lot more premium for their car insurance than older drivers. This is because they see young drivers of that age as an increased risk. In fact, analysis shows that young drivers around that age are more likely to make claims than more experienced drivers. So that is why insurers charge a higher premium for car insurance. Another reason is that young people have no or fewer claim-free years. Therefore, they also get less premium discount. Still, it is not wise to take out car insurance in the name of your parents. There are a number of disadvantages to this.
Accruing claim-free years through parents is not possible
A major disadvantage of having car insurance in your parents' name is that you yourself do not accrue any claim-free years. Only the person in whose name the car insurance is registered builds up claim-free years. Today it is still not possible to transfer claim-free years to children, even if they are listed as regular drivers on the policy. There is a desire from several quarters to make claim-free years transferable to children, to help young drivers on their way. Anno 2021, however, this is not yet possible.
Car insurance without claim-free years
No claim-free years yet? Then that doesn't mean you won't get a discount on your car insurance. It differs per insurer 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 start without claim-free years on step 6 or 7, depending on your age. However, this can vary from one insurer to another. The amount of the premium discount can also differ per insurer. You can find the bonus malus ladder of your insurer in the policy conditions of the car insurance.
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.