Should I declare an insurance claim on my motorbike when applying for car insurance?
I used to ride motorcycles. In 2007 I had a no fault accident where my bike was written off. My insurance paid out without quibble and my solicitor put in a claim for loss of equipment and clothing which was paid out by the other persons ins company.
As you know, when filling out questionaires on car insurance comparison sites, they always ask if you've had any accidents and claims in the last 5 years. With no intent to lie or deceive, something in the back of my tiny brain didn't associate a bike insurance with a car insurance, so I always answered no. It wasn't until well after 5 years had passed after the bike accident that it dawned on me that maybe I should have declared my bike accident/claim on car ins forms.
Sshould I have declared it ? Common sense now tells me that the answer is yes, but I need clarification so I can put this to bed as it bothers me that I didn't do the right thing for 5 years.
As you know, when filling out questionaires on car insurance comparison sites, they always ask if you've had any accidents and claims in the last 5 years. With no intent to lie or deceive, something in the back of my tiny brain didn't associate a bike insurance with a car insurance, so I always answered no. It wasn't until well after 5 years had passed after the bike accident that it dawned on me that maybe I should have declared my bike accident/claim on car ins forms.
Sshould I have declared it ? Common sense now tells me that the answer is yes, but I need clarification so I can put this to bed as it bothers me that I didn't do the right thing for 5 years.
Asked on 3 November 2025 by tommy 1
Answered by
Rhydian Jones
Generally insurers will ask about any motor accident or claim within the last five years so that your overall driving history can be assessed rather than limiting this to vehicle types. This means that you should have declared your claim - even if a no fault claim - within five years following the accident.
But, since your accident happened in 2007 and is well outside of the five-year period that insurers ask about, you would not need to declare it now. This is also no longer relevant to your current or future car insurance applications.
Should anything similar happen in the future, it’s important to be aware that all vehicle types are covered in this question. Insurers have access to claims history through industry databases, so it’s likely they’ll find out, even if you don’t declare it. And this could invalidate your policy. So always declare any incidents, whether fault or no fault, and if you’re unsure, speak to your insurer and they’ll be able to talk you through the information they need.
But, since your accident happened in 2007 and is well outside of the five-year period that insurers ask about, you would not need to declare it now. This is also no longer relevant to your current or future car insurance applications.
Should anything similar happen in the future, it’s important to be aware that all vehicle types are covered in this question. Insurers have access to claims history through industry databases, so it’s likely they’ll find out, even if you don’t declare it. And this could invalidate your policy. So always declare any incidents, whether fault or no fault, and if you’re unsure, speak to your insurer and they’ll be able to talk you through the information they need.
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