No Claims Bonus

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Sun 24 Aug 2008 16:10
No Claims Bonus - Jane
Hi!

I've spent the last 2 years in Australia and have 1 more year to go. In this time I have not owned a car. I was previously insured with Direct Line and, as long as I re-insure with them I will keep my 12 years no claims that i had accumulated as they 'hold' your no claims for 3 years.

The problem is that the 3 years runs out in March 2009. I won't be back in the country and the owner of a car again (can't wait!) until August 2009. As far as I can see I have 3 options:

1) Lose the no claims bonus.
2) Get dad to organise the purchase and insurance of a car on my behalf before the 3 years is up and have it sitting in my parents driveway (with a SORN?) for 5 months before i come home and start using it.
3) Buy a complete bomb, insure that and have it sitting in my parents driveway (with a SORN?) for 5 months . When I get home, sell the bomb and buy a decent car.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? What difference does 12 years no claims make when insuring a car...do you get much money off your insurance?

All suggestions/advice greatly received!

Cheers!
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Sun 24 Aug 2008 16:31
No Claims Bonus - Bill Payer
I wouldn't worry about it to be honest, and I certainly can't imagine it's worth obtaining and insuring a car just to keep your NCB running.

Most companies will give a substantial discount for first time insurered who aren't very young anyway, especially if you have proof of your previous record with DirectLine.

Is your Dad insured with DirectLine, by any chance? I seem to recall that they allow named drivers to build up NCB, so if he's left you on his policy (or even with another company) then that might help?

Edited by Bill Payer on 24/08/2008 at 16:34

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Sun 24 Aug 2008 16:41
No Claims Bonus - gordonbennet
I'd disagree BP, depends what sort of car Jane is likely to buy upon her return (though why anyone should want to return here by choice is quite beyond me..;).

If dad should pick up a el cheapo group 1 or 2 car in the depths of winter, insure as low cover with DL as they will accept, maybe with him as named driver so as he could use the car for a couple of times to make it straight.

I'm thinking something like a £150 car with £100 insurance, and even if the cars scrapped it'll still probably net £80.

If the OP gets a higher group car on her return the first year savings alone could well be break even, and the subsequent years a bonus, plus of course being able to have a protected policy from day one.

Jane, have you contacted DL to explain the position and see if they will extend your no claims guarantee for an extra year, without having to go through this performance?

Edit..i wouldn't want to lose that no claims history...

Edited by gordonbennet on 24/08/2008 at 16:42

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Sun 24 Aug 2008 16:55
No Claims Bonus - martint123
I'd certainly phone them up to ask (much better than email) they aren't a bad outfit and may bend the rules slightly to keep an old customer.

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Sun 24 Aug 2008 17:13
No Claims Bonus - Bill Payer
I'd disagree BP depends what sort of car Jane is likely to buy upon her
return


Of course there are a few variables, but my 21yr old daughter got 50% discount on her first insurance from several comapnies and ended up paying £500 for her new Colt.

With 12 yrs NCB the OP is obviously a little over 21 :-) so on any reasonable car, in a reasonable area, the insurance should be relatively trivial compared to the hassle and cost of finding, insuring, storing and then disposing of a vehicle.

Who knows what the next 12mths will bring - Jane might decide to stay in Oz!

Edited by Bill Payer on 24/08/2008 at 17:17

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