Claim-free years second car
Do you have two cars? Your accumulated claim-free years only count for your first car. With the second car scheme, you can use those claim-free years for your second car as well. Many insurers give you a discount on your second car if your first car is also insured there.
Car insurance? Calculate your premiumCarry over claim-free years to a second car
If you don't claim on your (first) car insurance policy, you build up claim-free years. The more claim-free years you have, the more discount you get on your premium. This discount can amount to 75% or even 85% of the basic premium.
The claim-free years you have accumulated belong to the car insurance of the first car. You cannot transfer or copy these claim-free years. This means you cannot use the claim-free years you already have for a second car. This is because they are already used for your first car.
Actually, you would have to start building claim-free years all over again. But insurers understand that this is not entirely fair because you have already shown that you have a good claims history. That's why the second car scheme exists so you can still get no-claims discount on your insurance.
The second car arrangement
Under the second car scheme, many insurers give a discount or lower premium if you insure a second car with the same insurer as your first car. Usually, you get the discount based on the number of claim-free years from your first car.
This means that you get a discount without having to accumulate claim-free years again for the second car. Usually there are conditions, such as that the first car insurance must be in the same name and both cars must be used in the same household.
Different types of second car schemes
Insurers have different rules for a second car.
1. Full second car arrangement
This is the most common and most favorable second car plan. With this car plan, you get the same no-claims discount for the second car insurance as for the first car.
If you get 80% no-claim discount for your first car insurance policy, you will also get 80% no-claim discount on the premium of your second car insurance policy.
2. Partial second car arrangement
Not all insurers offer a full settlement for a second car. With a partial settlement, you get extra discount on the premium of the second car. But this is not the full no-claims discount on your first car.
You can get 75% no-claims discount on your first car and only 50% discount on your second car.
3. Percentage of coverage
Some insurers offer a discount depending on coverage. For each coverage, you will then receive a specific percentage discount on your second car's premium.
For example, you get a 5% discount on the WA portion of your premium, 5% on the WA limited hull premium and 10% on the WA full hull premium.
Second car arrangement for your partner or child
Did you buy a car for your son or daughter? Usually you are not allowed to list children as regular drivers on second car insurance.
It applies to the regular driver of the first car. Many insurers also do not allow the second car to be in the name of another person such as a partner or child.
Damage to the second car
With a second car policy, the discount is carried over from the first car, but the policies are not linked to each. Thus, in the event of damage to one of the cars, the other car insurance will not be affected.
Insurers may have rules about how high the list value of the second car can be. As a result, luxury or expensive cars may not qualify.
Close the second car plan with the same insurer
Usually you must also insure the second car with the same insurer to take advantage of the second car scheme. Some insurers are sometimes willing to take into account claim-free years you have accrued with another insurer, but this does not happen very often.
Does your insurer not offer this arrangement? Then it is a good idea to switch to another car insurance. This can significantly reduce your monthly costs. Compare the terms and conditions of different insurers so that you get the most benefit.
Accrued claim-free years from second car on cancellation of insurance
When you stop insuring a second car, the claim-free years you have accumulated usually remain (but without the extra premium discount). These years are stored in a central system called Roy data. Insurers use this system to keep track of claim-free years.
You may take your claim-free years with you when you later take out a new car insurance policy, but there are rules for this. Often, claim-free years are valid for 3 years after you stop your insurance, but this depends on the insurer. If you don't take out a new car insurance policy within those 3 years, you may lose your claim-free years and the discount you have accumulated.
Therefore, it is important to get new insurance in time if you want to keep your second car's claim-free years. Also, claim-free years are personal and usually cannot be transferred to another family member.
Oldtimer as a second car
If your second car is a vintage car, it is often better to get a vintage car insurance purchase. This insurance is usually much cheaper than regular car insurance. However, there are special rules for using a vintage car.
For example, you may only drive a limited number of kilometers per year. Usually to a maximum of 5000 or 7500 kilometers depending on the insurer. In addition, the vintage car may not be used for daily transportation.
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Frequently asked questions about claim-free years for the second car
How do I build claim-free years with a second car?
You build up claim-free years per license plate and per insurance policy. This means that the second car only accrues claim-free years if it is insured in your name and you drive claim-free every year. Each claim-free trip earns you one claim-free year, provided no damage is claimed.
Are claim-free years shared between two cars in one name?
No, claim-free years cannot be shared across multiple cars. Insurers record the claim-free years per vehicle policy. If you have two cars insured in your name, then claim-free years are only accrued on the policy that is actually driven without damage.
Will I get a discount on my second car with no claim-free years?
Yes, many insurers offer a second car scheme where you also receive a no-claims discount on your second car, based on the claim-free years of your first car. This usually only applies if both cars are in the same person's name.
What happens to claim-free years when selling a second car?
When the second car is sold, the accumulated claim-free years are retained. Insurers usually register them with Roy Data and they usually remain valid for up to three years. After that, they expire if you don't use them again for insurance.
Can you transfer claim-free years from the main car to the second car?
In principle, no. Claim-free years can only be used on one policy at a time. However, you can take advantage of your main car's claim-free years for discount on the second policy through a second car policy, without officially transferring them.
Related pages about claim-free years
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