Does Protecting Your Bonus Actually Stop Your Premium Going Up?

You’ve built it up over years. Maybe five. Maybe ten. That stack of claim-free driving that feels like your reward for being careful; your no claims bonus. So when renewal comes around and the option appears to “protect” it, your brain hesitates. Is it insurance for your insurance? And more importantly; is it really worth the cost?

The answer isn’t always clear-cut. It depends on how you drive, what you drive, and how much you value predictability over price.

What Is No Claims Bonus Protection, Really?

It’s not what most drivers assume. Protecting your no claims bonus doesn’t mean your premium stays the same after a claim. It means the discount you’ve earned; the percentage off your quote; isn’t taken away after a fault claim.

  • You’re still allowed to make a claim; usually one per year or two in three years
  • The discount percentage on your policy remains untouched
  • The base premium itself might still rise; because the claim still happened

In short: your record looks better to insurers than if the bonus had been wiped. But it doesn’t make you invisible to price increases.

When Might It Be Worth It?

This one depends on how risk-averse you are; and how valuable your discount has become.

  • You’ve built up 5+ years of bonus; that discount might be 60% or more
  • You rely on predictable costs; a single claim without protection might sting at renewal
  • You drive frequently; more time on the road means more chance of something going wrong
  • You park in higher-risk areas; even careful drivers face theft or third-party damage

Protecting that cushion might feel reassuring; especially if you’ve worked years to build it.

When It Might Not Be Worth It

Sometimes, the maths just doesn’t work out. If your quote’s already low and the protection cost is high, you might end up paying more than you'd ever lose.

  • Your bonus is only 1–2 years; not much to lose, and it builds back up quickly
  • You rarely drive; less exposure = lower risk
  • Your car’s low value; a claim might not be worth it either way
  • You’d likely pay for minor repairs yourself; to avoid claiming in the first place

In these situations, you might find peace of mind elsewhere; without paying for cover you may never rely on.

Things to Know Before You Say Yes or No

  • Each insurer treats it differently; some allow more claims than others before your bonus is affected
  • It doesn’t freeze your premium; it protects the discount, not the cost
  • It often applies to fault claims; non-fault claims typically don’t affect your bonus anyway
  • It’s not automatic; you need to request or tick the option during renewal or purchase

Always read the fine print. That little checkbox might mean different things across different insurers; and it’s rarely explained in plain language.

So… Is It Worth It?

That depends on what matters more to you: saving a few pounds now, or protecting your track record in the long run.

For some, it’s a no-brainer; the thought of losing a decade of no claims discount after one unlucky moment is too much to bear. For others, it’s just another upsell on an already expensive policy.

But if you’ve ever stood next to your car, heart sinking after a bump you didn’t expect… then you’ll know exactly how valuable a bit of stability might feel.