A minor collision is never just that one claim: in the bonus-malus system, an at-fault claim also pushes your class down, which can mean a higher premium for years. The good news is that the system allows an exception – and for smaller claims, doing the sums sensibly can save you a lot.
- Only a claim paid out by the insurer triggers a class drop – a no-fault claim doesn't count.
- Under the rules in force, one claim typically means dropping two classes at the next renewal date; more claims mean more.
- The class drop can be avoided if the at-fault driver repays the insurer the full paid amount within the deadline set by the rules – typically 45 days.
The rule: a paid claim means a class drop
The system ties being at fault to payment: your class only worsens if the insurer pays out a claim against your policy. The drop takes effect at the next renewal date – under the rules in force, one claim typically means two classes, and more claims mean proportionately more. In the malus zone, the premium multipliers are noticeably higher already, and climbing back out is a matter of years.
Worth repeating: a claim you suffer through no fault of your own doesn't affect your class – see the article for injured parties on that.
The exception: repaying the claim
The rules in force allow for one important exception: your class doesn't worsen if the at-fault driver repays the full amount the insurer paid out, within the deadline set by the rules – 45 days from the insurer's written notice of the payout. In that case, the system treats it as if you'd settled the claim out of your own pocket.
This option typically pays off for smaller claims, where the amount to repay is less than the extra premium a worse class would add up to over the years. The insurer sends notice of the payout – that's the right moment to do the sums.
Doing the sums sensibly for a smaller claim
For a smaller collision, there are two paths: let the insurer pay the claim (and accept the class drop), or settle it out of your own pocket with the injured party or the insurer. The comparison needs three numbers: the size of the claim, the premium difference between your current and expected class over a few years, and your own liquidity. There's no general answer here – it's always an individual calculation, and I'm happy to help with it, with no obligation.
One thing you shouldn't do, though: hide the claim, or "settle" it informally at the scene – the article on what to do at the scene explains why.
After causing a claim: what's worth doing?
If the class drop has already happened, it's especially worth comparing offers at the next renewal date: insurers price the same class differently, so even with a worse class there can be a meaningful difference between offers. Your claims history isn't a shame, it's just data – the point is to get the full picture (premium, add-ons, service) back to its best again. Climbing back up is automatic: every claim-free year is another step up.
FAQ: What will my next insurer see of this?
Everything that matters – and that's how it should be. The paid claim goes into the central claims history register, your class changes under the rules, and when you switch, the new insurer works from that same register: your claims history can't be "left at home". That said, keep a sense of proportion: one claim isn't a brand, it's just data – insurers' pricing looks at the full picture, and climbing back up is automatic with every claim-free year. So what's worth doing after a claim is not to feel ashamed or try to work around it, but to review the whole market again at the next renewal date – insurers price a worse class differently, and that's exactly when a good comparison can be worth a lot.
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