Your complete guide to claims, NCB impacts, disclosure rules, and premiums in Ireland 

Whether it’s a small bump or a major collision, a car insurance claim can leave you wondering what happens next — especially when it comes to your future premiums. At its4women, we know this can feel confusing, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know in one clear, easy-to-read guide. 

The Car Insurance Claims Information – What Is It and Does It Affect Your Price? 

When you apply for car insurance in Ireland, you are asked to declare any accidents, claims or incidents from the past five years. These details form part of your Statement of Fact, and insurers rely on the information you provide — along with any claims that occur during your time with them — when assessing risk and calculating your premium. 

Each insurer keeps a record of: 

• The claims you declare to them at the time of purchase or renewal 

• Any claims that occur while you are insured with them 

There is no single universal “claims record” held by insurers. Instead: 

• If you have had claims with different insurers, you may need to contact each insurer individually for full details. 

• Insurers who are members of Insurance Ireland may also check InsuranceLink, a shared industry database that records certain claims, including motor and personal injury claims. Not all insurers update InsuranceLink, and not all insurers consult it, but it can be used to help verify the information you provide. 

When pricing your policy, insurers may consider factors such as driver experience, vehicle type, and your declared claims history. Claims can affect how your premium is calculated, although some types of claims do not affect your No Claims Bonus — more on that shortly.

How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on Your Insurance Record? 

In Ireland, most insurers look back five years when rating your premium — even if your No Claims Bonus has grown again. 

Typical look-back periods in Ireland: 

• NCB history: 5 years (industry standard) 

• Claims history used for pricing: 5 years 

• InsuranceLink records: retained long-term (for fraud prevention, not pricing) 

The incident remains on the central InsuranceLink database for fraud-prevention purposes. 

 InsuranceLink— Who They Are and How It Works in Ireland 

In Ireland, InsuranceLink, a database managed by Insurance Ireland. 

What InsuranceLink does: 

• Stores all reported motor, home, and personal injury claims made in Ireland 

• Allows insurers to check a customer’s claims history 

• Helps detect duplicate, undeclared or fraudulent claims 

Your policy number is one of the key details insurers use to identify and process claims in InsuranceLink. 

Do insurers check it? 

Yes — insurers in Ireland may routinely check InsuranceLink when you: 

• Get a quote 

• Renew a policy 

• Make a claim 

This ensures accuracy and helps prevent non-disclosure. 

I Can’t Remember My Claims – How Do I Check My Claims History? 

Here are your options: 

1. Contact your current insurer (or broker)  They can provide your full claims history and NCB status. 

2. Request information from previous insurers. If you’ve switched insurers in the last 5 years, you may need to contact them. 

3. Submit a Data Access Request to InsuranceLink. You can request the data held against your name. 

How Much Will My Car Insurance Price Go Up After a Claim? 

There’s no standard increase — it depends on: 

• Type of claim 

• Claim cost 

• Who was at fault 

• Your age and driving experience 

• Number of historical claims 

• Whether you have Protected No Claims Bonus 

The amount you pay for your premium may rise depending on these factors. 

Typical outcomes include: 

• Not at fault: small to moderate increase 

• At fault: moderate to significant increase 

• Multiple claims: sharper increases 

• Protected NCB: NCB stays, but premium may still rise (as stated in Section 5B of your policy) 

Do Different Kinds of Claims Affect Your Price? 

Yes. Some claims are considered higher risk and impact your premium more. 

1. Accidental damage (fault claim) - Highest impact. 

2. Fire or theft 

3. Windscreen claims  - Do not affect your NCB (Section 3A) …but they may affect your premium slightly depending on frequency. 

4. Hit-and-run / uninsured driver - If settled under your damage section, this may affect NCB unless recovered. 

5. Non-fault claims - NCB may remain intact, but premiums can still increase. 

Third party fire and theft insurance is a popular option for many vehicles in Ireland. This type of policy covers your vehicle for theft and party fire (fire damage), providing protection beyond basic third party cover but at a lower cost than fully comprehensive insurance. 

Will a Claim Affect My No Claims Bonus? 

Let’s break down exactly what the its4women policy says. 

Your NCB WILL NOT be affected by: 

• Windscreen claims 

• One fire or theft claim 

• Emergency treatment fee payments 

• Payments later recovered from a third party 

• Personal belongings claims 

• Replacement locks claims 

  
  

Your NCB WILL be affected by: 

• Any fault claim 

• Non-fault claims where the insurer cannot recover costs 

• Multiple claims 

Step-Back NCB (if you don’t have Protected NCB) 

From Section 5A: 
If you have: 

• 1 year: drops to 0 

• 2 years: drops to 0 

• 3 years: drops to 1 

• 4 years: drops to 2 

• 5+ years: drops to 3 

Protected NCB (if you purchased it) 
You keep your NCB unless you make 3 or more claims in 5 years. 
Your premium may still increase even with protection. 

Do You Have to Declare Accidents on Your Car Insurance? 

Yes — always. Your policy states you must: 

• Answer all questions honestly and with reasonable care 

• Declare any claims or incidents (General Policy Conditions) 

• Notify the insurer immediately about any event that may give rise to a claim (page 2 claims section) 

You should also collect and provide information about the other driver involved in the accident, including their contact details, vehicle information, and any witness details. 

Failure to declare is treated as misrepresentation and can lead to: 

• Policy cancellation 

• Refusal of a claim 

• Reduction of a claim payout 

• Difficulty getting insurance in future 

• A note on InsuranceLink 

Do Insurance Companies Share Car Claims History? 

Yes. Irish insurers may share claim information through: 

✔ InsuranceLink  (Industry-wide database) 

✔ Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) - For uninsured/unknown driver claims. 

✔ Previous insurers - Who may be contacted to verify history. 

Can an Insurance Provider Find Out About Undeclared Claims? 

Yes — instantly. When you get a quote or make a claim, insurers check: 

• InsuranceLink 

• Your previous insurer 

• Your prior NCB documents 

• Your policy statements 

Failing to declare something is considered non-disclosure and can invalidate your cover. 

What Happens If You Don’t Report a Car Accident? 

Under your policy (General Conditions + Claims Process): You must inform the insurer immediately or as soon as reasonably possible of: 

• Any accident 

• Any event that may lead to a claim 

• Any claim made against you 

If required, you should contact emergency services at the scene and record details of all vehicles involved in the accident. 

If you do NOT report an accident: 

• Your claim may be refused 

• Your policy can be cancelled 

• You may have to repay the insurer if a third party is injured 

• Future insurers may decline cover 

Factors Affecting How Long a Claim Stays on Your Insurance Record 

When you make a car insurance claim, several factors determine how long that claim will remain on your insurance record and potentially influence your motor insurance premium and claims discount. While most claims typically stay on your record for up to five years, the exact duration can vary depending on your insurance company’s policies and the nature of the claim. 

The claims process begins as soon as you’re involved in an accident or incident. It’s important to notify your car insurance company as soon as possible, providing all relevant registration and insurance details, vehicle details, and, if applicable, witness details. Completing a claim form accurately and submitting all required documentation—such as your policy documents and contact details—ensures your claim is properly handled and helps avoid delays. 

The type of claim you make can also affect how long it impacts your record. For example, claims involving accidental damage, theft cover, or windscreen cover under comprehensive cover may be treated differently by your insurance provider. If your claim involves an uninsured driver, the motor insurers bureau may become involved to help process your claim and recover costs. In these cases, it’s especially important to provide full insurance details and a completed claim form to the claims team. 

If you’re an Irish motorist abroad or are involved in an accident in Northern Ireland, you may need to follow additional steps, such as arranging for breakdown assistance or emergency repairs. Your insurance policy will outline what’s covered and the process for making a claim in these situations. Be sure to keep your policy documents and vehicle prior history up to date, and inform your insurer of any existing claim or changes to your vehicle details. 

During the repair process, your insurance company may recommend approved repairers to carry out the necessary work. Depending on your policy, you might also be eligible for a courtesy car while repairs are underway. The claims team will assess repair costs and ensure that all work is completed according to your policy schedule. 

It’s also important to be aware that penalty points resulting from an accident where you are found at fault can further impact your motor insurance premium and claims discount. Keeping your driving record clean and promptly reporting any changes to your insurance provider can help minimise the long-term effects of a claim on your insurance record. 

By understanding the claims process and the various factors that influence how long a claim stays on your record, you can better manage your car insurance and ensure you’re fully covered when you need it most. Always keep your policy documents current and communicate any updates to your insurance company to help protect your cover and maintain the best possible premium. 

Summary 

Here’s your quick recap: 

1. Claims usually affect premiums for 3–5 years 

2. Irish insurers check InsuranceLink for all past claims 

3. You must declare accidents when getting a quote 

4. Some claims do not affect your NCB (windscreen, one fire/theft claim, emergency treatment fees) 

5. Protected NCB keeps your bonus but does not freeze your price 

6. Non-disclosure can lead to policy cancellation 

7. You must report accidents as soon as possible 

8. It pays to shop around and compare quotes before renewing your policy 

How Can You Reduce the Impact of a Car Insurance Claim? 

Here are practical steps to keep costs down: 

✔ 1. Consider Protected No Claims Bonus  - It prevents your NCB from dropping after one or two claims. 

✔ 2. Increase your voluntary excess - Only if you’re confident you can afford the excess. 

✔ 3. Choose an approved repairer  - As required under your policy (Section 1), this avoids additional cost. 

✔ 4. Keep a clean record going forward - The longer you go without a claim, the quicker your price improves. 

✔ 5. Drive safely and avoid penalty points - A clean licence helps offset rating increases. 

✔ 6. Shop around  - its4women specialises in providing competitive online car insurance. 

✔ 7. Ensure all parties involved are documented - The claims process may involve multiple parties, such as repairers or third parties. Make sure to document all parties involved to help streamline the settlement and avoid disputes.  Always display a valid insurance disc on your vehicle as proof of coverage. This is required by Irish law and helps you avoid complications if you need to make a claim. If you are involved in an accident with untraced drivers, contact the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland for assistance with your claim.