Motor No Claim Bonus query

My car insurance is up at the end of the month and I'm looking around for the best quote. My current insurer has given me a 'Proof of No Claims Bonus' which details 4 years which is the maximum under their scheme. It also details minor damage (€1k) I did claim for which was under their threshold as not affecting my No Claims Bonus.

When applying for new quotes
1) Do I say I have only 4 years No Claims Bonus even though I have several years of no claim over the threshold which affects the No Claims Bonus?
2) Does the accidental damage claim not get declared as a Claim and if it does why was I paying the premium for a 'Protected No Claim Bonus' ???

In answer to your questions:
1. Any new provider will give you NCB based solely upon the paperwork you provide.
2. The accidental damage does count as a claim and should be declared to a new potential provider. Protected NCB only really counts if you intend to stay with your current provider, that said, it is possible that as the amount is small and wasn't for personal injury or a fault accident, they may not penalise you overly much. Some online providers allow you to enter claims and still avail of the online discount.

ACA said:

In answer to your questions:
1. Any new provider will give you NCB based solely upon the paperwork you provide.
2. The accidental damage does count as a claim and should be declared to a new potential provider. Protected NCB only really counts if you intend to stay with your current provider, that said, it is possible that as the amount is small and wasn't for personal injury or a fault accident, they may not penalise you overly much. Some online providers allow you to enter claims and still avail of the online discount.

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Thank you. Anyone have any idea which online providers will allow me to enter claims and still avail of the online discount?

I'm a bit confused still whether I can claim to have a '4' year No Claims Bonus as thats what the documentation says I have. There's surely a conflict between that statement and the note below it about the accidental damage. I presume the NCB document ends up with any future insurer. In answer to an online question re how many years NCB do I have, I believe that 4 is the correct answer because thats what the NCB document says??? I don't intend any falsification of my application but I believe that's what I'm entitled to claim. Am I wrong?

Given the intricacy, it may be better to ring round instead of going online. Or maybe try the likes of [broken link removed] to give you a better idea.

Technically you DO have 4 years NCB as you paid to have it protected, so if you insured again with your current provider, then the accidental damage claim would be excluded. From what you say, it wasn't a large amount and given how competitive insurance is at present, it may well be overlooked.

As to which insurers allow you to enter a claim online when looking for a quote - I know Quinn do (I work for them), also 123.ie and FBD - Allianz and Aviva don't.

Hope this helps