Insurance no-claims certificate

Insurance No Claims Certificate: What It Is and How To Get It In Nigeria in 2025

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One of the biggest culture shocks Nigerians and other Africans experience once they ‘japa’ to the West is the important role credit and insurance play in the economy. My ambitious friend Jay always wanted to drive a Mercedes-Benz Brabus long before leaving the country. Just months into his stay abroad, Jay called me excitedly on a sunny afternoon to share the good news. However, the drawback he faces is the high cost of insurance. Thus, he must fork out thousands in premiums. He was told the only way out is to present a no-claims certificate to be granted a bonus on his insurance premium. As his insurance plug, Jay called to seek my opinion. Even though he had a third party motor insurance for many years while in Nigeria, Jay did not bother to ask for an NCC certificate. Of course, like many other Nigerians, Jay had never heard of that term and would not even consider it serious anyway.

To summarize our eight-minute discussion, first, I asked him if he had insurance while in Nigeria. Second, I asked him how long he had held the policy. Finally, if he had made any claim in the past. Luckily, he was insured with Anchor Insurance for about six years. With my guide, he was able to get his NCC in a few hours by just chatting with their customer care. I am putting up this article for the many Jays out there.

What is a No-Claims Certificate

A no-claims certificate or NCC is a document issued by an insurance company to a policyholder, certifying that s/he made no claims throughout the coverage. Above all, it is a recommendation from one insurance company to another, assuring them that you are a good client based on their experience with you. It is the same way employers or colleges demand referees. You get it?

An NCC is often referred to as a “No Claims Bonus” or “No Claims Discount” certificate. It carries details such as your name, insurance product bought, and the number of consecutive years you held a policy without making a claim.

Why Insurance Companies ask for No-Claims Certificate

Insurance, as we know, is a business of risks. Consequently, insurers adopt several risk assessment tools to minimize their exposure. One of those tools is statistics and probability. While statistics may not always hold, it has proven to be somewhat reliable over the years. Insurers classify risks based on patterns. For example, a driver with a record of multiple accidents is often more likely to be involved in future accidents than a driver with a clean record. Would you blame an insurance company for charging the former more?

Insurance companies demand no-claims certificates to aid their risk assessment process. It is a much easier basis to profile a client. It is cheaper than many other tools. Having a ten-year no-claim history proves more than just how careful you are. Such a person is less likely to engage in insurance fraud.

Requirements for NCC

No-claims discount

An NCC is one of the rights of an insured. Everyone who has held a policy with an insurance company in Nigeria is entitled to a no-claims certificate. However, below are two requirements you must check to be qualified.

  1. Hold a valid policy in the past. You must have been a policyholder for at least one year. The more policies you held in the past, the better.
  2. Have a zero claim record in consecutive years.

How to Get a No-Claims Bonus Certificate

Getting an NCC is a straightforward process. First, reach out to your insurer, preferably via email. Your email should have your details and proof of insurance policy. You may attach your ID and policy document(s). You should get your certificate within 24 hours.

Can You Get an NCC If You Had No Policy in the Past?

This is one question I get asked quite often. The simple truth is no. The insurance industry in Nigeria is one of the most regulated industries in the country. Moreover, no company wants to risk its reputation.

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