bonusmalusjärjestelmä

The bonusmalusjärjestelmä, often translated as the bonus-malus system or no-claims discount system, is a pricing mechanism used primarily in the insurance industry, particularly for motor insurance. Its core principle is to reward drivers who have a history of accident-free driving with lower premiums, while increasing premiums for those who have made claims.

The system works by assigning a bonus or malus level to each policyholder based on their claims history over a specific period, typically one year. A driver who does not make a claim retains their current bonus level, which usually translates to a discount on their next insurance premium. If they make a claim, their level may be reduced to a malus level, resulting in a higher premium for the subsequent policy term.

The progression through the bonus-malus scales is predetermined. For example, a driver might start at a neutral level and move up the bonus scale for each claim-free year, accumulating progressively larger discounts. Conversely, a claim might move them down the scale, leading to a penalty. The exact number of levels and the percentage discounts or surcharges associated with each level vary significantly between insurance companies and countries.

The goal of the bonus-malus system is to create a direct financial incentive for safe driving behavior. By linking premiums to individual risk profiles, it aims to make insurance fairer and encourage policyholders to drive more cautiously to avoid increased costs. This system is a common feature in many European countries and is a fundamental aspect of how motor insurance premiums are calculated.