[P] The Bonus-Malus system in Romania: how it works, how much you can save and why it matters more than ever in 2026
Almost half of the drivers who buy RCA online in Romania already have the maximum bonus — Class B8. Specifically, from the tens of thousands of RCA policies brokered by Pint.ro, the most reliable online insurance platform in Romania active since 2006, in the period June 2025 — June 2026, almost half of the drivers — 49.11% — were in Class B8. They pay 50% less than a driver with no history, in Class B0. It's the biggest discount possible in the Bonus-Malus system — and it's the result of years of accident-free driving.
For the other 51%—partial bonus, no history or malus drivers—understanding the Bonus-Malus system is the key to paying less. In a year where the average first RCA increased by 27%, the difference between Class B0 and Class B8 can mean thousands of lei per year — with the same driver, the same car, the same insurer.
What is the Bonus-Malus system and how does it work?
The Bonus-Malus system is the national mechanism by which insurers adjust the RCA premium based on each driver's claim history. It is regulated by ASF rules and applies uniformly to the entire market — regardless of the chosen insurer.
The system has 16 classes: eight bonus classes (B1–B8), one neutral class (B0), and eight malus classes (M1–M8). Each driver is placed in one of these classes, which are updated annually according to the evolution of claims files.
The essential rules
- One year without an accident due to your fault → you advance one class towards the bonus
- You cause an accident through your own fault → you go down several classes towards malus
- The class follows you regardless of the chosen insurer — it is registered nationally on the basis of CEDAM
- Changing the insurer does not reset the class and no one can reset it
- New drivers enter Class B0 — no bonus, no malus
How much you can save: B0 to B8 in real figures
The premium difference between Class B0 and Class B8 is 50% — the maximum bonus halves the premium compared to the starting class. With actual data from May 2026, here's what it actually means for the average driver:
Bonus-Malus impact on first RCA — May 2026, 12 months
| Bonus-Malus class | Estimated premium (Groupama) | Economy over B0 |
|---|---|---|
| B0 — no history | ~5,654 lei | — |
| B1 — 1 year without damage | ~5,090 lei | ~564 lei |
| B2 — 2 years without damage | ~4,750 lei | ~904 lei |
| B4 — 4 years without damage | ~4,240 lei | ~1,414 lei |
| B6 — 6 years without damage | ~3,390 lei | ~2,264 lei |
| B8 — maximum bonus | ~2,827 lei | ~2,827 lei (50%) |
A driver who goes from B0 to B8 in eight years of damage-free driving ends up paying half off the starting price. At a basic premium of 5,654 lei, the annual savings in Class B8 exceeds 2,800 lei. Multiplied over several years, we are talking about tens of thousands of lei saved over time.
The actual distribution of Romanian drivers by Bonus-Malus classes
The exclusive data from the analysis of tens of thousands of RCA policies brokered by Pint.ro between June 2025 and June 2026 offers a unique picture of the Romanian market:
Distribution of RCA policies by Bonus-Malus classes — June 2025–June 2026
| Class | No. POLICYHOLDERS | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| B8 — maximum bonus | 93,331 | 49.11% |
| B6 | 15,409 | 8.11% |
| B7 | 13,134 | 6.91% |
| B5 | 11,911 | 6.27% |
| B1 | 11,215 | 5.90% |
| B4 | 11,211 | 5.90% |
| B2 | 10,945 | 5.76% |
| B3 | 10,457 | 5.50% |
| B0 — no history | 10,162 | 5.35% |
| Malus (M1–M8) | 2,283 | 1.20% |
The conclusion is clear: the online insurance market is dominated by experienced drivers. Almost half of those who buy RCA online already have the maximum bonus. Malus classes represent only 1.20% of the total — a sign that drivers who are aware of the importance of comparison are also those with the best behavior behind the wheel.
What happens if you have an accident?
The Bonus-Malus system severely penalizes accidents caused by the driver's fault. A single accident can drop the driver several classes at once — which means years of recovery and hundreds of extra lei in premiums every year.
- A B6 driver who causes an accident can drop to B3 or below — losing years of discounts
- A driver in B8 who causes an accident loses the maximum bonus and receives a premium of tens of percent higher
- Full recovery from a severe malus can take 5–8 years of damage-free driving
That's why CASCO insurance — which covers your own damages without affecting the Bonus-Malus class under certain conditions — is an option to consider for high-bonus drivers who want to protect themselves.
Bonus-Malus and choice of insurer — the combination that maximizes savings
The Bonus-Malus system reduces the premium from each insurer's base price — but the base price differs significantly between companies. This means that a driver in B8 who does not compare offers can pay more than a driver in B6 who chooses the optimal insurer.
Data from May 2026 for a driver in Class B6 shows differences of over 950 lei between the most advantageous and the most expensive insurer. In Class B0, the same difference rises to close 10,000 lei — between 5,654 lei and 15,569 lei for a young driver from Bucharest.
The optimal strategy is therefore twofold: build your bonus class year after year and compare offers at each renewal. The two actions together can reduce the first RCA much more than either alone.
How to check your Bonus-Malus class
The Bonus-Malus class is registered nationally in the CEDAM database, administered by the Bureau of Motor Vehicle Insurers in Romania (BAAR). You can check it:
- Through the current insurer — when renewing, the class automatically appears in the offer
- Through Pint.ro — when entering personal and vehicle data, the Bonus-Malus class automatically appears in the offer, calculated in real time
- Directly on the BAAR website, with personal data
Checking the class before you buy is important — especially if you've changed cars, had a period without insurance, or aren't sure what class you're registered in.
Why 49% of online drivers are already at the maximum bonus
Going back to the data from the Pint.ro analysis — 49.11% in Class B8 is a significantly higher number than one might expect. The explanation is logical: drivers who compare online are generally more careful about car expenses and more responsible behind the wheel. They accumulated bonus years precisely because they did not cause accidents. And they understand the value of comparison — because otherwise they wouldn't be on a comparison platform.
The 10,162 drivers in Class B0 — 5.35% of the total — are at the opposite end of the spectrum. They pay the highest premiums and have the most to gain from comparing offers. For them, the difference between insurers can be thousands of lei — just like in the data presented in this article.
No matter which class you're in, the strategy is the same: compare before you buy. On Pint.ro, the most reliable online insurance platform in Romania active since 2006, you can see in real time the offers of all ASF authorized insurers for your exact profile — including your Bonus-Malus class — and choose the optimal option in a few minutes.
The data on the distribution of RCA policies by Bonus-Malus classes come from the analysis of tens of thousands of policies brokered by Pint.ro between June 2025 and June 2026. The estimated rates are indicative calculations based on the offers available in May 2026 for a driver profile with a 1,991 cc engine, registered in Bucharest. Individual prices vary depending on the driver's profile, vehicle, county of registration and chosen insurer.
