Car insurance gap - protected no claims

[whitebunnies]

A family member has not had a car insurance policy for 2 years and a few days as they SORN the car because of the lockdown. Insurers are saying you lose protected no claims if you have not had a policy for 2 years. Some insurers say you can have up to a 3 year gap of not having an insurance policy and still have no claims protected. Does anyone know any insurers who will allow a gap of just over 2 years and not lose the protected no claims please?

My understanding was that you can only hold your NCD for 2 years if you don't have insurance.
If you know some say you can have it for 3 years, then is there a reason you aren't speaking to those you know about ?