One in five road traffic collisions are caused by uninsured drivers. If you’re unlucky enough to be hit by one, you’re probably wondering what to do next.
You can check if a car is insured by calling your insurance provider or using the Motor Insurance Database’s (MID) askMID online service.
Enquiries can be submitted for £10 (correct as of August 2022) to find out a car’s:
policy number
name of insurer
claims contact details.
You’ll need to provide your registration plate details and those for the other car. The service is only intended for use in the event of an accident.
What to do after an accident with an uninsured driver
First collect as much information as possible.
Make a note of the time and date of the incident and take down the other car’s make, model and registration number. Any other details that help identify the car, such as its colour or visible modifications, could also be helpful.
Taking photos or videos of the scene may also help with your claim. Look around for any witnesses to ask if you can take their names and contact details to get their account of the accident.
Any accident that causes damage or injury provides ‘reasonable grounds’ to ask a driver for their name, address and contact details. If a driver refuses to give their information you’ll need to tell the police. All accidents involving an uninsured driver should be reported to the police anyway.
Your insurance provider should also be informed about an incident, even if you’re not planning to make a claim.
Should I report the accident to the police?
Yes. The Road Traffic Act (1998) says that motorists should report any accidents to the police where people, property or animals are damaged or injured.2 The definition of damage or injury can vary between motorists so it’s always best to report incidents, no matter how small. You’ll need to call within 24 hours with information about the date and time of the accident and the other vehicle’s details. It’s an offence for drivers not to share their contact details when there are ‘reasonable grounds’ i.e. damage to your vehicle, to request them.
Can I claim against an uninsured driver?
Yes, you can if you have fully comprehensive car insurance. The claims process will be trickier though as your provider won’t be able to recover costs from the other side. ‘Third party’ or ‘third party fire and theft’ policy holders won’t be able to make a claim but can apply for compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). https://www.mib.org.uk/making-a-claim/what-we-do/
Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB)
What they do:
MIB is here to help people involved in road accidents where the normal routes to compensation might not exist or might be difficult to trace. They will consider claims for vehicle and property damage as well as injury where compensation cannot be claimed from another source such as an insurance company.(1)
Claims arising from accidents on private land which occurred on or after 27/04/22 (Northern Ireland) or 28/06/22 (England, Scotland and Wales) are excluded
The main groups of people they are able to help:
Victims of uninsured drivers
Victims of untraced drivers, usually referred to as hit and run accidents
UK residents involved in accidents with foreign-registered vehicles, either in the UK or elsewhere in Europe
The Uninsured Drivers' Agreements and The Untraced Drivers' Agreements
MIB's obligation is to handle claims in accordance with The Uninsured Drivers' Agreements and The Untraced Drivers' Agreements produced in collaboration between MIB and the Government. MIB is restricted to paying compensation in circumstances where compulsory motor insurance should have been in place.
In summary this means MIB can pay compensation for property damage, death or injury arising from the use of a motor vehicle on a road or a public place in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Reducing uninsured driving
MIB is at the heart of the fight against uninsured driving. This is a problem that seriously affects the lives of those involved in road accidents and costs millions of pounds every year
It’s a serious problem (2)
Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed by uninsured drivers and without the correct insurance their compensation comes from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. This bill is paid for through the insurance premiums of all law abiding motorists.
Evidence suggests that uninsured vehicles are consistently used to conduct wider criminal activity, and are more likely to be involved in a collision, so by targeting uninsured drivers we can help deter criminal activity and remove their means of transport and make our roads safer.
Working in partnership with insurers, Police and DVLA, the level of uninsured driving has dropped by some 50% in the last 10 years. This has economic and social benefits - the honest motorist carries less of the cost burden through motor premiums and our roads are safer.
What conditions do I need to meet to make a claim?
You can make a claim against an uninsured driver if:
You have fully comprehensive cover
You’ve gathered all the necessary details, and
You have evidence to explain what happened e.g. dashcam footage, witness accounts etc.
The accident was my fault - what should I do?
It’s always best to tell your insurer about any accidents in your car, even when you’re the driver at fault, or you’re not planning to make a claim. You might lose your no claims bonus unless it’s protected and can expect to pay a higher premium when it comes to renewal. You can also expect to pay the excess on repairs too.
What if the other driver can't be traced?
If you’ve been in an accident with a driver and they’ve left the scene without sharing their details, your next move depends on your insurance cover.
I have fully comprehensive insurance
You can still make a claim with your insurance company, but you’ll need to gather as much information as you can to prove that you weren’t to blame.
I don’t have fully comprehensive insurance The MIB offer compensation for claims against untraced drivers. You can submit an application using their online form, providing as much information as possible to support your claim.
Where should I look for evidence to support a claim against an untraced driver? It’s important that you remain calm and gather as much information as you can and as soon possible.
We recommend trying the following:
Witnesses
CCTV
Dashcam
Take photos
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