Document Actions
Uninsured motorists - not following the right procedure could leave you seriously out of pocket
Uninsured drivers cost every honest motorist £30 each as part of their insurance premium in a sucharge to fund the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), the industry-funded safety net to pay uninsured claims. But if you don't follow the correct procedures you could be much more seriously out of pocket.
Uninsured drivers are more likely to have accidents as they tend to be younger or poorer drivers or drive mechanically defective vehicles
The UK has one of the highest levels of uninsured driving in Europe, with more than one million uninsured vehicles on our roads. Last year the MIB handled more than 41,000 claims from victims of road accidents caused by untraced and uninsured drivers at a cost of more than £500m.
Young drivers, bad drivers and drivers of defective vehicles are much more likely to be uninsured for cost reasons so the chances of being hit by an uninsured driver are disproportionally high.
If you are hit by an uninsured driver and it's not your fault then you may be compensated by the Motor Insurers' Bureau. But even if they agree to make a payment, the first £300.00 is deducted in regard to any property-related claim. And if the MIB at first refuse to make a payment then it's good to know you have the evence and the legal muscle to stand up for you.
Lawcover helps you counter the threat of untraced drivers
It is very common for drivers who have caused accidents to provide false information about their name address and insurance details in the hope that they will never be found. Many people forget to obtain the registration number of the other party. Lawcover's free roadside insurance check logs the registration number into our system right at the accident scene and we will check that the other side is insured and obtain details of their insurer at the first possible opportunity
Until recently, no compensation was offered in these circumstances where no injury was suffered but there are important rules you must observe to make sure you are paid. Useful prompts at the roadside to ensure you follow the right procedures in gathering evidence;
-
You must identify the vehicle registration number of the responsible party.
-
take a photograph of their vehicle and plate as well as jotting it down.
-
make sure he other vehicle is insured.
-
If the other vehicle is not insured, report the incident to the Police within 5 days making sure that they provide (and you record) the police station, officer concerned and crime number.
Where the responsible motorist proves to be untraced, so long as the claim is made to the MIB within nine months of the accident and you have the correct vehicle registration number and can quote a police crime number, the MIB will pay your claim (less the first £300.00) if they are satisfied that you are not to blame.
See Get the evidence not the blame
