How do I check if my car is insured?

Key takeaways

• You are legally required to have car insurance in the UK, even if your car is parked.

• Keeping your car continuously insured can help you avoid penalties and potentially get better deals on car insurance in the future.

• You will not have to pay for car insurance if you have officially declared your car to be off the road via a SORN

Understanding car insurance can be tricky, especially when you're unsure about the status of your policy. Whether your policy has lapsed or you're in the process of selling your vehicle, it's crucial to know how to check your car insurance.

Legal requirements for car insurance

All cars must be insured with at least third-party cover; if you’re a car owner, this is your legal responsibility. Car insurance policies usually last for 12 months and your car must have insurance, even if it’s not being used, unless your car has been declared off the road.

Failing to adhere to these requirements can result in significant fines and other legal consequences.

How can I check my car insurance?

It’s quick and easy to find out if your car is insured – simply use the free Motor Insurance Database (MID) to check if your vehicle is on the list and enter your registration number and declare you are authorised to drive the car.

The MID is the UK’s central record of motor insurance, holding information on every car on the road, and it’s also used by the police to identify uninsured vehicles. If you are not using your car and you don’t want to pay for insurance, you need to officially declare the vehicle ‘off the road’ via a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN), or you could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Find out more information on how to check you car insurance expiry date here.

How do I find out who my car is insured with?

If you're struggling to remember who your insurance provider is, start by checking your emails, credit card, or bank statements for any records of payment to an insurance company. This will usually be a one-off annual sum or a monthly amount.

Once you've identified the provider, you can contact them directly to retrieve your policy information. It's not uncommon to forget the name of your insurance provider or the renewal date of your policy, but remember, you'll need your policy number before you can purchase a new policy.

What are the penalties if I see that my car is uninsured when I check my insurance?

If you find that your car is uninsured, you may face serious repercussions. The Motor Insurers Bureau will send an Insurance Advisory letter if a car is kept without insurance.

If this is ignored, you’ll receive a fixed penalty notice of £100. You may also be at risk of prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000, and your car could even be seized and destroyed for not having impounded car insurance.

What is continuous insurance enforcement?

Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) was introduced in 2011 to clamp down on uninsured drivers. The MID and the DVLA collaborate to identify vehicles that are uninsured. Before this, only uninsured drivers using their cars on the road were breaking the law. Now, CIE means that even stationary vehicles must be insured unless they have been declared off the road.

Are there any exemptions?

There are a few exemptions to the insurance requirement. You will not have to pay for car insurance if you have officially declared your car to be off the road via a SORN informing the DVLA. When you do this, you’ll automatically receive a refund of your road tax for any full remaining calendar months that will go unused.

Other exemptions include stolen cars, scrapped cars, or cars that are in the process of changing owners or are registered as ‘in trade’ with the DVLA.

Will I be penalised if I’m the registered keeper but not the main driver?

As the registered keeper of a vehicle, you will not face any penalties for not being the main driver, as long as the insurance details are correctly set up. It's important to inform your insurer of the arrangement. Be aware that some insurers may require the policyholder to be the registered keeper, which could make finding insurance more challenging.

How can I avoid a penalty?

To steer clear of penalties, make sure your car is insured, notify the DVLA of any changes in vehicle ownership, or declare the vehicle off the road with a SORN. These steps will ensure you're compliant with the law and avoid any fines or legal issues.

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

While car insurance is a necessary expense, there are several strategies to help reduce the cost:

How do I check if my car is taxed and has an MOT?

While you’re checking your car insurance, it’s also important to see if your car is taxed and has a valid MOT. You can check if a car has an MOT on this government website and to see if it’s been taxed you can use the government vehicle tax tool. You’ll just need to enter your registration number and you will be shown all the relevant details about your car.

Compare car insurance quotes

Save money by shopping around and comparing policies on MoneySuperMarket to make sure you’re getting the best-suited car insurance deal for your circumstances. Just pop in a few details about yourself and your car and we’ll put together quotes to match your requirements.

By following the guidance provided in this article, you can ensure that your vehicle is properly insured and avoid any legal pitfalls. Remember, staying informed and proactive about your car insurance can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.