Uninsured driver promise

Key takeaways

• If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you can claim on your fully comprehensive car insurance policy, or through the MIB if you weren’t at fault

• Some policies include an uninsured driver promise, which protects your no claims discount and waives your excess fee when you claim

• Use the Motor Insurance Database to check if the other driver is insured, or talk to your insurance provider

What is an uninsured driver promise?

An uninsured driver promise is a clause many car insurance providers include in their policies that mean your no-claims bonus is protected from claims resulting from uninsured drivers. Some will also waive your excess payment if the accident isn’t your fault.

While these mean you don’t lose any money as a result of the accident, unfortunately your premiums are still likely to rise upon renewal. Not all insurers offer this, however, so be sure to check when you take out cover.

What happens if I’m hit by an uninsured driver

If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you’ll need to gather evidence of what happened after the accident, such as photographs and videos of the scene and any damage or injuries. Make a note of the time and date it happened, and take down the other car’s registration number as well as details about the car’s appearance, colour, and if possible any identifying features.

You should also try to get the details of the other driver - including their name, address and contact information. If they refuse, or if they admit - or if you suspect - that they are uninsured, call 101 to report the incident to the police. Let your insurer know as soon as possible too.

What if it’s a hit and run?

If the other driver leaves the scene without giving you their details, you must call 101 from the scene of the accident to report it to the police. You will also have to tell your insurer as soon as possible too.

How do I know if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?

If you have an accident, you can instantly check and confirm the insurance details of the other parties involved using the askMID service on your smartphone. There’s a small charge to use this service.

If the other vehicle is on the database, you’ll be able to see the insurance details, so you can check that they match with what you’ve been provided and use them when making your claim. If there are no details, then the driver is probably uninsured.

You could also ring your insurance provider from the roadside, and they should be able to check if the other driver is insured for you.

Will I get compensation?

If you’re not at fault and you have insurance, you can claim compensation from the Motor Insurance Bureau, regardless of the level of cover you have.

Can I claim if I’m hit by an uninsured driver?

If you have a fully comprehensive car insurance policy, you can make a claim through your insurance provider. Be aware that if the driver is uninsured this will likely take a lot longer than a standard claim.

If you only have third-party, or third-party, fire and theft cover, you won’t be able to make a claim through your insurance provider. The MIB may be able to offer you compensation though but this process is often very slow.

Can an uninsured driver claim on my car insurance?

Yes, if the accident is your fault then an uninsured driver can make a claim on your insurance policy. Your provider will pay for the uninsured vehicle to be repaired - however they’ll still be fined and have points added to their licence, and their vehicle may even be seized.

If you have fully comprehensive insurance then your provider will cover your own repairs too, but if not then you’ll need to pay for it yourself.

What if the accident is my fault?

If it is your fault, then you will be expected to pay for repair costs to both your car and theirs, even if they are uninsured. Your third-party insurance should cover the repairs to the other person’s vehicle, but not your own. So, unless you have comprehensive cover, you will have to fork out to repair your car.

However, they can still be prosecuted for not having legal insurance and the police have the power to seize their vehicle.

What if the other driver can’t be found?

If the other driver can’t be found, you can still make a claim if you have fully comprehensive insurance, but if not you’ll need to go through the Motor Insurance Bureau. You’ll be able to submit an application online, and you’ll need to provide as much evident as possible to back up your claim – this can include:

• Witnesses

• Camera footage, from a CCTV or dashcam

• Photos you’ve taken of the damage – debris belonging to another car, or tyre marks on the road can all help

Driving without insurance

As well as being liable for the cost of an accident and any costs associated to the resulting claim. You could also:

• Get a Fixed Penalty of £300

• Have your vehicle seized

• Face a court prosecution, with the possibility of an unlimited fine and being disqualified from driving

• Incur a £150 fee to release your car and have the correct insurance in place to get it back

• Be subject to a higher insurance premium if caught driving uninsured

• Have 6 penalty points added to your license

Compare car insurance quotes

Comparing car insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover. All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself, the car you’re insuring and your driving history, and we’ll put together a list of quotes tailored to your needs.

You can then check which policies offer you the right level of cover to protect against the costs of uninsured driver incidents.