Getting in a car accident, no matter how big or small, can be a worrying and stressful time. From being concerned about everyone involved, through to thoughts about how much it might cost to get things fixed, it’s a head-spinning thing to endure.
Things can get even worse when you find out the other party doesn’t have insurance. Getting hit by an uninsured driver makes those initial worries soon grow, but there are things you can do.
When you get hit by an uninsured driver, you have the Motor Insurers’ Bureau or MIB to help you. Not only does the MIB help by meeting your claim, but they’ll also actively pursue the uninsured driver. This can give some respite to those affected, and in this blog, we’ll explain how you can claim and what you should do if an uninsured driver crashes into you.
Hit by an uninsured driver: Step by Step Solution
When you are hit by an uninsured driver, there are a few things you must do. In the immediate aftermath of a collision or accident, you won’t be aware of any insurance the other driver may hold. So, for the time being, treat it as if they do hold insurance. You’ll be able to tackle the lack of insurance a little later.
- First, check if everyone is ok and there is no danger to you, your passengers and anyone else near the vehicles.
- Ask the other party for the contact details and insurance information.
- Note the vehicle type, model, and registration.
- Take photos or videos of both vehicles and the scene of the accident.
- Get statements from witnesses along with their contact details.
- Inform the police and your insurance company.
If the accident resulted in an injury, you must report the incident to the police within 14 days; should there just be vehicle damage, you must report it within 5 days.
A failure to report it could see you fined, put in prison, or banned from driving.
What if I were hit by an uninsured driver who won’t share details with me?
It is likely that if a driver is uninsured, they will try and withhold sharing information with you. In some cases, they may even drive off if they can. This is where the power of the law truly sits on your side.
It’s an offence for either party to refuse the sharing of contact details when there are reasonable grounds for needing them. A car crash, no matter how small, certainly fits the criteria of reasonable grounds.
If you find them refusing, you can contact the police. With the number from their registration plate, they’ll be traced and potentially face larger penalties than if they had been insured.
Can I check if the other driver is insured?
You can, and whilst you are amid the shock of the accident, you can get a quick online search completed that will clarify whether you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver or one who is sufficiently covered.
The Motor Insurance Database can be accessed by your insurance company (often at no fee) on your behalf. They will just want the registration number. You can also do it without the assistance of your insurer, but this may come at a cost. The database search will then determine whether the other driver is insured or not. If they are, it’ll give you details of who their insurer is, the policy number and how you can claim. If they are not, it’ll inform you, and then you’ll have to pursue a different route to make a claim.
How do I report an uninsured driver?
If you have reason to believe the other driver is uninsured. Perhaps due to their reluctance to share details or their rapid fleeing from the scene, you must contact the police right away. You should also contact your insurance company just to keep them informed of the accident.
How can I claim on my insurance if hit by an uninsured driver?
In some cases, comprehensive policies will ensure you can make a claim. The only issue is that things can get a little more complicated. With no insurance provider for the other party, it becomes impossible for your provider to claim the money from another insurer.
If you only hold a third-party policy, you won’t have sufficient cover to claim from your insurer. Instead, you’d need to use the MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) we mentioned earlier.
The MIB is a non-profit organisation, set up to help compensate those involved in road accidents where the other party is either uninsured or untraceable.
Isn’t driving without insurance illegal?
Yes, it is. Therefore, the driver who hit you could find themselves penalised in more ways than they thought. Police will trace them using the MID and could issue a fixed penalty of around £300 as well as six points on the licence. Should it go to court, the driver could then be banned from driving and face a fine that currently has no maximum limit.
What should I do if I hit an uninsured driver?
Regardless of whether the other driver is insured or not, you must tell your insurance provider. Failing to tell them could see the claim made against you instead, which may result in you losing a no-claims bonus and having to pay more for insurance when you come to renew it.
What if an uninsured driver is hit by uninsured driver?
Where an uninsured driver is hit by another uninsured driver, you must still report the accident to the police. This could result in penalties, but being brutally honest, if you’ve broken the law, it’s only right that you pay the price!
You may both be able to claim via the MIB in instances like this. But the larger concern would be that both parties are driving uninsured.
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