The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) estimates that every year, over one million uninsured vehicles are on the road. This costs up to £260 million for you and insurance companies to pick up the bill for. [1]
Uninsured driving isn’t just illegal, it’s dangerous and leaves countless people stranded when it comes to claiming for losses. Did you know, at least one person a day is so seriously injured by an uninsured driver that they require lifelong care? [2]
The MIB have decided to tackle this problem, with the aim of “Accelerating to Zero” – a nationwide commitment to end uninsured driving for good.
Why is driving uninsured so bad?
Uninsured drivers are also statistically more likely to speed, drive defective vehicles, and be involved in fatal collisions. Every hit-and-run or untraced incident leaves victims struggling to rebuild their lives, often without the immediate support they need.
And the scale of the problem is staggering. Since 2018, UK police have caught over 542,000 uninsured drivers [3].
Who Are The Motor Insurance Bureau?
The MIB is a UK organisation set up to protect people who are involved in accidents with uninsured or untraced drivers. If someone is hit by a driver who has no insurance or leaves the scene, the MIB steps in to make sure victims can still receive compensation.
The MIB is funded by all UK motor insurers, which means the cost is ultimately shared across insured drivers. Alongside providing compensation, the MIB also works with the government, police, and the insurance industry to help reduce uninsured driving and make the roads safer for everyone.
How to Tackle Uninsured Drivers: MIB’s Four-Pillar Strategy
MIB’s “Accelerating to Zero” strategy focuses on four areas:
- Prevention Over Reaction: Tackling the problem before it happens through education, awareness, and early intervention – not just enforcement.
- Compassionate Claims Support: Continuing to provide efficient, fair, and empathetic claims handling for victims of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers.
- Data-Driven Action: Using advanced analytics to predict and prevent uninsured driving, while improving fraud detection and customer service.
- Collaboration for Safer Roads: Working with insurers, police, and government to remove uninsured drivers and reduce the cost burden on honest motorists.
How Is Vavista Car Insurance Tackling Uninsured Drivers?
Vavista is fully behind with MIB’s mission. Here’s how we’re contributing:
- Raising Awareness: Through blogs like this, we’re helping drivers understand the risks and consequences of uninsured driving and how to avoid them.
- Supporting the MIB: While insurers fund the MIB directly, we as your broker support the campaign by educating and guiding drivers — helping reduce uninsured driving at the source.
- Protecting Honest Drivers: Uninsured drivers increase the risk and cost for everyone else. By tackling the issue, we help ensure that law-abiding, insured drivers aren’t unfairly penalised.
What You Can Do to Help?
- Check Your Insurance Status Regularly: especially if you’ve changed vehicles, moved house, or changed how you use your car. For example, if you now drive to work but don’t have commuting cover, your insurance may be invalid. Uninsured doesn’t just mean no insurance – it can also mean the wrong insurance. If you’re unsure, contact us to check your cover and make any necessary updates.
- Encourage Friends and Family: to stay insured and informed by directing them to this blog.
- Report uninsured driving: If you suspect someone is driving without insurance, you can report it to the police in two ways:
- Online through the police’s “Report a Crime” service, or directly via your local police force’s website.
- By phone on the non-emergency number 101.
The police can also check instantly if a car is insured using the Motor Insurance Database.
Why the Right Insurance Matters
Having insurance isn’t enough, it needs to be the right insurance. If you drive to work but only have social cover, or use your car for business without declaring it, you could be considered uninsured in the eyes of the law. This not only puts you at risk of fines and penalties but also means your insurer may not pay out if something goes wrong. Always check your policy details and contact us if you’re unsure.
What Are The Consequences for Uninsured Drivers?
Driving without insurance is a serious legal offence. Penalties can include:
- A fixed fine of £300 and 6 penalty points on their licence.
- Having the vehicle seized or destroyed.
- In more serious cases, an unlimited fine and a driving ban if the case goes to court.
Together, we can help MIB reach their goal of zero uninsured drivers—and make our roads safer for everyone.
If you enjoyed reading this, check out our blog – Top Tips to Master Driving | Vavista Car Insurance.
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