If you’re planning on buying a used car or another vehicle, on the road any time soon, it’s important to know how to check if a car has insurance, as failure to have insurance could lead to penalties and fines if you are caught. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to check this. Read more in this article to learn the options for checking if a car is insured.
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How to check if a car is insured?
The easiest way to check if a car is insured is by using the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB). This is a national database that holds records of all insured vehicles in the UK.
Steps to check car insurance:
- Visit the MIB Website – Go to the official Motor Insurance Bureau website.
- Enter Your Registration Number – Provide your vehicle’s number plate or 3rd party’s reg number to search the database.
- Get Instant Results – The system will show a yes or no response to confirm if your car has an active insurance policy.
- Verify Vehicle Details – In some cases, it may also display your car’s make and model if your insurer has provided that information.
What documents do I need to check insurance online?
To check if a car is insured, visit the MIB webiste and enter the vehicle registration number. You don’t need any documents, just the number plate. The check will confirm if the car has valid insurance but won’t show policy details.
Check if car is Insured for free!
Important Warning!
Scammers have been pretending to be from the MIB, asking for bank details over the phone. The MIB never calls to ask for payment or personal financial details. If you receive a suspicious call, visit the MIB’s official help and advice page for support.
Check your car insurance status regularly to avoid fines and legal issues, ensuring your car is road-legal.
What if I find out my car is not insured?
Imagine you find out your car isn’t insured. In the UK, driving without insurance is a serious offence, so you’d need to get insurance straight away. Here’s what could happen if you’re caught driving without it:
- A fixed penalty of £300 and six points on your driving licence.
- The police could seize your car, and in some cases, it could even be destroyed.
- If the case goes to court, you might be disqualified from driving and face an unlimited fine.
And remember, even if the car itself has insurance, you still need to be covered.
For example:
- If it’s someone else’s car, you’d need to be listed as a named driver on their policy, or you could take out temporary insurance to drive it.
So, double-checking that you’re properly insured can help you avoid these serious penalties.
Tips: Tricks to renew cheap car insurance Read Guide now →
A car that I know is insured shows as uninsured – what should I do?
It’s more common than you think for a car to appear uninsured on the MIB even when it has a valid policy.
Steps to Take:
- Double-Check Your Entry – Ensure the vehicle registration number (VRM) is correct.
- Wait a Few Hours – The database updates frequently, but delays can happen.
- Contact askMID – If the issue persists, reach out to askMID support for assistance.
- Verify with Your Insurer – Sometimes, incorrect details from the insurer can cause this issue.
Additional Insurance for Commercial Vehicles
If you drive a commercial van, you may need specialist cover for Van Insurance. Providers like Zego offer flexible insurance designed for business and personal use, ensuring full protection.
Can I lawfully purchase an uninsured vehicle in the UK?
No. Not only is it illegal to drive an uninsured car, but it is also illegal to own one. If you do not have the appropriate insurance for your used vehicle, you can be fined, and your vehicle may be seized by police.
You are legally responsible for any vehicle you own. This means if your uninsured car is involved in an accident, you can be fined and your used car may be impounded. Driving an uninsured vehicle could also invalidate your motor insurance if you subsequently get insured on a different vehicle.
How can I find out with whom my car is insured?
If you’re unsure which insurance provider covers your car, you can check using the Motor Insurance Database (MIB) for free. This database records all insured vehicles in the UK, including those from overseas operating in Great Britain.
Ways to find your car insurance provider:
- Check the Motor Insurance Bureau – Submit a Data Subject Access Request to the MID. You’ll need to provide ID and proof of address, and in most cases, the information is free (some requests may have a small fee).
- Review Bank or Credit Card Statements – Look for recent payments made to an insurance company.
- Check Old Quotes – If you used a comparison site like Compare the Market, revisit your quotes to see if they refresh your memory.
How to find the best car insurance online?
To find the best car insurance for your car, just follow the below steps to compare quotes from multiple insurers and get the most suitable deal.
Steps to compare car insurance quotes:
- Use a car insurance comparison tool to check multiple quotes in one place. For example Quote Zone provides car insurance quotes from more than 120 insurance providers in the UK.
- Enter accurate details about your vehicle, driving history, and coverage needs.
- Check policy inclusions like breakdown cover, legal protection, or excess fees.
- Look for discounts on multi-car policies, no-claims bonuses, or annual payments.
- Read customer reviews to ensure the insurer is reliable and offers good service.
Is my car insurance valid without MOT?
In most cases, your car’s valid insurance policy will no longer be valid once your MOT expires. So, if you have an accident, your insurance company will not cover your van, and you will have to pay for any repairs yourself – or risk having your van written off.
Conclusion
Knowing if a car is insured is important for your safety and peace of mind. With this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge and tools to check if a car is insured in a quick and easy manner. When selling your car without insurance, the transfer of ownership may be prohibited.
This not only renders it illegal for the buyer to drive the uninsured vehicle but also makes the seller liable for any associated fines. Whether you’re considering purchasing a used vehicle or getting behind the wheel, make sure you know its insurance status to protect yourself from financial liabilities.
Frequently asked questions on car insurance
You can check your car’s insurance for free on askMID. A £10 fee applies if checking another vehicle’s status.
Contact your insurer right away to correct any errors. Wrong details can void your policy or claims. askMID cannot make updates.
No, the DVLA doesn’t offer free insurance checks. Use the Motor Insurance Database (askMID) to check your car’s insurance for free.
After a write-off, insurance ends once your provider takes ownership. Use askMID or MIB to check if cover remains before driving or scrapping the vehicle.
