Check If Car Is Insured
4 minutes

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.

How to check if a car is insured?

There are several ways to check if a car is insured, including:

  1. Online car insurance check. (Before buying a used car)
  2. The Motor Insurance Database (MID)
  3. Direct Contact with the Insurance Company

You can check this against the national Motor Insurance Database (askMID) for free. This is a national register of all of the cars insured in the UK and is available to all registered insurance companies as well as other authorities such as the police and DVLA.  If you want to find out if someone else’s vehicle is insured, you simply enter their used vehicle registration number and postcode on askMID’s homepage when buying a used car.

What do I need to check if a car is insured?

  • To check if a car is insured, you need the car’s registration number (licence plate).
  • With this data, you may quickly confirm the status of your insurance by using online resources like the Motor Insurance Database (askMID).
  • Make sure you have access to the vehicle’s basic information, and be ready to present identification if required when confirming through government agencies or insurance providers.

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.

A car that I am aware is insured is saying it’s not! How should I proceed?

You’d be shocked at how typical this is.

It’s unlikely that the issue is due to a simple delay in uploading the information because askMID is updated every few hours. Directly contacting them is the best course of action. (In our experience, anything being input incorrectly, such as adding the wrong VRM, is the most likely reason.) Caranalytics regrettably is unable to respond to any questions about the askMID service.

While car insurance is essential, commercial vans might require additional coverage that providers like Zego offer. Zego specialises in flexible insurance solutions tailored to the needs of commercial drivers and businesses. Their coverage options can include both personal and business use, ensuring comprehensive 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 whether you have bought used car insurance, or want to find out who your car is insured with, the best way to do so is by checking it against the national Motor Insurance Database for free. It also contains information on any cars that are not registered in Great Britain but are operating within Great Britain, such as those visiting from overseas. There are three types of vehicle owner: a car owner, a hirer, and an operator.

A used car previous owner has paid the insurance of the vehicle and will only ever be one person per vehicle. A hirer pays someone else to use their vehicle and may be either a company or individual, depending on the contract they have signed up to. An operator rents vehicles out at short-term periods, meaning there are usually multiple people associated with each vehicle when it’s being rented out – but typically only one person will be named as the ‘Operator’.

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.

 

Answering your questions

Do I have to pay to find out if my car has insurance?

You can verify your own car’s insurance status for free. You must pay a fee to askMID in order to check the insurance status of another person’s vehicle.

What should I do if my vehicle details need to be corrected?

You should contact your insurer directly to correct any errors. askMID is unable to amend these details.

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