Uninsured or untraced drivers: how to make a claim
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is a non-profit making company set up by motor insurers. Its aim is to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.
The MIB is also responsible for operating what is known as the Green Card System in the UK, which compensates UK citizens who are the victims of accidents involving foreign registered vehicles either in the UK or abroad.
In this article we set out some key facts which we hope will help you get started with a claim. At Winston Solicitors, we have many years experience in this area and have assisted numerous clients. This is one of our specialist areas.
Uninsured Drivers
A successful claim against an uninsured driver will typically result in reimbursement of the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle (if you do not have a comprehensive insurance policy), hire charges, loss of use and property damage. Often, this is subject to a £300 excess.
A claim may also be made in respect of the following:
- treatment and/or rehabilitation for personal injury;
- compensation for personal injuries suffered, or even death, or losses arising from personal injury or death (such as lost earnings); and
- legal costs.
No damages are payable if the victim (the claimant) was travelling as a passenger in a vehicle and knew the driver was not insured.
An old car
Untraced Drivers
As above, a successful claim against an untraced driver will typically allow reimbursement of the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle (assuming you do not have a comprehensive insurance policy), hire charges, loss of use and property damage. Again, there is often an excess of £300.
Similarly to above, a claim may also be brought in respect of the following:
- treatment and/or rehabilitation for personal injury;
- compensation for personal injuries suffered, or even death, or losses arising from personal injury or death (such as lost earnings); and
- a contribution towards legal costs (often not the full amount).
However, there may be difficulties bringing a claim if the offending vehicle has not been identified and, once again, no damages are payable if the victim (the claimant) was travelling as a passenger in a vehicle and knew the driver was not insured.
Diesel spillages
Diesel
This is a little known area with which the MIB can assist under the untraced driver scheme. Accidents involving vehicles skidding out of control on diesel spillages are more common than people realise. The criteria are the same as above but there are some additional conditions, which we can discuss with you.
If you have been the victim of a crash with an uninsured or untraced driver, feel free to get in touch using the comments form below, or to Winston Solicitors LLP direct.
