Many databases are tracking your insurance history. The information collected includes details about policies taken out and claims made.
One of the most common databases is the MID - a platform for central records of all insured vehicles in the UK.
Here we take a look at what’s available and whether it can be publicly accessed.
What is the MID?
The MID is the central record of all insured vehicles in the UK. It’s run by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) and used by both the police and the DVLA to enforce motor insurance laws.
The police are the MID's biggest user, making over 2 million enquiries every month. They use it to identify and remove uninsured vehicles from our roads.
To protect customers from fraud, there are several motor insurance databases that work with each other as well as car insurance companies and the police.
Around 115,000 vehicles are seized each year for not having car insurance. Around 30% of those are subsequently sold or destroyed.
If a car isn't on the Motor Insurance Database, there are 3 possibilities:
- The car has a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN)
- There's been a mistake when insuring the car, which means it doesn't appear
- The car is driving without insurance
Why do I need to be on the MID?
Using your vehicle on the road without insurance could result in:
- A £300 fine
- Up to 6 penalty points on your licence
- The seizure of your vehicle
You might also get a £150 fee to release your car if it’s taken away. A conviction for driving without insurance is also likely to see your costs go up next year.
Can I use the MID to check my car?
Yes, you can check your own vehicle is insured at askMID. It’s free to use and should immediately tell you if it’s on the database.
All you do is type in your registration number. A box then appears stating the name and model of your vehicle and whether valid cover is in place.
If you’ve been involved in an accident, you can also do a one-off search to confirm the insurance details of other parties involved.
You need to complete a request form and pay a fee of £10.00.
What if my car details are incorrect?
If you've insured your car but it's not appearing on the MID, it's possible that the reg details on your car insurance policy are incorrect.
Check your policy documents or contact your insurance company to check. Common mistakes include:
- Typing the wrong letter after mishearing it over the phone. For example. F becomes S, M becomes N.
- Putting 2 letters the wrong way around.
- Using a 0 instead of an O, and vice versa.
You need your car insurance provider to update the reg plate on your policy. It should take a few days for it to be updated on the MID.
How can I check my car insurance claims history?
To access your claims history, you can submit a request form to the data controller for the Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE).
This information should include:
- The date of any claims
- The type of claims
- How much was paid out
- Any injuries recorded
If you believe that mistakes have been made, you should contact the insurer – or organisation – that entered the information onto the database.
What other motor databases do insurance companies use?
Motor Insurers’ Bureau
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) was originally set up in 1946 to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced hit and run drivers. But its role has developed considerably over the years.
While it still handles around 25,000 new claims every year, it also manages several databases on behalf of the UK insurance industry.
Claims and Underwriting Exchange
The Claims and Underwriting Exchange (CUE) enables insurers to share information and help combat insurance fraud.
It’s a central database of motor, home and personal injury/industrial illness incidents that have been reported to insurance companies.
This data is held for 6 years from the date the claim was closed.
What information is held on CUE?
Information on incidents, whether or not they resulted in a claim, should be held on record. They can include minor car scrapes, as well as home thefts and personal injuries.
The CUE only holds information on incidents that you've declared. So, it might be tempting not to record low-level incidents in an attempt to fly under their radar.
Can I check the CUE database?
You can find out what information is held about you on the CUE database by completing a subject access request form.
Or, you can call them on 0345 1652803.
Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register?
The Motor Insurance Anti-Fraud and Theft Register (MIAFTR) is a database of written off and stolen vehicles. It was set up to monitor what happens to vehicles that have been written off for insurance purposes.
MyLicence
The MyLicence service gives motor insurers instant access to your driving history. This is so they can provide an accurate quote for your insurance.
All you need to provide is your driving licence number. All the details from your driving history can be obtained directly from the DVLA database. These include:
- Your driving entitlements
- Any disqualifications
- Any penalty points still valid on your licence
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