Posted 22/09/09

 What Happens If you have an accident involving an uninsured car?

We Spoke to Motor Insurers' Bureau for their tips.

What you need:

• Pen and paper
• Camera
• Your insurance details
• Mobile phone
• First aid kit

Directions:

In an accident

1.  If you're involved in an accident, make sure you move to a safe place before stopping.

2. Try and obtain the following pieces of information: 

• Time and date of the accident
• Contact details of other people involved
• Vehicle details of all parties involved including registration numbers
• Photos and notes of vehicle damage
• Injury details
• Name, "collar number" and force details of any police officer or other public service worker around
• Weather, visibility and lighting conditions
• Whether the parties were using headlights or indicators
• Estimated speed of vehicles involved
• A full description of what happened, including who was there, where it took place and who caused it.
• An accident report - ask a police officer for this

3. If the other driver has no car insurance, they may try to drive off or avoid your questions. Make sure you write down their registration number and call the police.

4. The police will take their car away. To retrieve it, the other party will have to get proof of insurance and pay £150, as well as any daily storage fees.

5. Tell your insurance company about the accident as soon as you can - even if you don't want to make a claim. Your policy could become void if you don't.

6. Make a claim to the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

How it works

1. If you have comprehensive insurance, you are automatically covered if you are hit by an uninsured car. However you could lose your no claims discount if it isn't protected.
2. Drivers with third party insurance should make a claim to the MIB.
3. The cost is met by your car insurer, but the true cost falls to the drivers - around £30 of the average annual premium goes towards claims against uninsured drivers.
4. Every insurer has to be a member of the MIB - It's the law.
5. If the uninsured driver doesn't pay up, The MIB will pursue your claim.
6. The MIB will be working with the DVLA and the Department for Transport under a new scheme to spot and fine uninsured drivers up to £1,000. This is due in around 18 Months.

Source Autotrader website