What is the Motor Insurers Bureau?

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is a non-profit organisation established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured or untraced drivers. It is funded through the premiums paid by every law-abiding motorist with compulsory insurance.

In some circumstances, the MIB can also help you claim compensation if you have a motor accident abroad or with a foreign vehicle. Furthermore, the organisation manages a database that keeps a centralised record of all insured vehicles in the UK.

If you or a loved one were injured in a road accident, feel free to contact us for legal advice and to find out if you can make a claim through the MIB. For a free case assessment, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our contact form to request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• What is the Motor Insurers Bureau?
• What does the Motor Insurers Bureau do?
  • The uninsured drivers scheme
  • The untraced drivers scheme
  • The green card scheme
  • Claims for accidents abroad
• How is the MIB funded?
• Can I make a claim through the MIB?
• How do I make a compensation claim through the MIB?
• What is the Motor Insurance Database?
• What does the MIB cover following an accident?
• How much compensation could I receive from the MIB?
• Time limits to start a road traffic accident claim
• Do I need a solicitor to start a claim through the MIB?

What is the Motor Insurers Bureau?

Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. More precisely, someone is the victim of an uninsured or untraced driver every 20 minutes. That’s 72 people a day, of which at least one suffers life-changing injuries.

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) is a not-for-profit organisation in the UK. Established in 1946, it protects victims of motor accidents where the liable party has no insurance or flees the scene and is not traceable.

Without the protection of the MIB, victims in these accidents would be in a much worse position and most likely unable to make a claim for personal injury compensation. In 2024, the organisation paid out more than £400 million to those affected by such incidents.

Furthermore, the MIB is a valuable ally to the police in taking uninsured vehicles off the road. In the past 20 years, the collaboration between the MIB and the government has made it possible to seize more than 2.5 million uninsured vehicles, approximately 360 per day.

What does the Motor Insurers Bureau do?

The primary function of the MIB is to provide compensation to victims of uninsured or untraced drivers who have caused a road traffic accident. Essentially, it acts as a safety net for when there is no insurer from where to seek personal injury compensation.

The MIB runs several schemes to ensure that everyone injured in a road accident can recover damages and receive financial support:

The uninsured drivers scheme

This scheme deals with accidents caused or contributed to by uninsured driving. Once it is established that the at-fault driver does not hold valid insurance and the MIB’s claims criteria are met, the organisation will step in to compensate the claimant.

Eligible claims can cover vehicle repairs or replacement, hire charges, loss of use, property damage, and personal injury, including treatment and rehabilitation costs. Once the claim is proven, the MIB will also cover the legal costs.

The untraced drivers scheme

This scheme applies to accidents where the responsible driver leaves the scene without exchanging details and cannot be identified. As you likely know, this is a criminal offence that can result in a fine, penalty points, or even prison time.

If you are injured or your property is damaged in a hit and run accident, the MIB can provide compensation. However, there are several restrictions imposed by this scheme, and you may not be able to recover legal fees in full.

The green card scheme

This scheme facilitates claims arising from accidents involving vehicles registered in other countries. Under certain circumstances, the MIB may step in and deal with claims from victims of such accidents.

The green card system is an international agreement between 47 countries in Europe and beyond, including Germany, Italy, Ireland, Spain and Austria. It ensures that a visiting motorist has the minimum insurance coverage required by law in the visited country.

If the foreign driver has a green card, the MIB will work with their insurer to handle the claim, so you do not have to pursue compensation directly from a foreign insurer.

Claims for accidents abroad

In addition to handling claims involving foreign drivers in the UK, the MIB also plays a role in assisting UK citizens who are involved in road accidents abroad. The green card scheme plays a crucial role in facilitating this.

As mentioned above, the MIB also works with the police to remove uninsured vehicles from the road. They successfully seize one vehicle every four minutes, which amounts to around 130,000 per year.

How is the MIB funded?

The Motor Insurers Bureau is funded through contributions from all insurers that provide compulsory motor insurance in the UK. These are legally required to pay a premium to the MIB. As a matter of fact, they are only allowed to operate if they contribute a share of the insurance cost to the Bureau.

Ultimately, law-abiding motorists pay this cost through their insurance premiums. Typically, around £30 from each compulsory motor insurance policy goes toward funding the MIB.

This helps protect victims who cannot claim from an insurance provider directly because the responsible party was uninsured or untraceable. The premiums that are collected build up a fund from which such victims can claim the compensation that they are rightfully owed.

Can I make a claim through the MIB?

Being involved in a road traffic accident is always scary and traumatic. In some cases, it can have devastating consequences and lead to life-changing injuries and substantial financial losses.

If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you can typically make a road traffic accident claim for compensation. However, this is not an option if the responsible party is uninsured or untraceable.

However, you may still be able to claim through the MIB, and the easiest way to find out if you have a valid case is through a free consultation with an experienced solicitor. They will verify whether:

• Another driver owed you a legal duty of care;
• They breached this duty and caused an accident;
• You suffered an injury, property damage, and/or other losses as a result.

It is essential to remember that, to claim compensation from the MIB, you and your legal team must first exhaust all efforts to identify the liable party and their insurer. This means you must also claim on your own insurance if you have comprehensive coverage.

If this is deemed impossible, the MIB will review your case and pay compensation as it sees fit. Your solicitor will act on your behalf to negotiate the highest award sums possible.

The MIB further stipulates that the police must have been notified of the accident as soon as possible, along with any other insurance companies for related vehicles or victims.

Also, if you yourself were driving an uninsured vehicle at the time of an accident, you cannot receive compensation from the MIB, irrespective of the severity of any injuries or losses that you have suffered.

How do I make a compensation claim through the MIB?

If you were involved in a road traffic accident and want to claim compensation through the MIB, you must follow several simple steps:

First of all, you must make sure you report the accident to the police within 24 hours. If the accident is severe or poses a risk to others, you should immediately call 999 or 101. You should also notify your own insurer, even if you intend to claim through the MIB.

Secondly, it is essential to gather as much evidence as possible at the accident scene, which could include:

• Contact details from any witnesses to the incident who can later give a statement about what happened;
• Photographs of the accident scene, preferably before anything is moved or tampered with;
• Photos of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle;
• The contact details of the other driver, even if they are uninsured;
• Details of the other vehicle involved, such as its make, colour, model or licence plate.

You must seek medical care as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor. If they are severe, you should call an ambulance at the accident scene. Your medical records documenting your injuries and treatment will serve as key evidence in your claim.

If you decide to make an MIB claim, you should seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you gather evidence, complete the necessary forms and negotiate the best compensation on your behalf.

Once your claim is submitted, the MIB will investigate and assess it based on the evidence you provided. They will determine liability and the amount of compensation due. If you are unhappy with the MIB settlement, your solicitor can help you appeal it in some cases.

What is the Motor Insurance Database?

The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is a central record of all insured vehicles in the UK run by the MIB. It is used by both the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and the police to verify that vehicles are adequately insured and enforce motor insurance laws.

As of 30 April 2024, the MID has changed its name to Navigate. You can use it to verify your own insurance status and ensure that your vehicle is correctly listed and complies with the legal requirements.

Also, in the event of an accident, you can verify the insurance status of the other vehicles involved. This allows you to confirm that the other driver has valid insurance coverage.

If another driver does not hold valid insurance, you should immediately inform the police. Also, you will know that you may need to pursue a potential claim through the MIB.

You should know that using your car without proper insurance could result in:

•  A fine of £300
• Up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence
• A higher insurance premium in the future
• Being disqualified from driving
• Court prosecution and an unlimited fine
• Having your vehicle seized and having to pay £150 to get it back

What does the MIB cover following an accident?

The MIB will pay compensation for injuries, damage to vehicles and property, as well as any emotional distress, financial losses and likely future impact on a victim. If you make a successful claim, it could include the following:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional and psychological distress
• Loss of amenities, such as the ability to participate in hobbies and activities
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Private medical treatments
• Cost of care and assistance, both past and future
• Lost wages during recovery and loss of earning capacity
• The cost of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle

The MIB also pays compensation to families who have lost a loved one in a road traffic accident. This can cover various losses, including:

• A bereavement award
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of financial benefits provided by the deceased
• Loss of services
• Pain, suffering and medical expenses incurred by the deceased before death

The MIB requires £300 in excess for cases involving an untraceable driver. That means that the first £300 of any property damage claim is not covered by the MIB and must be paid by the claimant.

The excess amount is not payable if the driver is known but holds no valid motor insurance.

How much compensation could I receive from the MIB?

If you are entitled to compensation, your award will be made of two types of damages:

• General damages cover your pain, suffering and subjective impact on your life.
• Special damages cover all your financial losses and expenses.

Special damages are calculated based on the financial documents you can provide (such as receipts and invoices) and the projected losses in the future.

General damages are based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College. According to these and our compensation calculator, you could receive:

• £9,110 to £135,920 for a femur fracture, ranging from a simple break to a severe injury causing permanent disability
• £30,500 to £46,970 for a moderate neck injury with some long-term effects
• £38,210 to £61,090 for a severe ankle injury
• £16,770 to £32,450 for a moderate back injury that involves significant pain and limitation but no long-term disability
• £344,150 to £493,000 for a very severe brain injury that causes profound disability

Time limits to start a road traffic accident claim

Generally, there is a three-year time limit to make a compensation claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau, as established by the Limitation Act 1980. As with any other personal injury claim, there are a few exceptions:

• If you don’t immediately realise the extent of your injuries, the three-year period may begin from the date of knowledge.
• Claims involving children have no limitation date until the child’s 18th birthday. Afterwards, they have until turning 21 to start a claim themselves if nobody claimed on their behalf.
• If the injured party lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, either due to a severe injury or a pre-existing condition such as autism, the time limit is paused. A litigation friend could represent them at any time.
• In cases of fatal accidents, the three-year time limit starts from the date of death.

Do I need a solicitor to start a claim through the MIB?

While you are not legally required to have a solicitor to start a claim through the MIB, we strongly advise you to seek legal representation because:

• They have the knowledge and experience to deal with all the legal aspects of the case;
• They can accurately assess the value of your claim and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available;
• They can efficiently gather and organise evidence to ensure you make a successful claim;
• They will handle all the communication and legal aspects of the claim so that you can focus on your recovery;
• Their constant guidance towards the claims process can offer peace of mind and reduced stress;
• They will send you regular updates about the progression of your case.

Furthermore, all the solicitors we partner with work on a no win no fee basis. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront, and if your case fails, there is no risk to you.

To learn more about what the Motor Insurers Bureau is and how you can claim compensation from it, feel free to call us on 0800 470 0474 or request a call back.