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What you need to know about uninsured driver accidents

In the UK, anyone who owns a car is required, by law, to have car insurance. There are a few different types of coverage, but at the very least, you need a third-party policy. Car insurance is important to have, not only because there are severe consequences if you’re found not to have it, but because it’s designed to protect you from the financial costs of an accident.

However, this doesn’t mean everyone who drives a car takes out insurance. Unfortunately, there are people out there who believe they are above the law, while others sometimes forget to renew their policies! In this article, we’re going to go over all you need to know about uninsured driver accidents.

In this section

› Uninsured Driver Accident Claims

› What you need to know

› What happens to uninsured drivers?

› What to do if I have an accident

› Claiming against uninsured drivers

› Calculating your claim amount

What happens to uninsured drivers involved in an accident in the UK?

An uninsured driver who is involved in an accident in the UK could face serious consequences. The current charge for driving without insurance is a fixed penalty fine of £300 and up to 6 penalty points. If the case goes to court, an uninsured driver also risks losing their licence and being disqualified.

In addition to criminal penalties, uninsured drivers may also be liable for any damages they cause to other vehicles or property during an accident. This extends to any medical costs incurred by other parties and any compensation payments that are awarded. However, in reality, it’s often difficult to get this money from them, especially if they don’t have the assets or funds available.

Did you know?

Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is injured by an uninsured or untraced ‘hit and run’ driver, with many suffering life-changing injuries. This equates to 26,000 injuries each year or nearly one in every five road traffic casualties.

Motor Insurers Bureau

What to do if I have an accident with an uninsured driver

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, it is important to take the following steps:

Step 1

Make sure that you take photographs of the scene of the accident, plus any damage caused to either vehicle.

Step 2

Get the name, address and contact details of the uninsured driver.

Step 3

Contact the police and report the accident (make sure you do this within 24 hours). If there were any witnesses that saw the accident or captured dashcam footage, it might also be a good idea to get their information.

It’s also important that you inform your insurance company if you’ve been in an accident with an uninsured driver. Although your insurer won’t be able to claim against the other party’s insurance, you may invalidate your own policy by not informing them.

Generally speaking, there are two different ways to make a claim against an uninsured driver following an accident. These are:

Using your own insurance

If you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can make a claim via your own insurance provider for any damages or injuries that result from the accident. However, if it’s proven that you caused the accident or the uninsured driver can’t be found, you won’t be able to claim for damages.

While the accident is investigated, you may temporarily lose your no-claims bonus. However, if the uninsured driver is found to be at fault, this should be reinstated.

Using the Motor Insurer’s Bureau

In the event you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver and you can’t trace them or you don’t have comprehensive insurance coverage, you could make a claim through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). This option can be advantageous as it won’t affect your insurance premiums or no claims bonus. What’s more, the MIB will factor in both vehicle damage costs and any associated personal injury costs, which could lead to a greater payout.

If compensation is provided, the MIB may choose to pursue the uninsured driver for the costs of the compensation payments. The MIB can also revoke the uninsured driver’s driving licence and impound their vehicle.

Can I claim for an accident if I was an uninsured driver?

This depends on who is at fault. If you’re uninsured and the accident was caused by the other driver, their insurance will have to pay out if they admit liability. However, it’s worth noting that you may be prosecuted if you decide to make a claim against them.

If you’re at fault, you don’t have any legal basis to make a claim.

Key stats

As of 2020, more than 2 million cars have been seized by Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) since 2005
79,000 drivers were caught driving without insurance in 2018
A 33% reduction compared to 2017, where 118,000 drivers were caught
872 of these offences in 2018 were committed by individuals under 17 years of age

How many uninsured drivers are on the roads?

Calculate your personal injury claim today!

If you’ve been in a car accident involving an uninsured driver, navigating the legal complexities of making a claim can be challenging. That’s why it really benefits you to have the support and guidance of a legal expert who is familiar with these types of cases.

You can find out more about personal injury claims here. Alternatively, check out our blog page to read articles about similar claims.

If you’re ready to submit a personal injury claim, visit our enquiry page today.

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