The UK’s central source for storing car, van and motorcycle insurance details, is the Motor Insurance Database, or MID. It was introduced to get claims processed faster and assist in the fight against uninsured drivers and riders.
It’s kept up to date by insurers, with information supplied by their policyholder. The database can be checked in the event of an incident to assist in establishing the relevant insurer.
Government organisations and the police can also access the database to look up information and help prevent fraud.
A publicly accessible website exists, this can be found at www.askmid.com so consumers can check the database to ensure their own vehicle details are shown as being insured, It will also assist them if they are involved in an incident, as they’ll be able to check the third party has a valid insurance policy.
What happens if you want to remove a vehicle from the database? Perhaps you’ve sold it, it’s been written off or scrapped?
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If you’re a personal lines policyholder, you won’t be able to update the MID yourself. You’ll need to get in touch with your insurer so that they can amend the motor insurers database on your behalf.
Holders of motor trade policies such as car dealers can access the MID database to make changes, but only with authorisation from their insurer. The alterations they can make may be restricted.
It’s essential that policyholders ensure their insurers are provided with accurate information regarding their vehicles (including vehicle removals), as non-compliance of the regulations is a criminal offence and the maximum possible fine for not submitting data is £5,000!
