The 5 myths about making a claim against an uninsured driver

Cars on motorway

Being involved in a road traffic accident can be traumatic or even life-changing.

It can be even more distressing if it turns out your injuries and financial losses were caused by a hit and run driver or someone without insurance.

What are your rights? Can you recover your losses? Is a claim still possible?

There are many myths about claiming against an uninsured or untraced driver, but we have a thorough understanding of the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB) claims process.

To separate fact from fiction, we're addressing the most common misunderstandings should you ever need to make an MIB claim.

Myth #1: You can’t claim compensation against an uninsured/untraced driver

This is false.

Most compensation claims involving uninsured or untraced drivers are made with the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). This is a national body where insurance companies pay a certain amount of money into a big pot every year. The money is then used to compensate victims of traffic collisions where the driver who caused the crash either had no insurance or couldn’t be traced.

Myth #2: It’s your own insurance that compensates for your losses in a car accident

This is false.

Where there is no insurance for the negligent party (or if it was a hit and run and the driver can’t be traced) then the MIB will provide compensation to you for your damaged vehicle and personal injury as well as compensation owed to any of your passengers.

Myth #3: Raising a claim with MIB affects your no claims bonus

This is false.

Simply put, your no claims bonus will only be affected when you have been negligent - NOT someone else. So in the case of an MIB claim, if there is evidence to show you were not at fault then there is no reason for your no claims bonus to be at risk.

Myth #4: There’s a limit to the amount of compensation MIB pays out

This is false.

The MIB does not have a limit to the amount of compensation it provides people. This is because an injured person has the right to be fully compensated for their losses. An independent personal injury solicitor will help you gather the right evidence to make sure all your losses can be calculated and secure full and rightful MIB compensation.

Myth #5: You need to be a driver to make a claim with MIB

This is false.

Pedestrians, cyclists and other road users are all eligible for a road traffic accident claim with the MIB should they be injured by an uninsured or untraced driver. For decades, Digby Brown has dealt with road traffic crashes more than any other accident. Every year we help about 2,000 people affected by RTA’s alone and a lot of these include uninsured or untraced drivers.

More information on the Motor Insurer’s Bureau and how we help people recover fair damages is available on our uninsured driver page.

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