Motor Insurance Database (MID)
The need-to-know guide to the Motor Insurance Database
Find out everything you need to know about the Motor Insurance Database (MID).
What is the Motor Insurance Database?
The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is a large computer based database which holds details of cars and other vehicles in the UK which are insured to drive on public roads.
It is generally updated by insurers, insurance brokers and authorised representatives when you purchase a car insurance policy from them, however it can also be updated by policyholders, such as motorists and those who work in the motor trade.
Who regulates the Motor Insurance Database?
The Department for Transport requires all insurers to ensure that data supplied to the Motor Insurance Database is done so in a timely and accurate fashion. In fact, insurers have a legal obligation to provide the information to the MID, which then stays on the database for a period of 7 years.
Despite having a valid insurance policy in place, if your insurer has failed to register the vehicle on the Motor Insurance Database, it is quite likely that you will receive an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL) and, you run the risk of being stopped by the police and having your car seized.
It is possible for you to check that your vehicle is listed on the motor insurance database free of charge, and you can also request a copy of any personal information that is held about you by submitting a SAR request (Subject Access Request) to the MIB Customer Services department however, you may be required to pay a one-off £10 fee.
If you check the Motor Insurance Database and find that you are not listed, or indeed that the details listed are incorrect it is vital that you contact your insurer immediately to correct the mistakes.
Can I check to see If a third party is insured?
In the event of an accident, it is possible for you to check the other party(s) vehicle does in fact have insurance by using the askMID website or app however, they may be an administration fee to do so.
If you work in the Motor Trade, and have a motor trade insurance policy that covers several vehicles, your insurer may provide you with direct access to the Motor Insurance Database so that you can update it yourself by adding or removing any vehicles you have bought or sold.
Immediately after purchasing your policy you must add your vehicles and trade plates to the MID.
Do I need to add all my vehicles to the MID?
You will need to add the following to the motor insurance database:
- Any vehicles that are registered to you on a constant basis, whether leased or owned.
- Vehicles you have access to on a temporary basis such as short-term hire cars or courtesy cars.
- Any other vehicles that you use your Motor Trade Insurance policy to cover on a regular basis.
It is not necessary to add untaxed stock vehicles (which you will drive on your trade plates) to the Motor Insurance database. However, it is best practice to do so.
What data do I need to submit to the MI Database?
You will need to provide the Motor Insurance Database with the following information:
- Your motor trade insurance policy number.
- The registration number of the vehicle.
- The date on which the vehicle was first added to your trader’s insurance policy.
- The date which the vehicle was removed from cover under you trade policy.
We hope you found our guide to the MI Database useful. If you work in the motor trade industry, use Utility Saving Expert to get a no-obligation quote within minutes.