Car Insurance

You can check if your car is insured through the Motor Insurance Database (MID). Simply enter your vehicle’s number plate and confirm you’re the owner of the car.

Check when your insurance runs out by checking your insurance policy documents. Your policy should include your renewal date on it. If you already know who your insurance provider is, you may want to contact them to confirm your renewal date. If you’re not sure who your provider is check your bank statements.

Most policies last 12 months. They usually expire at 23.59pm one year on from the date you took out the insurance.

Your car insurance policy starts from the date you pre-select which can be in the future. When your payment has been processed, you will receive a policy number. Sometimes it takes longer for your details to appear on the MID. If this happens don’t worry – you’ll still be covered.

Most insurance providers send their insurance policy confirmation documents by email as well as by post. So if you cannot find a hard copy of your car insurance policy, the first port of call is to check your emails. If you are still struggling to find your policy documents, contact your insurance provider.

To make a claim on your insurance, contact your insurance provider straight away. Get a claim form from your insurer, giving the details of the accident and the other driver’s policy number.

No, you cannot legally drive without car insurance in the UK. Uninsured drivers face a fine of £300 and six penalty points if they’re caught driving a vehicle they are not insured to drive.

It’s against the law to drive without insurance. Insurance protects you financially if you have an accident against repair costs and injuries to other drivers, pedestrians and passengers in your car.

Yes, you can technically insure your car without an MOT, but it is illegal to drive without one. To find out more read our guide.

Certain vehicles are tax exempt and can be insured without tax. These are: vehicles used by a disabled person; vehicles made before 1 January 1982; fully electric vehicles; vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

No. You cannot drive a SORN car to an MOT without insurance. You can drive a SORN car to an MOT as long as it’s a pre-booked MOT and your car is insured.

A no claims discount is a discount applied to the cost of your car insurance if you don’t make a claim. Usually, you’ll receive a no claims discount for every year you don’t make a claim.

The policy excess is the cost you’ll need to pay yourself if you need to make a claim. A compulsory excess is a fixed price set by your insurance provider, whereas a voluntary excess is the amount you’re willing to pay to make a claim.

There are three main types of car insurance. This consists of third party, third party fire and theft and fully comprehensive.

Third party car insurance is the minimum level of cover you can take out legally. It includes damage to the other person’s car and their injuries. Third party cover does not include damage to your own vehicle or your own injuries if the accident is your fault.

Third party car, fire and theft insurance covers you for damage to the other person’s car and their injuries as well as covering you for damage if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.

Fully comprehensive car insurance covers your vehicle if you damage your car or another car in an accident. It also covers you for any injuries or if you injure someone else, no matter who is at fault. You’ll also be covered for fire and theft.

Black box insurance is also known as pay-how-you-drive insurance or telematics insurance. Your driving is monitored in order to set the price for your insurance cover.

You can be insured on a car you do not own. However, you do need the owner of the car’s permission.