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Drivers have the right to claim

Motorists who are in a collision with an uninsured driver still have the right to make a claim, according to a local expert.

Dave Williams, said:

“If you’re in a collision with an uninsured driver, even if they flee the scene and are never traced, you are still entitled to claim.

“It might sound strange to say you’re entitled to claim, even if the other driver is uninsured, but there are steps you can take to recover costs for repairs on your vehicle or for any medical treatment you may need.”
Mr Williams said the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) was set up in 1946 to compensate the victims of negligent uninsured and untraced motorists – also known as hit and run drivers.

“It’s funded by drivers who do actually pay their insurance as it takes a percentage of every vehicle insurance policy of around £30, and it deals with claims for vehicle and property damage as well as injuries.

“And with as many as one million uninsured vehicles on the UK roads, the MIB’s workload is increasing every day. Currently they are handling over 20,000 claims against uninsured and untraced motorists every year.”
Mr Williams said motorists involved in a road traffic accident with an uninsured driver should contact the MIB through their website – www.mib.org.uk

“Whether they simply don’t have insurance, or they refuse to give you their insurance details, or if the other vehicle is registered overseas (which can make an insurance claim very difficult and time-consuming), the MIB will be able to advise motorists on their best way forward.”
He said motorists should ask the other driver for their name and address at the scene, and make a note (or take a photo) of the registration number, make and model of the vehicle.

Mr Williams said if the other driver refused to give their insurance details, it was vital that the motorist contacted the police as soon as possible to make a formal complaint as refusing to give out such information is a criminal offence.

“If the other vehicle fails to stop, try to get the registration number and get a photo if you can. Don’t just assume that if the other driver has no insurance that you will have to cover the costs of any damage yourself – there are rules in place to make sure you’re not out of pocket.”