askMID, the website that allows you to check if your vehicle is on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) for free, is working together with some of the leading insurers including Aviva, Zurich, Allianz, RSA and MORE TH>N, to make sure that their customers details are recorded correctly on the database.
Under the new Continuous Insurance (CIE) scheme, due to launch in June 2011, keepers of vehicles who have no record of insurance on the MID, will receive a letter informing them that they do not appear to have a valid insurance policy.
The insurance industry is encouraging all customers to check if they are recorded on the MID now by going to www.askmid.com/ and entering their vehicle registration number. If their details do not appear on the MID, customers are advised to contact their insurance provider immediately so that the records can be updated.
This is to ensure that all policies are correctly recorded and that customers who currently have a valid insurance policy, do not receive a letter in error. If a warning letter is received and no action is taken, a series of escalating penalties can apply which will include a fixed penalty notice; clamping, seizure and disposal of the vehicle and a court prosecution with a fine of up to £1,000.
The CIE law states that it is now an offence to keep a vehicle that is not insured at all times or declared as off the road to the DVLA. The MID will be systematically checked with DVLA records to identify keepers of potentially uninsured vehicles.
Ashton West, Chief Executive of MIB said: “The industry is working closely with Government and DVLA as key partners ahead of the launch of the new scheme, which will be in addition to current Police powers in taking uninsured vehicles from our roads. We remain committed to preparing the public ahead of the change in law.”
Graeme Trudgill, BIBA’s Head of Corporate Affairs said: “CIE is instrumental in combating uninsured driving which currently adds £30 a year to every motorist’s insurance premium, amounting to more than £500m a year in additional expenses. This is a serious and costly issue, and it’s important that insurance providers all play their part to help their customers make sure that they are well prepared and informed ahead of new law enforcement.”
Source : MIB Press Release
