Uninsured pull-out
A car with no insurance pulls out at a junction and hits you. The MIB uninsured-driver scheme covers your losses.
Claiming against an uninsured driver lets you recover compensation through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) when the driver who caused your accident had no insurance, left the scene, or cannot be traced.
You do not lose your right to compensation simply because the other driver was uninsured. Around 1 million uninsured drivers are estimated to be on UK roads without valid insurance at any given time (Motor Insurers Bureau / DVLA, 2025). If you have been injured by one of them in a car accident, the MIB exists specifically to ensure you can still claim compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
At Hannah Gold Solicitors, we have handled uninsured driver claims through the MIB for clients nationwide over 15 years, recovering over £21 million in total across all claim types. Your case is handled by a senior solicitor from start to settlement. We charge a 20% success fee*, not the 25% many firms deduct. No Win No Fee on uninsured driver claims.
£21 million recovered · 15 years specialist practice
£21M+
Recovered for clients
3 yrs
MIB claim time limit
20%*
Success fee, not 25%
100%
No Win No Fee
*The 20% success fee applies to claims valued over £5,000. Lower-value claims worth below £5,000 are charged at a different rate, which we always explain clearly before you sign.
Yes. If you were injured in a road traffic accident caused by a driver who had no insurance, you can claim compensation through the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB is funded by the insurance industry and exists to compensate victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.
You may be able to claim if:
Being uninsured is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988. However, the driver's criminal liability is a separate matter. Your civil compensation claim proceeds through the MIB regardless of whether the driver is prosecuted.
Driving without insurance is illegal in the UK. Offenders can face a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points, with the possibility of an unlimited fine or disqualification if the case goes to court. The police also have the power to seize and destroy vehicles driven without insurance.
“MIB claims start the same way as any RTA, with scene photographs, witness details and a police report reference.
The MIB operates two separate agreements depending on whether the driver is known or unknown.
This applies where the at-fault driver is identified but had no valid motor insurance. The claim is made against the MIB, which steps in to handle it as if it were the driver's insurer. The process follows standard personal injury procedures: medical evidence is obtained, liability is investigated, and compensation is negotiated.
Key points: you must report the accident to the police, and obtain the driver's details (name, address, vehicle registration). The MIB will investigate liability and may dispute fault, just as any insurer would. Compensation is assessed in the same way as any road traffic accident claim: general damages for injuries and special damages for financial losses.
This applies where the driver left the scene and cannot be identified. The claim is made directly to the MIB under the Untraced Drivers Agreement. This process differs from a standard claim because the MIB investigates and makes an award, rather than negotiating a settlement.
Key points: you must report the accident to the police within 14 days (5 days for damage-only claims) and cooperate fully with the MIB investigation. The MIB appoints an independent assessor to determine liability and compensation. Awards for untraced driver claims include personal injury compensation but not property damage. There is no right to take the claim to court under this agreement, but you can appeal the MIB's decision.
Compensation in uninsured driver claims is calculated in the same way as any road traffic accident claim, based on your injuries and financial losses. The table below shows the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition) general-damages brackets for injuries commonly seen in these claims. These cover the injury itself (pain, suffering and loss of amenity) only.
| Injury (general damages only) | JCG 18th-edition bracket |
|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue injuries (full recovery between 3 months and 2 years) | £3,240 – £10,420 |
| Moderate wrist injury (lasting symptoms) | £16,640 – £32,370 |
| Moderate ankle injury | £18,150 – £35,130 |
| Less serious leg injury (simple fracture) | Up to £18,600 |
| Moderate leg injury (multiple/complicated fractures) | £36,680 – £51,790 |
| Serious leg injury | £51,790 – £127,160 |
| Less severe brain injury | £20,240 – £56,890 |
| Moderate brain injury | £56,890 – £289,420 |
| Moderately severe brain injury | £289,420 – £372,570 |
| Very severe brain injury | £372,570 – £533,720 |
| Severe back injury (cord/nerve root damage) | £51,230 – £212,670 |
| Paraplegia | £289,420 – £375,540 |
| Tetraplegia | £428,850 – £533,720 |
| Moderate PTSD | £10,810 – £30,580 |
| Severe PTSD | £79,080 – £133,000 |
Figures are general damages (the injury only), valued under the Judicial College Guidelines. For a more detailed guide, see our UK compensation payouts guide. For high-value cases, see serious injury claims.
These figures cover general damages only. Special damages, such as lost earnings, medical treatment, care costs, rehabilitation, travel expenses, and future losses, are assessed separately and can significantly exceed the injury award in serious cases.
If you have a comprehensive insurance policy, your insurer may handle your claim directly and recover costs from the MIB. Some insurers offer an 'uninsured driver promise' to protect your no-claims bonus and may reimburse your excess if the accident was not your fault.
“Report every uninsured-driver incident to police within 24 hours, the MIB requires the crime reference number.
Strong evidence is critical in uninsured driver claims because the MIB investigates liability thoroughly. You should gather:
In hit and run cases where the driver is untraced, police evidence, CCTV, and witness statements become even more important. You can verify the insurance status of another vehicle via the askMID service.
The standard three-year time limit from the date of the accident applies to claims under the Uninsured Drivers Agreement. If the injured person was under 18, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday. Different rules apply where the injured person lacks mental capacity.
For claims under the Untraced Drivers Agreement (hit and run), the MIB imposes stricter procedural deadlines. The accident must be reported to the police within 14 days, and the application to the MIB must be made within three years. Personal injury claims must typically be made within three years of the accident, while property damage claims generally have a deadline of up to six years in England and Wales.
“The Uninsured Drivers' Agreement 2015 replaces the missing insurer, but the process is strict on notification deadlines.
Yes, and the answer surprises many people. Liability is determined by evidence, not insurance status. If you were at fault for an accident, an uninsured driver can bring a personal injury claim against you, and your insurer would handle the claim.
Being uninsured is a separate criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988. It does not affect the driver's right to bring a civil compensation claim for their injuries. However, if the uninsured driver was wholly or partly at fault, their compensation will be reduced or eliminated through contributory negligence, just as in any other claim.
A car with no insurance pulls out at a junction and hits you. The MIB uninsured-driver scheme covers your losses.
A driver's insurance has lapsed without their knowledge. Legally uninsured, the MIB pays your claim.
The vehicle is insured but the driver is not named on the policy, e.g. borrowing a car without permission.
A stolen vehicle causes a collision. The MIB covers claims involving stolen vehicles where you are the innocent party.
The driver leaves the scene and cannot be traced. The MIB untraced-driver scheme still compensates you.
Vulnerable road users hit by an uninsured driver can claim through the MIB, with no first-party insurance needed.
MIB claims involve specific procedural requirements that differ from standard insurance claims. Deadlines are strict, evidence requirements are demanding, and the MIB investigates liability as thoroughly as any insurer. Common issues include:
A specialist solicitor ensures procedural requirements are met, challenges unfair liability arguments, obtains proper medical evidence, and negotiates maximum compensation. We charge a 20% success fee, not the 25% many firms deduct. See what percentage do solicitors take for No Win No Fee.
Members of APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
“Untraced-driver claims (hit-and-runs) follow a different MIB agreement, the deadlines are shorter and evidence-preservation matters even more.
The full RTA hub.
Read Guide →Hit by a car as a pedestrian, compensation explained.
Read Guide →Cycling injury claims for accidents caused by drivers.
Read Guide →Catastrophic injuries and high-value claims.
Read Guide →Senior solicitor handling. 20% success fee. No Win No Fee. Free case assessment.
£21 million recovered · Established 2011
No Win No Fee means you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all if your claim does not succeed. If you win, a success fee is deducted from your compensation. On most personal injury claims we charge 20%, lower than the 25% maximum many firms apply; some lower-value Official Injury Claim portal cases are charged at a different rate, which we always explain clearly before you sign.
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