The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is a central database in the United Kingdom that contains information about insured vehicles. The MID is used by law enforcement and other relevant authorities, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to check if a vehicle is insured while on the road. It helps to enforce the legal requirement for vehicles in the UK to have valid insurance coverage.
Why is this important to me?
When you get insurance, whether it is temporary or annual, this policy information needs to be uploaded to the MID by the insurer, which in this case, will be One Day Insurance. Once the policy is started, the insurer has 7 days to upload all the information to the MID. Therefore, just because a car doesn’t yet show up on the database, doesn’t mean it is not legally insured, but rather that the information has not been submitted yet to the MID. For that reason, we recommend that you keep a copy of your temporary car insurance policy with you whilst you’re driving, whether that’s printed or digitally. This means that, should you need to, you can prove that you have valid insurance even if the vehicle doesn’t appear on the database.
Keep a copy of your temporary car insurance policy with you, whether that’s printed or digitally.
Why do I need to be registered on the MID?
1. Legal Requirement: In the UK, it is a legal requirement for all vehicles on the road to have valid and appropriate car insurance. Being registered on the MID is necessary to prove that you have the required insurance coverage (unless your policy has not yet been uploaded by the insurer).
2. Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies use the MID to verify insurance information. Being registered on the MID helps authorities confirm that a vehicle is insured, reducing the number of uninsured drivers on the road. If your vehicle is not on the MID, you are illegally driving the car, and could face a fixed fine of £300, penalty points on your licence and potential vehicle impoundment.
3. Safety: Valid insurance coverage is crucial for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Accidents can happen, and insurance provides financial protection in case of damage, injury, or liability. Being registered on the MID ensures that you and others are covered in the event of an accident.
4. Peace of Mind: By being registered on the MID, you have proof of insurance coverage readily available, reducing the risk of legal complications in case of accidents or interactions with law enforcement.
When will my details appear on the Motor Insurance Database (MID)?
We guarantee to upload new policy information to the MID within 24 hours. We upload new information daily, even on national holidays and weekends, with the new information appearing within the 24 hour window MID.
Regardless of a delay in purchasing a short term car insurance policy and your policy showing up on the MID, this will not stop you from being able to drive legally. You don’t have to wait for your policy to appear on the system; as long as you have the right insurance, you can hit the road. We do advise to keep a physical or digital copy of your insurance policy with you whilst behind the wheel, so you can prove you’ve got coverage should you need to.
How can I check if my policy has been uploaded to the MID?
AskMID is a website that allows you to look at the MID, often used by authorities, such as DVLA and the police, to check if a vehicle is insured. Got to AskMID.com and search the vehicle details to find out if the policy details for your vehicle have been uploaded to the MID.
But remember, if you have recently bought a car insurance policy, but it does not yet appear on the MID, it doesn’t mean you can’t legally drive your insured vehicle, but rather that the information is still waiting to be uploaded to the database.
Do the Police Use AskMID?
Yes, the police use AskMID in order to verify if a vehicle has valid insurance. If you’ve purchased a policy and have insurance, but the police stop you because your information hasn’t yet updated on the MID, there’s no need for concern. You can prove you do indeed have valid and fully comprehensive cover by presenting your insurance documents, either physically or digitally, to the officers.
And that’s what’s great about One Day Insurance; after you’ve completed our 3 quick and easy steps to get temporary car insurance, we will immediately email over all your policy documentation to you, so there’s no need to wait for physical letters or paperwork to confirm your insurance when you choose us. This ensures that if you’re ever pulled over following a MID check by the police, you can effortlessly display your policy confirmation documents via email.
What to do if your insurance policy not showing up on the MID?
As previously mentioned, your insurance coverage is effective as soon as you receive confirmation from the insurer, not when the policy appears on the MID. Therefore, if you’re concerned about an hourly insurance policy you’ve purchased not appearing on the MID within a few hours, there’s no need to hold off getting on the road. You can proceed with your journey as intended; just ensure you have the proof of insurance email from One Day Insurance readily available.
Still not showing up after a couple of days? Check the details of your policy to make sure they are correct. Incorrect registration details can lead to issues with the MID showing you as insured, or potentially invalidate your policy.
