Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Lowdown On Claiming Against Uninsured Drivers

By John Manning


Have you ever been hit by an uninsured driver? If you have then you probably know the procedure regarding how to claim. However, if you are lucky enough to have never been hit by an uninsured driver then the idea might seem like a complete and utter nightmare to you. Well, it should be because it is if you have no idea how to claim for that and you realise that most car insurance quotes do not cover you for it!

All car insurance companies hate those uninsured drivers because their accidents cost them in the millions of pounds every single year. The damage they inflict is substantial and so it is no wonder that car insurance quotes do not include provision for cover against them a high percentage of the time. The possible cost is too much so you are literally left high and dry if it ever does happen.

You should firstly check your car insurance policy to see whether or not you are covered in the event of an accident involving an uninsured driver. If you are then you are one of the lucky ones that is just required to claim in the regular way via the provider itself. However, if you are not covered under your insurance company then you will have to pursue compensation by yourself.

If you are not covered for it then it could potentially take years to get your money back in the form of compensation, and that does not always cover the full costs. You can claim whether your car is a write off or just in need of repairs. If you have an insurer offering cover against uninsured drivers then you will just have to claim in the normal way so you will get the full cost back within weeks. However, you otherwise have to go through the Motor Insurance Board (MIB) instead.

The MIB is an organisation that was set up to help motorists that had specifically been in an accident with an uninsured driver. Although they do compensate you eventually via taking legal action against the uninsured party, you have to follow a set procedure first.

You must make sure that the individual in question is not insured via a DVLA check and you must also make a formal complaint to the police. You can do this if the driver in question has refused to give you his or her details as that in itself is a criminal offence. You must also contact your insurer as well. Car insurance quotes and policies state you have to tell them about all accidents.

After you have done the above you can make a claim. You have to submit a form to the MIB and provide them with any and all information that can help them to trace the driver and bring a case against him or her. You can do this online or via post. You should make the claim as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delay.

Taking each case through the courts understandably takes time but you are entitled to that money. After all, you are forced to pay around 30 pounds extra a year as a result of uninsured drivers. You may have to wait but you can get the compensation you deserve.

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