Motor Insurance Database Updates

The Motor Insurance Database (MID) is an online database holding all the information on every insured vehicle in the UK. For Motor Trade Combined policies, most insurers now request that the policy holder updates their MID record directly with them online, with the login details provided when the policy was purchased.

European Legislation (4th Motor Insurance Directive) introduced in January 2003 requires that all Member States maintain a national database that contains details of every insured vehicle. These databases are designed to make it easier to pursue cross-border claims, and also help with the enforcement of compulsory motor insurance requirements in the UK.

The MIB, or Motor Insurance Bureau, is responsible for the Motor Insurance Database (MID). This is who would contact you if you haven’t added a vehicle in your possession to the MID.

In terms of your insurance cover you have 14 days to notify the MID of vehicles being used on the road. For your own protection we recommend when driving a vehicle that is not on the Motor Insurance Database you carry proof of your valid motor trade insurance. However be aware if the vehicle is not on the database and should they feel need to, the Police are within their rights to impound your vehicle within the 14 day period even if you are carrying proof of your valid motor trade insurance.

Customers vehicles should never be added to your own policy. The policy holder may only be covered on a customer’s vehicle if the vehicle is already insured and showing on the MID.

If you have owned the vehicle for more than 14 days the insurer could decline all aspects of cover, also even with a valid certificate in your possession the Police could still impound the vehicle if it does not appear on the database. You will be able to retrieve your own vehicle from the compound but will still be charged the applicable fees by the Police.

Untaxed own or stock vehicles which are kept off the public road and registered SORN do not need to be notified to the MID but for insurance purposes and to fully protect yourself it is best practice to update the MID with all owned vehicles in your possession.

If you’re no longer the owner of a vehicle and have failed to remove it from your MID, your policy may become liable for a claim that that vehicle has. It will therefore have a negative impact on your insurance.

Motor traders should register their trade places on the MID in exactly the same fashion as they would a motor vehicle.

In most cases the Police should accept proof of ownership, a valid driving license and your current insurance certificate. However, every police officer is different and an increasing number wish to see a letter either from the broker or insurer confirming the registration and that the policyholder was indeed covered at the time of seizure.

There are various ways to update your record with vehicles for the Motor Insurance Database, this can be done through our website on the MID update page. If you have access to the internet via your smartphone visit this page mobile updates and add a link to your phone’s homepage so you can update your MID record whilst you’re out and about.

For Motor Trade Combined policies most insurers now request the policyholder update their MID record directly with them via the internet where a password and login are provided at inception.

If you have any problems regarding your MID Update please don’t hesitate to contact our office either by email to MID@planinsurance.co.uk or by phone directly to our customer services team on 0208 655 8207.

Please note that the Plan team are not authorised to add vehicles to the MID on your behalf.