Most car accident claims follow a familiar pattern. You swap details with the other driver, their insurer accepts responsibility and your car gets repaired. But what happens when the other driver has no insurance, or doesn’t stop at all?
Being hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver is one of the most frustrating situations a motorist can face. The good news is that you aren’t left without options. This guide explains how car accident claims work in these cases, what evidence you will need and how to get your car back on the road.
Uninsured vs Untraced: Why the Difference Matters
These two situations are handled differently, so it helps to know which one applies to you.
An uninsured driver is someone you can identify, usually because you have their registration number, name or address, but who had no valid insurance at the time of the accident.
An untraced driver is someone who can’t be identified. This is the classic hit-and-run: the driver leaves the scene and neither you nor the police can find out who they were. It can also include a driver who gave false details at the scene.
The route your claim takes, and what you can recover, depends on which category the other driver falls into.
What Is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is a body funded by UK motor insurers to compensate people who are injured or suffer losses because of uninsured or untraced drivers. It is often described as a fund of last resort. That means if any other insurance policy can cover your losses, the MIB will expect that policy to pay first.
The MIB runs two separate schemes:
- The Uninsured Drivers’ Agreement, for accidents where the driver is known but uninsured.
- The Untraced Drivers’ Agreement, for hit-and-run accidents where the driver can’t be found.
Claiming Against an Uninsured Driver
If you have the other driver’s details but they turn out to be uninsured, you can usually claim for your vehicle damage and other losses through the MIB. The MIB will investigate and deal with the claim in a similar way to a normal insurer.
Check your own policy first. Many comprehensive policies include an uninsured driver promise. If you can provide the other driver’s registration and details, your insurer may refund your excess and protect your no-claims bonus, as long as the accident wasn’t your fault. It is worth checking your policy wording before deciding which route to take.
One important exception: you can’t claim through the MIB if you knew, or should have known, that the driver was uninsured, for example if you were a passenger in their car.
Claiming After a Hit-and-Run
Hit-and-run claims are more restricted, particularly for vehicle damage. Under the Untraced Drivers’ Agreement, claims for damage to your car are generally only accepted where you also suffered a significant personal injury, and an excess applies. If the accident caused vehicle damage alone, the MIB is unlikely to cover it.
This is where your own policy becomes important. If you have comprehensive cover, you can usually claim for the damage through your own insurer. Whether this affects your no-claims bonus will depend on your policy, so it is worth asking before you proceed. Our guide on who pays for what after a crash explains how responsibility for costs is usually worked out.
The Evidence That Makes or Breaks Your Claim
With no other driver or insurer to deal with, evidence carries even more weight. The more you can gather, the better your chances of a successful claim.
A police report. If the other driver didn’t stop or give details, you are legally required to report the accident to the police as soon as possible and within 24 hours. A crime or incident reference number is essential for any MIB claim.
The registration number. Even a partial plate can help the police trace a driver, which may turn an untraced claim into an uninsured one.
Dashcam footage. Save it straight away before it gets recorded over.
CCTV. Ask nearby shops, homes and businesses as soon as possible. Many systems overwrite footage within days.
Photos of the scene and damage. Take them from several angles, including the road, any debris and the position of the vehicles.
Witness details. Names and phone numbers from anyone who saw what happened.
Medical records. If you were hurt, get checked by a doctor and keep a record of every appointment.
If your car was hit while it was parked, our checklist for when someone hits your parked car covers exactly what to do.
Time Limits Are Tighter Than You Might Think
MIB claims have their own deadlines, and some are much shorter than the usual limits for car accident claims. Vehicle damage claims under the Untraced Drivers’ Agreement must be made within months rather than years. The safest approach is to report to the police immediately and start your claim as soon as you can.
Will You Get a Courtesy Car?
This depends on the route your claim takes. If you are claiming through your own comprehensive policy, check whether it includes a courtesy car and what conditions apply. Our article on insurance repairs and your courtesy car explains what you are actually entitled to.
How Infiniti Motor Group Can Help
Being hit by a driver who is uninsured or who drives away is stressful enough without trying to work out the claims process on your own. At Infiniti Motor Group, our accident claim management team can help you work out the right route for your claim, gather the evidence it needs and deal with the insurers on your behalf.
Our insurance-approved bodyshop in Barking carries out full accident repair using manufacturer-approved methods, so your car is returned to its pre-accident condition. For more on what to expect when the accident wasn’t your fault, take a look at our non-fault accident management guide.
If you have been hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, call us on 020 8798 2590 and we’ll talk you through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim if a hit-and-run driver damaged my car?
Usually through your own comprehensive policy. The MIB only covers vehicle damage from untraced drivers in limited circumstances, typically where you also suffered a significant injury.
Will claiming for an uninsured driver affect my no-claims bonus?
Not always. Many comprehensive policies protect your no-claims bonus if you can identify the uninsured driver and the accident wasn’t your fault. Check your policy for an uninsured driver promise.
Do I need to report a hit-and-run to the police?
Yes. If the other driver didn’t stop or give details, you must report it as soon as possible and within 24 hours. You will need the police reference number for any claim.