Let’s say you’re sitting at a stop light, calmly waiting for the green light, when you’re unexpectedly slammed from behind, resulting in major whiplash and likely vehicle damage. You get out of your car after pulling over to the side of the road to inspect your vehicle and speak with the driver who hit you.
Your car’s back end has been crushed in, and you’re anticipating a trip to the doctor for your aching neck. The at-fault motorist appears distressed, and when you ask for their insurance information, they say they don’t have any.
There’s no need to fear; simply follow these guidelines if you’re involved in a collision with an uninsured driver:
Call the police
It’s usually a good idea to call the cops if you’re in a car accident, regardless of whether the other driver has insurance or not. Calling the police is even more vital if you’re dealing with an uninsured driver, because their report will assist you have your expenditures covered and the claims procedure go more smoothly.
Don’t accept money
Because the other driver does not have insurance, they may try to pay you money in order to escape legal consequences. You have no clue how much your damages or injury costs will be at this stage, so hold off on accepting money, even if it sounds like a good offer.
Swap information
You’ll still want to acquire their contact and car information, even if they don’t have insurance information to give you. Remember to obtain the contact information of any witnesses, since their statements may be useful during the claims procedure.
Gather details
Get the make and model of the car involved, as well as the time and place of the collision, as well as the name and badge number of the officer who responded. Make a list of any information you think may be useful when dealing with your insurance company.
Take pictures
You’ll want to document any damage to your car and the other vehicle, as well as the other driver’s VIN number, license plate, traffic signals, and direction of travel. All of these are crucial details to keep in mind while filing a claim.
How do I report an uninsured driver?
If you think a driver does not have insurance, it is always a good idea to report it to the authorities, whether you have fully comprehensive or third-party insurance. In the long run, if the number of uninsured drivers on the road is reduced, rates may be reduced. It also reduces the likelihood that other drivers may be involved in a collision with an uninsured driver.
To report an uninsured driver, go to the website of your local police department and look for the reporting page. Some websites have pages dedicated to reporting uninsured drivers, while others offer ‘Live Chat’ features that allow you to submit a report immediately.
To identify uninsured drivers, the police can use the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which has a list of every single auto insurance policy on the system. When a motor insurance policy is purchased in the United Kingdom, the insurance provider is required to input the information into the MID. If a policy is cancelled or lapses due to non-payment of premiums, they must include a notice.
What happens if you let someone uninsured drive your car?
When someone asks to borrow your car, what should you do? Here are some questions to consider before handing over your car keys.
- Is this circumstance covered by your insurance policy? Make sure you understand the details of your insurance policy and how it operates by reading it thoroughly. What is covered, as well as any restrictions or exceptions, should be listed in your insurance. Insurance plans can be complicated, so if you’re still unsure about what yours covers after reading it, call your agent for clarification.
- Is the driver covered by his or her own insurance? Allowing an uninsured motorist to operate your car is dangerous. If the individual using your car has their own insurance, it might pay the costs if they get into an accident. Even if your policy covers you in the event of a collision, your insurer may ask your friend’s insurer to refund some of the costs. Your choices in the event of an accident will be limited if your acquaintance does not carry insurance. If your friend causes damage that exceeds your policy’s limits, you may be responsible for the remaining costs and potentially sued.
- Is the guy who is driving your car from another state? Auto insurance rules differ from one state to the next. Some states, for example, may not mandate minimal liability coverage, leaving the other driver uninsured. Even states with minimum coverage requirements may have lower minimums than your state, implying that the other motorist may be underinsured in the event of a catastrophic collision. Make sure that an out-of-state driver’s insurance coverage covers them in your state, as well as that your policy covers out-of-state drivers who use your vehicle.
- How frequently will the person use your vehicle? If a driver isn’t a family member but will be driving your car frequently, consider adding them to your insurance policy. If you have a roommate or nanny who drives your car frequently, for example, including them on your policy will provide you peace of mind if they get into an accident while driving your car.
- Is this person capable of driving? If you allow an inexperienced or unfit driver drive your automobile, you may be held accountable for any injuries or damage they cause. If you’re intoxicated, an unlicensed or novice driver, or have a history of dangerous driving, don’t lend your car to them.
What happens when someone doesn’t have insurance?
Every day, unsuspecting drivers are involved in car accidents. You’re driving along, minding your own business, when you’re suddenly smacked by another vehicle. They aren’t paying attention to the road because they are on the phone, arguing, or chatting to their children, or they aren’t obeying the regulations of the road. Whatever the case may be, they are to blame for the mishap. The police will arrive at the accident scene and submit a report. If the accident occurred in a state without a no-fault insurance system, this report will identify who is at-fault, which is the motorist who is accountable for the damages and injuries sustained during the collision.
The police are dispatched to the scene of the accident, statements are taken, and insurance information is exchanged. When you reach home, you phone the insurance company the other driver listed as their own, only to discover that they no longer have a policy with them since it has either lapsed or been terminated due to nonpayment. It’s a depressing discovery, and you’re left wondering what you can do in the interim. Isn’t it true that someone else has to pay for the harm because they caused it?
Certainly not. It is your responsibility to pay for the damage caused by the other driver if they do not have insurance. If you have uninsured driver coverage, you will call your insurance provider to file a claim, and they will pay for your medical bills as well as any damage to your automobile that requires repair. After that, the insurance company goes after the other motorist for reimbursement for the collision. The other motorist, in most cases, is unable to pay for the damages. They are most likely unable to buy insurance, which is why they allow it to lapse or expire.
Lawsuits
As long as you do not live in a no-fault state, you have the option of filing a lawsuit. The other driver will be sued in court as a result of this litigation. There is a minor issue with this, however: the other driver is unlikely to be able to pay you regardless. In most states, you can only sue the other motorist if you have suffered serious injuries. This means that bringing a lawsuit to have your car fixed for $3,000 won’t be enough unless you have a lot of medical bills and severe injuries.
Unfortunately, even if you win a case against the at-fault driver, it won’t help you. Even if you win the case and the at-fault motorist is found guilty, there’s no assurance you’ll ever receive any money from them. The court may place a lien on their property, requiring them to pay you first before pocketing any profit. This isn’t an option if they don’t own a home. You might never see anything because there are so many restrictions in place for those who cannot afford to pay.
Carrying uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is the greatest way to protect yourself in the event of an accident caused by a driver who does not have insurance. If you’re not sure if this is enough and want to learn more about your legal choices, contact a Los Angeles Car Accident lawyer to learn more about your legal alternatives in the event of a car accident. Calling an attorney after an accident allows you to pursue damages more quickly, and it allows us to present you with your alternatives right away. When the other driver does not have insurance, there isn’t much you can do, but you do have rights that you can exercise if this happens to you during an accident.
Is it an offence to drive without insurance?
Driving or parking a car on a public highway without insurance is illegal; the law mandates that a driver have at least third-party insurance. If you are convicted of driving without insurance, you could face an indefinite driving ban or 6-8 penalty points. A fine of up to £5000 will be imposed by the Court as well. Call our 24 hour hotline on 01616 966 229 for guidance on driving without insurance.
If a vehicle owner allows another person to drive their car when they are aware that the vehicle is uninsured or that proper insurance is not in place, they may be prosecuted with driving without insurance. The DVLA has recently begun prosecuting registered owners of vehicles who have neglected to insure or declare their car SORN. You could be fined up to £1000 for this offense.
Is driving uninsured a criminal offence?
Driving without insurance is a serious offense that can result in thousands of dollars in fines, as well as a driver’s license suspension or penalty points.
Any person driving a vehicle must have at least third-party insurance in order to do so. A driver should also make certain that his or her insurance covers the proper type of use.
The majority of consumers get insurance through a broker over the phone or on the internet. This type of insurance is frequently referred to as ‘instant’ insurance. Driving your vehicle before receiving a copy of the real insurance certificate is technically illegal, but in practice, most insurers deliver a copy of the insurance certificate via email as soon as the policy is taken out.
Driving without insurance is considered a complete offense for which there is no justification. If you are caught driving without insurance, however, you should contact JMW’s skilled solicitors to learn more about your choices and what you should do next.
When permitting someone else to drive your vehicle, you must also be extremely cautious. It is your job to make sure they have a valid insurance policy that allows them to drive your car.
If you are found guilty of allowing or permitting someone else to drive your car without insurance, you will be punished as if you had driven without insurance yourself.
What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident without insurance UK?
Uninsured drivers face a fixed penalty of £300 and six penalty points if they are discovered driving a car that they are not insured to operate. If the case proceeds to court, you could face the following penalties: an unlimited fine. driving privileges revoked
How many points do you get for no insurance?
The courts take a harsh position against drivers who are accused with driving without insurance, and it is considered a strict liability offense in which you either had proper insurance at the time of driving or didn’t. This offense has a penalty of 68 penalty points in addition to a fine.
Can police see who is insured on a car?
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can quickly determine whether a car is insured by reading number plates and comparing them to a database of covered vehicles at the Motor Insurance Database (MID). The MID is a database that holds information on all insured automobiles in the United Kingdom. A car is not insured if it is not included in the MID (unless the database has incorrect information, which can happen).
Police officers who pull over a car they suspect is uninsured have the option of calling the MID police helpline to clarify the driver and vehicle information. Unfortunately, the MID police helpline’s hours of operation have been curtailed, and they are now only open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you believe you are insured but the information are not shown in the MID, the police can call your insurer.
Where are ANPR cameras located?
Inside police vehicles (where a camera scans vehicles in front) and at fixed points, ANPR cameras are installed (where cameras scan all passing cars).
What happens when police seize your car for no insurance?
Driving a vehicle without insurance carries a fixed fine of £300 and six penalty points, or if the case goes to court, you might face an infinite fine and be prohibited from driving.
Can police check insurance details?
Police use number plate recognition cameras to determine whether or not a vehicle is insured. If you’re pulled over and requested to show your documents, you have seven days to give an up-to-date insurance certificate to the cops.