askMID, or motor insurance database, is a free online service in the UK that provides information about a car’s insurance status. Your car’s details must be up to date on askMID, regardless of whether you’ve got annual cover or you’ve taken out a temporary car insurance policy.
We’ll explore the purpose of askMID, who needs to use it and how you can check your details.
What is askMID used for?
It’s a legal requirement for all vehicles to have a valid insurance policy unless a car has been declared as SORN. Details of all car insurance policies are stored on a central database called askMID (motor insurance database). This information is provided by vehicle insurance companies.
The motor insurance database is predominantly used by the police to check that a vehicle has the correct insurance. If a car is found to be uninsured, then a driver can be penalised with a fixed penalty of £300, six penalty points and, if the case goes to court, can even be disqualified or given an unlimited fine.
Does my car need to be on the motor insurance database?
Every vehicle on the road should be included on askMID, regardless of the type of insurance policy you’ve taken out. But, if you’ve just taken out a new insurance policy, you might need to allow a bit of time for it to show on the system. Insurance companies should regularly update details so if it’s not immediately showing the correct details, you usually don’t need to worry but make sure you have your policy document to hand.
Can I drive my car if askMID hasn’t been updated?
If you’ve taken out a valid insurance policy, whether annual or temporary car insurance, and you’ve provided the correct details, then there’s no reason why you can’t drive the vehicle, even if the motor insurance database hasn’t been updated.
Many drivers worry about being stopped by the police in this situation but, as long you have the right documents to prove that the car is insured, then you needn’t panic. Documents can be in paper form, or, more commonly, a digital certificate that’s been sent to your email.
Who’s responsible for updating the motor insurance database?
Car insurance companies are responsible for updating the system when a driver purchases a new policy. But as the driver, it’s your responsibility to provide the correct details when you buy your cover. Any mistake such as an error in the car’s registration number or a wrong address can cause issues with updating askMID.
How often does askMID update?
The motor insurance database is regularly updated but how long it takes askMID to update depends on your insurance company. Most providers typically update the MID within a few hours or days. In some cases, it can take up to one week for a new insurance policy to register on the system. If you’re worried that your details are missing, you should contact your insurance company to check that your details are accurate.
Does askMID update on weekends?
While you can check the system at any time and on any day, insurance details might not be updated by the company at the weekend. Some providers might choose to only update the motor insurance database during normal working days and hours. This might mean that if you buy a policy on Saturday, for example, the new details might not show until Monday.
What time does askMID update?
AskMID can be updated with new car insurance details thousands of times an hour but the exact time a new policy will show on the database is down to the individual insurer. You can check the system at any time to find out the insurance status of your vehicle.
Does temporary car insurance show on askMID?
Yes, no matter what type of vehicle insurance policy you take out, your provider will need to update the motor insurance database. Temporary car insurance is no different so you can expect your insurer to add those details soon after you’ve purchased your policy.
In some cases, if you take out temporary car insurance for a short period such as one day, your policy might end before the provider has had the chance to update the system. But rest assured, you’ll still be insured as per your policy and insurance certificate. Just make sure you have it to hand in case you’re asked for it by the police.
How do I check my details on askMID?
It’s easy to check the insurance status of any vehicle on the UK motor insurance database. All you need to do is enter the vehicle’s registration number and it will provide details on whether or not it is insured. Bear in mind that if your car is showing as uninsured but you’ve recently purchased a policy, you might just need to wait a little longer for it to appear on askMID.
It’s also important to note that the MID only provides information about whether a vehicle is insured or not and doesn’t include details of covered drivers. It’s your responsibility to check that you, as the driver, are fully insured to drive the car.
What should I do if my car is not listed on askMID?
If you’ve recently purchased an insurance policy for a vehicle and your details have not been updated after a few days to a week, you should get in touch with your provider to check that the information is correct. You should have a copy of your insurance certificate, so make sure you carry this with you as proof of cover, should you need it.
Can I contact askMID to update my vehicle details?
The only people who can update the motor insurance database are insurance companies, some brokers and some fleet, commercial or motor trade policyholders. As a driver, you’re unable to directly update the system but your insurance company should help if you’re having problems accessing your vehicle information.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is askMID always right?
The system is as accurate as the information it’s been given. So, as long as your insurer has updated the system with the correct details, the database should be right. If you do notice any errors, you’ll need to speak to your insurer to update your details as your policy might not be valid.
Sometimes the motor insurance database can show incorrect information because there has been a delay in an insurer updating it after purchasing a new policy. It’s usually recommended to wait a few days to allow this to happen before contacting your insurance provider.
Does askMID know if you have no insurance?
If you fail to have a valid policy, whether temporary car insurance or annual, your vehicle will show on the system as not being insured. If you’re caught driving with no insurance you could be issued a fine and penalty points. If you’ve recently purchased a policy, it’s a good idea to keep it to hand in case you’re stopped by the police for any reason, just in case there is a delay in the system being updated.
Does learner insurance show on askMID?
Yes, any insurance policy on a vehicle is registered on the motor insurance database. So, whether you have learner driver insurance, temporary car insurance or annual policy, the information will be visible on the system.
Does askMID know who’s insured on a vehicle?
ASKmid can only provide information on whether the vehicle is insured, not who the policy belongs to. But, as it’s illegal to drive a car without a valid insurance policy, you’ll need to make sure you’re covered for the vehicle you’re driving.
Can askMID tell me when my car insurance runs out?
While the database can provide information about whether a vehicle is insured, it can’t provide details of when your policy runs out. If you’ve taken out temporary car insurance, your certificate of insurance should state the end date, or you can get in touch with the company if you’re unsure. If you have annual insurance, your provider will usually send you a reminder when your policy is up for renewal, or you can contact them to find out.
