UKI was involved in an accident and the other driver has no insurance.
If the other driver has no insurance, you may claim compensation from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) under the Uninsured Drivers Agreement — and it’s illegal for them to drive without insurance under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
What the Law Says
The law makes it a criminal offence to drive a motor vehicle on a road or public place without at least third-party insurance. If you’re injured or suffer loss due to an uninsured driver, special arrangements exist to ensure you can still seek compensation.
Under section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is illegal to use a motor vehicle on a road or other public place unless there is a policy of insurance covering liability for death or bodily injury to any person, and damage to property.
This requirement applies to all drivers — including those borrowing or leasing vehicles. Driving without insurance carries penalties including unlimited fines, disqualification from driving, and seizure of the vehicle.
Because uninsured drivers cannot pay compensation directly, the UK operates the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) scheme — a not-for-profit organisation funded by insured drivers — which compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.
Statutory TextA person must not use a motor vehicle on a road or other public place unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle such a policy of insurance… as will cover liability for death or bodily injury to any person.
— Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 143 — Use of motor vehicles on roads etc. without insurance
What to Do
Report the accident to the police within 5 days — especially if the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene.
Gather evidence: photos, witness details, registration number, and any dashcam footage.
Contact the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) as soon as possible — you usually have up to 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim.
Submit a claim using the MIB’s Uninsured Drivers Agreement form — they will investigate and may offer settlement or refer your case to court.
Consider legal advice — many solicitors offer no-win, no-fee representation for MIB claims.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.