Owning and running a car isn’t all about the wind in your hair, open roads, endless vistas, and romantic sun-sets by the sea. Sometimes you just need to attend to the boring stuff – like insurance, tax, and MOTs.
We’re here to help you save time (and maybe some cash) by introducing you to AskMID – the oracle of insurance – whether that’s temporary car insurance, or its big brother annual car insurance.
Take a pro-plus, and let’s explore AskMID.
What is AskMID
Before the days of Google, if you wanted to find stuff on the web you “Just asked Jeeves” – the search engine of the day. These days Google reigns supreme and (love it or hate it) for many people, the search for information starts there.
But no search engine knows who’s insured to drive in the UK, or what they’re insured to drive, or who they’re insured with. That’s where AskMID steps in.
AskMID is the public facing way of searching the Motor Insurers Database (MID) – which holds details of all cars that are insured to be used on UK roads.
Can I use AskMID to see if my car is insured
Absolutely you can. Just head over to askMID, tap in your vehicle reg, agree to their T&C, and in a heart-beat you’ll see whether your car is registered as insured in the UK. Simples. AskMID insurance checks are as easy as that.
AskMID doesn’t provide any more details than the insurance status for the vehicle that you entered, so it’s not much use in the event of an accident.
What happens if my car doesn’t show up on AskMID?
Don’t panic! First, check that you typed your reg in correctly. If your vehicle reg has been entered correctly, it may be that the database hasn’t been updated with your details yet. (see later question). If you have entered your reg correctly, you took your insurance out more than 2-3 days ago, and it’s not showing up, then give your insurance company a ring.
How long does it take for AskMID to be updated?
It generally takes 48 hours from the time that you take out insurance, though it can be as long as 7 days. Weekends, public holidays, lunar eclipses, and plagues of locusts can delay it.
This timing is particularly important when taking out temporary car insurance and temporary van insurance. These policies often start very soon after they’re bought, and can finish before the MID has been updated. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Simply download the Zixty app, and your policy documents are right there – should you need them.
Does AskMID cost me anything?
Nope. Not a bean if you just want to check your own car. You don’t pay anything extra when you buy a car insurance policy, and you don’t pay anything to look up your car.
Who pays for AskMID?
The insurance industry pays for the Motor Insurers Database and AskMID. It’s part and parcel of selling and administering insurance in the UK, and every insurer contributes. As a consumer you’re never charged, and you’ll never see a cost shown anywhere.
Can I use askMID to check if someone else’s car is insured?
Yes. There may be times when you need to know whether someone else’s car is insured – for example if you’ve been involved in an accident. This service is not free, and you’ll need to enter a lot more information. Head over to a different section of the AskMID website, and off you go.
Do the police use MID?
You’ll need to ask the police that question!
OK – yes, the police have access to the MID. So if you’re subject to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) or they stop you for another reason, their first port of call for information about your insurance will be the MID.
In case this happens, be sure to have downloaded the Zixty App before you set off, and you can show this to the police.
Does AskMID tell me about my MOT?
Nope – that’s down to the DVLA. We have a separate article about finding out your MOT status. AskMID MOT check? Computer says No.
Does AskMID tell me about my road tax?
Nope – that’s also down to the DVLA. We have a separate article about finding out your road tax status. AskMID Tax check? Sorry.
Continuous Insurance Enforcement
Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) is a regulation that requires all vehicles in the UK to have a minimum level of insurance at all times, unless they are declared off the road through a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This law is designed to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road.
Before the implementation of CIE, it was generally only illegal to drive without insurance. However, under CIE, it is an offense to be the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle, even if the vehicle is not being driven. Enforcement agencies may use databases to identify uninsured vehicles and can issue penalties to their registered keepers.
The penalties for failing to insure a vehicle can vary but often include fines, and in some cases the vehicle may be clamped, seized, or even destroyed. It can also result in a court prosecution.
The MID is a central part of the battle against uninsured drivers – who push up the premiums for all honest drivers.
Does AskMID go by any other names?
Not officially, but you may see it written as AskMID, Ask MID, Ask.MID. They’re one and the same.
That’s a wrap
So there you have it – all you could ever want to know about AskMID in one handy bit-size guide.
If you’re looking for a temporary car insurance from a company that puts tree planting and carbon offsetting at the forefront of its environmental activities, then why not check us out and Get a Quote.
