If you're injured by an uninsured driver or in a hit-and-run, you can still claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The MIB runs two schemes: the Uninsured Drivers' Agreement (driver identified but had no valid insurance) and the Untraced Drivers' Agreement (driver can't be identified, e.g. hit-and-run). You must report to the police and meet each agreement's notification rules; the usual three-year personal injury limit applies, but report and notify promptly.
Around one in ten drivers involved in collisions are uninsured or never identified, which leaves their victims facing serious injury with apparently no one to claim against. The UK has a safety net for exactly this: the Motor Insurers' Bureau. This guide explains the two MIB schemes, who they cover, and what you must do to make a valid claim.
One thing to be clear about from the outset: we are an independent information service, not a law firm and not a firm of solicitors. Nothing here is legal advice about your own situation. For that, speak to an SRA-regulated solicitor or use the official sources we signpost below.
What the Motor Insurers' Bureau is
The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) is a body funded by a levy on every motor insurer in the UK. Its job is to compensate people injured (and in some cases for damage) by drivers who were uninsured or who cannot be traced. It is the insurer of last resort, stepping in where there is no policy to claim against. The MIB also operates the Official Injury Claim portal on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, but its uninsured and untraced schemes are separate and governed by formal agreements with the government.
The Uninsured Drivers' Agreement
The Uninsured Drivers' Agreement applies where the at-fault driver is identified but had no valid insurance. In broad terms, the MIB steps into the shoes of the missing insurer and your claim is handled much like an ordinary road-traffic injury claim, valued the normal way (the whiplash tariff still applies to vehicle occupants). There are conditions to satisfy — including reporting and providing information — and some exclusions, so it pays to get the process right from the start. See our road traffic accident guide for the underlying claim.
The Untraced Drivers' Agreement (hit-and-run)
The Untraced Drivers' Agreement covers cases where the at-fault driver cannot be identified — classically a hit-and-run. Here the MIB itself investigates and decides the claim under the agreement's procedure rather than acting as a substitute insurer. You generally must have reported the incident to the police within the agreement's time limits and co-operated with enquiries. Because the process differs from an ordinary claim, and because evidence of a fleeting collision can be thin, prompt reporting and good evidence are crucial.
Reporting to the police and notification deadlines
⏳ Report promptly and notify the MIB
For both schemes you must normally report the incident to the police and meet the notification requirements in the relevant agreement, which can be tighter than the general claim deadline — particularly for untraced (hit-and-run) cases. The overall three-year personal injury limit under the Limitation Act 1980 still applies in England & Wales, but the MIB's own steps come first, so don't delay. See our time limits guide.
Why these claims often need care
MIB claims have more procedural conditions than an ordinary claim, and a misstep — missing a notification, failing to report, or not providing required information — can jeopardise an otherwise good claim. They can also involve disputes about whether the other driver really was uninsured or untraceable. For these reasons many people use an SRA-regulated solicitor, often on no win no fee, to navigate the agreement correctly. The injury itself is valued just like any other road-traffic claim — see our what compensation covers guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I was hit by an uninsured driver?
Yes. The Motor Insurers' Bureau compensates people injured by uninsured drivers under its Uninsured Drivers' Agreement. The MIB effectively steps into the place of the missing insurer, and your injury is valued the normal way, subject to conditions such as reporting and providing required information.
What if the driver drove off and was never identified?
You may claim under the MIB's Untraced Drivers' Agreement, which covers hit-and-run cases where the driver cannot be identified. The MIB investigates and decides the claim under that agreement's procedure. You normally must have reported the incident to the police within the time limits and co-operated with enquiries.
What is the Motor Insurers' Bureau?
The MIB is a body funded by a levy on every UK motor insurer that acts as the insurer of last resort. It compensates people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers and also operates the Official Injury Claim portal on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
How long do I have to make an MIB claim?
The general three-year personal injury limit under the Limitation Act 1980 applies in England and Wales, but the MIB agreements have their own notification and reporting requirements that can be tighter, especially for untraced drivers. You should report to the police and notify the MIB as soon as possible.
Do I need a solicitor for an MIB claim?
Not strictly, but these claims carry more procedural conditions than an ordinary claim, and missing a step can jeopardise a good case. Many people use an SRA-regulated solicitor, often on no-win-no-fee, to make sure the agreement's requirements are met correctly.
Get help from official, free sources
- GOV.UK — official guidance on injury claims, the courts and your rights
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial advice on making a claim
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) & The Law Society — check and find a regulated solicitor
- Official Injury Claim (OIC) — the free portal for lower-value road-traffic injury claims
- Civil Procedure Rules (justice.gov.uk) — the rules and pre-action protocols that govern claims