Not sure when your car insurance runs out? Or what cover you've actually got? You're not alone - but driving without it isn't just risky, it's illegal.
Even if you're on auto-renewal, it's easy to lose track of who you're with or even if you're covered to drive right now.
Here's how to check - just to be sure!
Is my car insured?
Not sure if your car's currently covered? That's alright. You can check using the Motor Insurance Database (MID). It's free, quick and tells you if your car is insured right now.
Just pop your reg into the askMID tool, and it'll show you if there's a valid policy in place.
Can I check the car insurance status of other cars?
You can - but only if there's been a bump.
There's a £10 fee, and you'll need to share:
- Your car registration plate
- The third party's registration plate
- The date of the incident
- Your involvement in the accident
- Your email address
How do I find out who my car is insured with?
Can't remember who you're insured with? It happens. Here's where to start:
- Check your bank statements. Look for payments to an insurer - then give them a ring to double-check.
- Check your emails. Try searching for keywords like 'car insurance' or 'policy' - you might find your welcome email or renewal reminder.
- Find your old quote. If you've used a comparison site, your policy might still be saved there.
- Request your info. You can send a subject access request to the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB). It's usually free, though there might be a small admin fee.
When does my car insurance run out?
You'll usually find the end date in your policy documents - that's your cue for when it's time to start thinking about a new deal.
If you know who your insurer is, you can always give them a quick nudge to check.
Most insurers send a heads-up about a month before your cover ends, usually by email. It's easy to miss, so have a dig through your inbox (and your spam folder while you're at it).
When the reminder drops, it'll probably include a renewal price - but don't take it at face value. Even if it looks good, a quick comparison could save you more.
Need a bit of breathing room while you decide? Temporary car insurance can keep you covered for anything from an hour to 28 days - so you're not left stuck or uninsured while you decide.
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How do I check my car insurance renewal date?
Just check your policy details or contact your insurer to ask.
Most car insurance policies now auto-renew automatically - which can be handy. It means you're less likely to end up uninsured by accident.
Auto-renewal means your cover will roll over unless you tell your insurer otherwise. The new policy usually lasts the same amount of time as before - most often 12 months.
Plenty of drivers don't realise this can happen, which is how people end up with 2 policies for the same car. One with the new insurer, and the other still ticking along in the background.
Besides being expensive and unnecessary, it could make things complicated if you need to make a car insurance claim.
What happens if my car doesn't have insurance?
For starters, it's illegal. Driving without insurance is an IN10 offence, and the conviction can mean higher car insurance costs in the future.
The police could also give you a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points if you’re caught driving a car you're not insured to drive.
And if the case goes to court? You could get an unlimited fine and be disqualified from driving.
The police can seize your car and in some cases, destroy it. And it doesn't matter if your car's just sitting in the garage - if it's not insured, it still needs to be declared off the road.
To do this, you'll need to register a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) with the DVLA. If you don't, you could face a penalty - even if you're not planning to drive.
Why should I check my car insurance?
As well as making sure you're legally allowed to drive your car, doing a car insurance check can help you understand your policy better.
It's worth scanning your policy to remind you of the level of cover you have. If you realise it’s not providing the cover you need it’s always possible to ask your insurance company to change it.
It’s also helpful to remind yourself of your car insurance excess and what you need to do in the event of a claim.
How do I check if my car is taxed and has an MOT?
With tax discs gone, there's no sticker on your windscreen to remind you when your car tax runs out. But checking online is easy-peasy.
Just enter your car registration number into the government’s Vehicle Enquiry Service, and you'll see:
- If the car's taxed and when it runs out
- If it has an MOT
- When the MOT is due
Can I tax and insure a car without an MOT?
To tax your car, you'll need a valid MOT certificate.
You don't need an MOT to get insured - but driving without one is illegal and could cause problems if you need to claim.
Your insurer could reduce your payout or even invalidate your policy. So, it's worth keeping an eye on that expiry date.
How can I save money on a new car insurance policy?
Insurance prices can go up and down - and if it's time to renew, you might be able to cut the cost by making a few simple tweaks. Here's what insurers look at when they work out your price:
- Your age and occupation
- What car you drive
- What car security you have
- How you use your car
- Your claims history and no-claims bonus
- The type of cover you need
We track prices to help you spot when they rise or fall. But if you're shopping for a new policy now, here are 5 things that could save you money:
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Increase your voluntary excess: You have the option of choosing to increase your voluntary excess. But you need to make sure you can afford to do so before deciding.
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Increase your car's security: The more security your car has, the less at risk it is. Make sure your car is always parked in a secure, well-lit car park and consider a steering lock. You can also add a tracker or alarm.
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Review how you use your car: Make sure the policy reflects how you use your car. If you commute to work or use the car for business, your costs could go up.
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Consider downsizing: Smaller cars tend to have cheaper car insurance. More expensive cars are also more at risk as they're more desirable to thieves.
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Consider your cover type: Third-party cover isn't always cheaper than comprehensive. It's worth looking at both.
For more information, check out our tips on how to lower the cost of your car insurance.
Who can drive my car?
Just because your vehicle is insured, it doesn't mean anyone can drive it.
Car insurance policies cover drivers, not cars. So, before letting someone drive your car - check your policy allows other drivers with their own comprehensive cover to drive your car.
If this isn't the case - no worries. You'll just need to add them as a named driver or get a temporary car insurance policy for them.
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