Motor Insurance Database - what is it?

AskMid, or the Motor Insurance Database, is a free online service for drivers in the UK that provides data about the status of their car insurance.

Driving without insurance is illegal, and the police regularly check for uninsured drivers out on the roads.

Therefore, it is essential to have valid insurance – even if it is for a short journey.

In this guide we look at AskMid, and its role for car owners across the UK.

What is AskMID?

AskMID is an online service provided by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) that allows users to check if a vehicle is insured.

It accesses information from the Motor Insurance Database (MID), which contains details of all insured vehicles in the UK.

Individuals can use the AskMID service to check if their own vehicle is insured before they get behind the wheel of a car. 

This service is free for checking your own vehicle.

However, in certain circumstances, such as after a road traffic accident, AskMID allows a third party to verify if another vehicle involved in the incident is insured. This comes with a small service fee.

It is a simple service. All a user needs to do is visit the AskMID, enter the vehicle registration number, and confirm the necessary details relating to the vehicle.

Drivers should use the service to help avoid penalties for driving uninsured and ensuring compliance with UK road laws.

• Car insurance groups listed and explained
• Is my car insured? How to check your vehicle’s status
• Driving without insurance – here are the consequences

AskMID insurance

The use of the AskMID service is used to verify whether a vehicle is insured according to the UK’s Motor Insurance Database (MID).

This database is maintained by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) and contains information about all insured vehicles in the UK.

This includes cars, motorbikes, and a range of other vehicles.

If you’re concerned about your insurance status, AskMID is a quick and reliable way to check.

AskMID MOT

AskMID and MOT are separate systems, but they both play important roles in ensuring vehicles on UK roads are roadworthy and legally compliant.

The Ministry of Transport test is an annual test for vehicle safety, roadworthiness, and emissions for vehicles over three years old in the UK.

A valid MOT certificate is legally required to drive a vehicle on UK roads unless the vehicle is exempt.

AskMID is specifically designed to check a vehicle’s insurance status, and will provide no data on MOT status.

In order to see this, you’ll need to visit the UK government’s website, enter the vehicle’s registration number., and then review the MOT expiry date and history.

How long does AskMID take to update?

After insurance details have been updated, it can take two to seven working days for the AskMID database to update to the latest information.