Making sure your car is insured is one of the biggest responsibilities of being a motorist.

Why is it important to check if my car insurance is up to date?

Under the Road Traffic Act, the Continuous Insurance Enforcement rule (CIE) makes it an offence to keep a vehicle without a valid policy of motor insurance in respect of that vehicle.

The exception to this rule is if your vehicle is kept off road and declared as SORN.

The CIE legislation was introduced to deter people who claimed that, whilst they owned a vehicle it was not actually being used, when in fact it was.

What penalties might I face if I am found to be driving without insurance?

If police detect you are driving without insurance, you could face serious penalties, including a £300 fine and 6 points on your licence.

Note, it’s very easy for police to carry out a carry insurance check on your vehicle; they can detect uninsured vehicles quickly with ANPR (automatic number plate recognition).

How to check car insurance in UK?

Is my car insured?

If this is a question that you are asking yourself, then you’ll be pleased to know it's easy to find out if your own vehicle is insured.

Just check the car insurance database, by visiting the Motor Insurance Database (MID) and enter your car registration number.

Via this car motor insurance database, you'll find out instantly if your car is insured.

How much does it cost to check the car insurance database?

Checking your car insurance status via this service is free of charge.

Don't leave things until the last minute

Most car insurance policies last a year.

There are some exceptions, such as short term insurance, or when you ask to leave a contract.

Car insurance lasts until 23.59 on the last day of cover. This means if you have a collision just a few minutes later, you won't be covered.

With this in mind, it's critical to know your car insurance renewal date and to ensure that your insurance is renewed ahead of time.

Are your other driving documents up to date?

Don’t forget, it’s equally important to have the appropriate road tax in place for your vehicle, and to ensure that your driving licence is up to date.

Unsure when you took out your car insurance?

Find and check your car insurance documents - they will display your car insurance details, including the start and end dates of your cover as well as the level of insurance that you have; Third party, Third Party Fire and Theft of Fully Comprehensive cover.
Contact your insurance provider - they'll give you all the information you need, and help with renewals if required
Check your emails - do a search for communications from your insurer

Ways to ensure you don’t forget to take out cover

Set up reminders for your car insurance renewal on your mobile or emails
Set up auto-renewal with your insurer (although you may end up paying more because you didn't get the chance to shop around for alternatives).

My car insurance has expired: what next?

You must not drive your car while you're uninsured.

You must get insured straight away.

If you're caught without insurance, you could face 6 penalty points and a large fine. You may also be forced to pay a higher premium for your insurance.

Is car insurance transferable from previous owners?

No. If you buy a second hand car, the previous owner’s insurance cannot be transferred to you.

You must purchase new car insurance cover in your own name.

Some dealers offer temporary insurance, which usually lasts a week. This lets you drive the car home legally - and gives you time to organise full cover.

What about if my circumstances change? Do I have to update my car insurance details?

Even minor changes to your vehicle or circumstances could affect the validity of your car insurance policy. Find out what your insurance provider needs to know - and when.

You should also inform your car insurance provider about any change in employment status.

What happens if someone claims against my car insurance?

It’s helpful to understand what happens when an insurance claim is made against you, so we’ve outlined the key details you should be aware of.

Could we help to save money on your car insurance?

In a bid to help you find cheaper car insurance quotes, we’ve teamed up with Cornmarket Insurance Services Ltd who have over 25 years’ experience in the insurance market, to provide you with special discounted rates on your car insurance, just for being a Start Rescue customer.