Pulled over by Police as MID not updated by Swinton!

dacouch

chivers1977 wrote: »

Ask MID says XXXXXXX is on the Motor Insurance Database today????? But the policeman showed me the laptop which showed no insurance held......

Thats weird as its linked to the MID which is the system the police use.

It is sensible to just check on that website maybe twice a year to make sure your vehicle is on the MID to help avoid being pulled over by the ANPR cameras as mistakes do happen. (Before anyone says you should not have to check the MID yourself, I totally agree with you, I'm just recommending you do it to save the hassle

raskazz

chivers1977 wrote: »

"Quote What precisely are you going to complain about?" - would you be happy to be pulled over as a company has not done their job properly

Technically, as long as they supplied 95% of MID data within 7 days of effective changes, assessed over a rolling 3 month period, then they have fulfilled their obligations in relation to the database.

In any case, the only true confirmation of cover is a valid certificate of insurance.

minimoocow

Same happened to us and can confirm it was very stressful - number plate on certificate was wrong by one digit which caused all the issues. Police were actually quite nice and gave us a producer but when you have never been in trouble before and don't know what they might do it's not a nice feeling to be pulled over and told you're a criminal. Even though you know you've done everything correctly the computer still says no!

dacouch

I totally agree raskazz, only problem is I have come accross quote a few traffic police who work on the basis if its not on the MID its not covered, they will not even accept a Certificate of Insurance as they believe its probably cancelled hence why its not on the MID.

I've even had police impound a vehicle that was on the MID but was fleet rated so the driving restriction has a funny wording on the MID entry. My client rang me and the police would not believe me, I gave them the Insurers MID help desk and they would not ring that.

arealhighlander

Surely if AskMID says your on the database, Swinton have done nothing wrong and the problem was between MID and the Police??

You certainly cannot take the Certificate as definative proof of insurance. How many times on the Police reality shows have you seen people who have a valid certificate but they have either cancelled it or not kept up payments.

The only positive definate way to prove insurance is when the police speak directly to the Insurance company.

raskazz

arealhighlander wrote: »

How many times on the Police reality shows have you seen people who have a valid certificate but they have either cancelled it or not kept up payments.

Er, never - because in those situations they have produced a certificate but not a valid certificate.

dacouch

The Police often fall down a bit on the MID with Motor Traders as well, hopefully when they all become totally familiar with it the system will work well for everyone (Except uninsured drivers!)

lisyloo

Is it not sensible to have the insurance details in your car?
I keep some at home and some in the car.
I usually get several bits of paper e.g. renewal quotation, certificate, schedule, so there is usually enough paperwork to go around.

I'm very careful about carrying the minimum about of identifying information around e.g. I carry minimum credit and bank cards, but this seems like a case when it's jsutified carrying it around.

I always take my bike insurance too in my pocket along with my recovery document.

dacouch

The only problem with that Lisyloo is there are some police who even if youn show them your Certificate of Insurance will not accept it as proof if it does not show on the MID as being insured. They will either impound the car (At your expense even if you have valid insurance) or give you a producer. (Some will not even go to the bother of ringing your Insurers)

I've had clients that cannot get a vehicle out of some pounds when they produce a current covernote / letter of indemnity or certificate. Some of the pounds will not release a vehicle if it does not show on the MID when they check it. (There can be reasons why the vehicle would not show on the MID at that moment eg certain types of vehicle for a motortrader etc)

They work on the same basis as Raskazz pointed out.

Quentin

lisyloo wrote: »

Is it not sensible to have the insurance details in your car

If you keep insurance details in your car, and your car gets stolen, your docs do too. That could be quite useful for a thief!