In the UK, having at least third-party car insurance is a legal requirement. Whether you drive daily or occasionally, it's your responsibility to ensure your vehicle is covered. Driving without valid insurance can lead to fines, penalty points, and even prosecution.

Here's how to check if your car is insured and what to do if you're not sure...

1. Visit AskMID- you’ll be redirected to Navigate, the new platform from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

2. Enter your vehicle registration number.

3. Review the result - it will confirm whether the vehicle is currently insured. It’s important to note that uploads to the MID can take time (up to seven days). There will be occasions when it is insured but not on the MID. Your Insurance Certificate confirms your cover.

If you can’t remember which insurer you're with, try the following:

• Check your emails for policy confirmation messages.

• Review your bank statements for recent insurance payments.

• Search your physical paperwork if you’ve kept a copy.

• Contact a broker, if you used one to arrange cover.

• Submit a Subject Access Request to the MIB for detailed policy information.

Sometimes, even insured cars don’t show up on the MID right away. It isn’t instant and can sometimes take a little time to show as insured.

Here are some of the possible reasons why:

• Delayed updates: It can take up to 48 hours (or longer) for your insurer to upload your policy.

• Incorrect registration details: A simple typo could prevent your car from being matched on the database.

• Recent policy start: If your insurance only started today, it might not appear until tomorrow or later.

As long asyou’ve received your certificate of insurance for the dates and times you specified, you are legally covered to drive.

Yes, UK police use the MID in real-time through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. If your vehicle isn’t listed on the database, you could be stopped and investigated, even if you’re genuinely insured. Showing your certificate of insurance can help clarify your status if the MID hasn't updated yet, so make sure it's easily accessible on your phone.

If you’re involved in a collision and need to check the other driver’s insurance status, you can use the Other Vehicle Look Up service provided by askMID/Navigate. There’s a small fee, and you’ll need:

• The other vehicle’s registration number.

• The date, time, and location of the incident.

• Your own vehicle details and contact information.

Yes, temporary car insurance policies do appear on the MID, but not always instantly. Depending on when your insurer submits the update, your cover might expire before it even shows on the database.

Still, your certificate of insurance is proof that you’re legally insured. Always keep a digital or printed copy available, especially when using short-term cover.

The MID typically updates multiple times per day, but it depends on your insurer. If your policy is new, allow up to 48 hours for it to appear. Some insurers update more frequently than others, especially those offering short term insurance.

Under Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) laws, every vehicle must be insured unless it’s been officially declared off the road (SORN). If your car isn’t listed, the DVLA may issue an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL), warning you of potential penalties unless you insure the vehicle.

After a few days your car should be showing as insurer on the MID. It can take a little longer over weekends or Bank Holidays in the UK, but it should be there eventually. If it's still missing after a few days then these could be some of the possible reasons, so get in touch with your insurer to make sure you're insured:

• Typo in the registration number

• Policy hasn’t started yet

• Delay in insurer updates

• Invalid or fraudulent insurance purchase

Always double check your policy information when taking out or renewing insurance to avoid or quickly fix any potential mistakes that could stop your car appearing on the MID.

Only under certain circumstances. If you've been in a road traffic incident, you can request the insurance status of another vehicle through the MID's Other Vehicle Look Up service. This is not a general-use tool and should only be used for legitimate, claim-related purposes.

Whether you drive daily, borrow a car occasionally, or just bought a new vehicle, confirming that you’re properly insured is crucial. Use the MID via Navigate to stay compliant and avoid penalties. If you are ever unsure, get in touch with the company you purchased your insurance through.