AskMID check
Check if a car is insured
Verify a vehicle's insurance status using data from the Motor Insurance Database (MID). A quick way to confirm cover before buying or to check your own policy is active.
What is AskMID
The Motor Insurance Database explained
AskMID is the public interface to the Motor Insurance Database (MID), managed by the Motor Insurers' Bureau. It holds records of insured vehicles in the UK and is used by police, DVLA, and the public to verify insurance status.
Verify insurance status
Confirm a vehicle has active insurance before you buy or drive.
Avoid uninsured vehicles
Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in fines, points, or seizure.
Check your own cover
Make sure your insurer has registered your policy correctly.
Used by police and DVLA
The MID is the same database authorities use to check insurance.
Updated by insurers
Insurance companies are required to update the MID when policies start or end.
Part of your vehicle check
We include insurance status alongside finance, stolen, and MOT checks.
Why it matters
Why check insurance before buying?
A car without valid insurance can be a red flag. It may indicate the seller is not the registered keeper, the car has been off the road, or there are other issues to investigate.
Uninsured = risk
If the seller has no insurance, ask why. It could signal financial trouble or hidden issues.
Test drive cover
You need insurance to test drive. Check the seller has cover or arrange your own.
Handover protection
Make sure you have cover in place before you drive away with your new car.
SORN vehicles
A car declared SORN cannot be driven on public roads until taxed and insured.
Coverage
What our report includes
Insurance status is part of the full vehicle check, alongside finance, stolen, and history data.
Insurance checks
- Insurance status from the MID
- Whether the vehicle appears on the database
- Guidance on what the status means
Insurance data is provided by the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Full report coverage
- Outstanding finance checks
- Stolen markers (police and insurance)
- Write-off and salvage history
- Scrapped, import, and export status
- MOT history and mileage trends
- Keeper history and plate changes
FAQs