Update your MID

You can update your MID in the following ways:-

  • Update Online
  • Contact your insurance broker or the office where you took out the policy

About the MID

The aim of the motor insurers database is to reduce the incidence of uninsured driving in the UK, which currently costs the person who arranges insurance a higher premium.

To enable the relevant authorities to ensure each vehicle is insured. The Insurance Industry established a central database called the motor insurance database.
This has run for many years in relation to privately owned and specified insured vehicles, such as private motor, taxi and commercial vehicles.

In January 2003 the fourth EU directive was introduced which in addition to the requirements of the UK authorities required all members of the EU to retain on a central database all vehicles insured within that country to allow for any other member state to check the insurance of other member states. As a result of this the motor insurance database extended to include motor traders, fleet operators and any fleet type policy.

How to Update the MID Online

If you have a Tradex Insurance Services Policy you can update the MID online
Simply register for the facility and login via the “My Policy” section.

Information Required

To add a vehicle:

  • Vehicle Registration Number
  • Vehicle Value
  • Any Modifications to the vehicle
  • Vehicle Owner/Main User
  • Vehicle Alarm/Night Security

To delete a vehicle:

  • Vehicle Registration Number

Tradex Insurance Services will then submit your updates to the MID on your behalf.
Please ensure that all vehicles added are covered by your Tradex Insurance Services policy – see policy documents for details.

Tradex Insurance Services Motor Policies

Tradex Insurance Services automatically updates the motor insurers database with any vehicle insured with them on a specified vehicle policy. This also includes any fleet or fleet type policy since Tradex Insurance Services  do not provide any unspecified vehicle policy covers.
The exception to this is the motor trade policy.

Responsibilities

It is your responsibility to notify a vehicle to the MID. Failure to do so can result in your policy being cancelled, prosecution by the appropriate body which may result in a possible fine of up to £5000, and your details being recorded on the database as a defaulter.

Vehicles you need to disclose

Permanently owned vehicles for your Business and Pleasure

  • You are required to advise the details of any vehicle you own
  • Any stock vehicle you are using for the purpose of Social, Domestic & Pleasure
  • Any Trade Plate

This must include any additions, deletions or change of registration details.

Vehicles you do not need to disclose

Passing through vehicles

These comprise of:

  • Customer vehicles in your custody for a specific reason, i.e. repair/cleaning/servicing/sale or return/storage. The ownership remains with the customer and since he will be able to comply with the 4th Directive by identifying the dates the vehicle was in your custody or control, there is no need to disclose.
  • Your own stock vehicles for the purpose of sale or resale’s. This is a more difficult area to define as there is no need to disclose those vehicles which are in your possession for resale, or demonstration purposes under trade plates. But, should you decide to use any of these vehicles for your motor trade use without trade plates or for any personal use, then such vehicles must be disclosed.
  • Vehicles driven under Trade Plate regulations. But you must have disclosed all Trade Plate numbers to us as we are required to log these registration numbers with the MID.

You are required to maintain your own records and retain these details for a seven year period but do not need to advise on an “as and when” basis of any:
If you restrict your policy to customers only cover for motor trade use you can claim a discount in your premium.

MID FAQs

How can I update my Motor Insurance Database record?

There are various ways to update your record with vehicles for the Motor Insurance Database

Tradex Insurance Services Direct Customers

1. Tradex Insurance Services Website

Update your MID online via the “My Policy” section – click here to register 

2. Via your Broker

If you took your policy out with a Broker, then please contact the Broker direct

Tradex Insurance Services Brokers

1. Tradex Insurance Services Broker Website

Update your clients MID online via the “On Cover” section – click here to login
 
2. Refer your client to the Tradex Insurance Services direct website.
Your clients can register either on the Tradex Insurance Services Website – click here, or with the Trade Check SMS facility
 

– click here

How Can I Remove Vehicles from the Motor Insurance Database?

When you sell any vehicles, release possession or dispose of any, you must remember to update the MID.

Do not risk losing your no claim bonus, you may still be liable for a vehicle that has not been removed and be contacted about insurance claims that have nothing to do with you, especially if you’re proof of sale does not contain the full name and address of the new owner.

Failing to provide updates may also help uninsured drivers evade detection as the vehicle will be incorrectly linked to your insurance policy.

Can I Correct Vehicle Information on the MID?

The accuracy of the vehicle information you provide is vital. If you realise that some of your vehicle details are wrong please amend immediately. You can do this via the Tradex Insurance Services website or the Trade check facility. Simply delete the incorrect vehicle entry and then submit the correct details.

When was the Motor Insurance Database (MID) introduced & why?

European Legislation (4th Motor Insurance Directive) introduced in January 2003 requires that all Member States maintain a national database that contains details of every insured vehicle. These databases are designed to make it easier to pursue cross-border claims, and also help with the enforcement of compulsory motor insurance requirements in the UK.

Which Vehicles should be added to the MID?

All vehicles insured on your motor trade policy and all trade plates owned should be added to the MID including:

  • All Permanent vehicles registered to, owned by or leased to you
  • Temporary vehicles such as courtesy or short term hire vehicles
  • Customers’ vehicles whilst in your custody or control for your trade business
  • Other vehicles, irrespective of the duration, regularly covered under your policy for your motor trade business
The regulation states that vehicles must be updated immediately. It should therefore be done as soon as possible preferably on the same day.Untaxed stock vehicles (i.e. driven on trade plates) need not be notified but you can add them if it is easier for you to notify every vehicle.

When should the vehicles be updated?

In terms of your insurance cover you must notify the MID immediately of vehicles being used on the road and to ensure maximum benefit of your policy.

For your own protection we recommend when driving a vehicle that is not on the Motor Insurance Database you carry proof of your valid motor trade insurance. However be aware if the vehicle is not on the database and should they feel a need to, the Police are within their rights to impound your vehicle even if you are carrying proof of your valid motor trade insurance.

If I have a customer’s vehicle in my possession for longer than 2 weeks do I need to put it on my Motor Insurance Database record?

The policyholder should add a customer’s vehicle to the database if it is in the custody of the motor trader for a long period of time and certainly beyond 14 days.

If the vehicle I’m driving is not on the Motor Insurance Database but I have a valid insurance certificate will I be ok?

If the vehicle is owned by you and not included on the MID the insurer could decline all aspects of cover, also even with a valid certificate in your possession the Police could still impound the vehicle if it does not appear on the database. You will be able to retrieve your own vehicle from the compound but will still be charged the applicable fees by the Police.

If the vehicle is SORN do I need to put it on the Motor Insurance Database?

Untaxed own or stock vehicles which are kept off the public road and registered SORN do not need to be notified to the MID but for insurance purposes and to fully protect yourself it is best practice to update the MID with all owned vehicles in your possession.

Do I need to place my trade plates on the Motor Insurance Database?

Motor traders should register their trade places on the MID in exactly the same fashion as they would a motor vehicle.

If my vehicle is impounded by the police for not being on the Motor Insurance Database how can I get it released?

In most cases the police should accept proof of ownership, a valid driving licence and your current insurance certificate provided the vehicle was being used within the terms and conditions of your policy.

What happens at renewal time?

Tradex Insurance Services will send a current vehicle list at Renewal. It’s important that you check that this is correct and advise Tradex Insurance Services of any additions or deletions. You can do this via the Tradex Insurance Services Website or the Trade Check facility. Failure to carry out these actions means that the vehicle details may not appear correct after the renewal date of your policy and your vehicles will appear uninsured and notified to the police.