The MIB mission is to operate as a centre of excellence to:
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significantly reduce the level and impact of uninsured driving in the UK
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compensate victims of uninsured and untraced accidents fairly and promptly
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provide first class data asset management and specialist claims services
For the third successive year, MIB’s expenditure has decreased and levies have been returned to our Members. This is due to a combination of lower than anticipated level of claims payments and a continued reduction in new claims reported to the Guarantee Fund. In 2010, the actual payments made against the levy collected were £317m, some £80m lower than projected and £21m lower than 2009.
The use of the Motor Insurance Database (MID) by police to remove uninsured vehicles from the road with the assistance of the MIB Police Helpline, alongside public awareness of the consequence of driving without insurance is making a considerable difference to the overall levels of uninsured vehicles on our roads.
In 2011, the fight against uninsured driving in the UK will step up a gear with the single biggest change to compulsory third party motor insurance requirements since the 1930s, as Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) is formally launched in late-spring 2011.
After many years of working towards this fundamental change in the compulsory motor insurance requirements, the news that the Regulations became law on 4 February 2011 was greeted with considerable enthusiasm. MIB has worked closely with everyone involved to ensure that data suppliers are prepared in terms of delivering timely and accurate records to the MID.
Based on the success of the publicity achieved through the Stay Insured campaign launched in 2009 during the economic recession, the education and awareness campaign will be extended to support the launch of the CIE communications campaign which is being carried out in partnership with the DVLA, Department for Transport (DfT) and the insurance industry.
Many internal efficiency and quality initiatives have now been embedded across our customer services operation, as well as embracing the changes needed to support the Ministry of Justice reforms, which are designed to ensure the fast and efficient settlement of personal injury cases below £10,000. These improvements are reflected through the feedback received from customers, with the level of complaints received reduced again by over 11% from 2009.
Continuing individual development is crucial to the success of the organisation and MIB supports this through various managerial and non managerial training programmes. During the year we launched Insight@MIB, an interactive learning framework providing information of all learning opportunities available at MIB. This enables people in all areas and at all levels to work together to develop bespoke pathways of development.
MIB’s experience and knowledge is now also being utilised across other industry initiatives and this also helps to defray the cost of the levy. The managed services being provided at cost by two subsidiary companies, MIB Management Services Limited and Tracing Services Limited are aimed at adding value whist leveraging existing assets and resources.
Some of the major activities undertaken through the subsidiary companies include the development of an Employers’ Liability Database and management of the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO), management of RTA Portal Co Limited which supports aspects of the new MoJ claims process introduced in early 2010 and providing greater resilience and improved services for the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). It is anticipated that further similar arrangements will emerge during 2011.
While much has already been achieved to reduce the level and impact of driving without insurance in the UK, the industry and our key stakeholders will be keen to see further improvements in 2011 and beyond. We are in a strong position to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.
Ashton West, Chief Executive