Over the last 80 years, we’ve achieved a great deal as an organisation in managing claims and tackling the wider uninsured driving problem. But we know that in simply managing claims, we’re not dealing with the problem early enough because uninsured drivers still wreck lives. And it’s getting harder to solve.
It’s an ambitious strategy but we believe that in five years’ time we will be able to look back and be proud and excited that we’re much closer to ending uninsured driving.
We know that in managing claims we’re not dealing with the problem early enough. Despite all our good work so far, uninsured driving still costs £260m a year and we estimate there are over one million uninsured vehicles on our roads every year.
Historical insight tells us that uninsured drivers are more likely to speed, more likely to have a defective vehicle, more likely to be a convicted drink-driver, and more likely to be involved in a fatal collision. So, getting those who are knowingly driving uninsured off our roads doesn't just get rid of uninsured driving, it makes roads safer. For you, for your family, for everyone.
We also know not everyone is intentionally driving uninsured. We want to help people correct their mistakes before it’s too late because the consequences can be severe.
A key part of Accelerating to Zero is doing more in education and the prevention of uninsured driving, not just enforcement.
No one whose life has been changed by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver should be left without the support they deserve, so we will handle all claims efficiently and compassionately.
We have made huge positive steps in recent years in handling claims. We now have the lowest number of open cases – which in simple terms is victims waiting for support – than we’ve ever had. 80% of people rate the service they get from us either 9 or 10 out of 10.
We provide help for 35,000 people every year to get support for injuries caused by uninsured or untraced driving. Support that, without us, would be so much more difficult to access and stressful.
While Accelerating to Zero is about shifting our focus to becoming an organisation whose priority is to reduce uninsured driving, we must make sure we continue to deliver the excellent claims service we have established.
But it’s more than that. We will build deeper claims capability and offer claims services to members in the UK and internationally so they can benefit from our growing expertise.
In simple terms, our ambitions for Accelerating to Zero will not succeed if it’s not underpinned by data.
If data drives everything, we’ll be able to deepen our claims capabilities, provide a better experience for customers, prevent more fraud, reduce data risk across the insurance industry and – most crucially – support the work in making powerful shifts to end uninsured driving.
This is our opportunity to become the most trusted source of reliable, secure and timely data by the insurance industry and law enforcement agencies. We have to take it.
Connected and autonomous vehicles are already here. And one day – not in the distant future – they will be the norm. This transition presents challenges, such as growing cyber and privacy risks, acts of terrorism and shifts in liability.
We must play a key role. We need to help mitigate our members' exposure to new risks. We will promote fair attribution of liabilities between MIB, motor insurers and vehicle manufacturers.
The government wants our expertise to ensure these technologies are brought onto our roads as safely as possible. That’s means we can play a crucial role in one of the most significant technological revolutions over the next decade.
And we should not forget that data in connected vehicles can enable new opportunities to prevent uninsured driving and help us make significant breakthroughs on hit-and-run driving.
Provide managed services to partners in relevant areas
Contribute to any market-led motor and non motor initiatives
Become relentlessly efficient
Kevin’s day took a devastating turn when a motorcycle ride to Bridlington ended in a serious collision with an uninsured van driver, leaving him trapped under the van for more than an hour with multiple severe injuries including a collapsed lung, broken shoulder and fractured eye socket. Kevin endured a long hospital stay, followed by complications including sepsis and emotional distress. His recovery was challenging, both physically and mentally, but with the support of MIB, Kevin accessed private healthcare, therapy, and support for his mental health.
Kevin says: “I did think a lot about my future. I had plenty of time. 'How can I make a living in this state?' I was worried about that. I was worried about what people would think of me. 'Am I gonna make it?' I actually came out of hospital in a wheelchair.
“I do get upset when I’m trying to reach something with my arm and I will just go, ‘Why me?’ I can’t lift something out of the cupboard because of his stupidity.”
Despite ongoing struggles in the years that have followed, he has found new purpose as a comedy improv performer and creative writing group leader, crediting MIB’s support for helping him rebuild his life.
To learn more, please contact us via CustomerEnquiries@mib.org.uk or find us on social media.