Why the industry must start to think and act differently about uninsured driving

For decades, uninsured driving has been one of the insurance industry’s most persistent challenges. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau was created to support victims of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, and we’ve made real progress in removing uninsured vehicles from our roads.

But each year, thousands of people are injured by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. The impact is life-changing for victims, their families, communities and the healthcare system, costing the UK around £1 billion annually.

Co-creation isn’t a buzzword. It’s essential if we’re going to deliver on the vision of making roads safer by ending uninsured driving for good. We can’t do this alone.

Angus Eaton, CEO of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau

This is the moment to be honest about what has worked and what needs to change.

We’ve made real progress over the years. But in recent times, that progress has plateaued. If we’re serious about ending uninsured driving, we need to think and act differently – 2026 is the first full year of delivery under our Accelerating to Zero strategy – our bold ambition to eliminate uninsured driving for good. For me, it’s about moving from ambition to action.

This isn’t about publishing a glossy strategy. It’s about clear commitments, delivery, and accountability.

Uninsured driving isn’t a single-issue problem. Some people knowingly make the decision to drive without insurance. Others fall out of cover or become at risk of driving uninsured through confusion, lack of awareness, or simple mistakes. Any credible solutions must address both intentional and unintentional reasons.

That means doing more to prevent uninsured driving before the financial and physical consequences. Better education, particularly for young and new drivers, and clearer communication about responsibilities can reduce unintentional uninsured driving. But prevention must be matched by deterrence.

For those who choose to drive uninsured, the consequences need to be meaningful. If the system does not reflect the seriousness of the risk they are taking, the behaviour will persist – and the human and economic cost will continue to rise.

That impact of Accelerating to Zero is already starting to show. Government plans to include measures on uninsured driving in the proposed Road Safety Strategy reflects extensive work during 2025 with industry and partners on the need for tougher action on uninsured and hit-and-run driving.

In 2026, the focus will shift to implementation – continuing to work with government to ensure those commitments translate into real change on the road.

Data also has a critical role to play. Poor quality or fragmented data makes it harder to identify uninsured vehicles, undermines enforcement, and increases exposure to fraud. Improving data quality and consistency across the industry is essential to success.

Data isn’t just an operational issue. It underpins trust, enforcement and prevention. Used well, it helps reduce risk before it turns into a claim. And it’s key that we work together with the industry to improve data quality across the sector.

Problematic challenges

Looking ahead, the industry also faces increasingly problematic challenges. Connected and self-driving vehicles are already entering the claims environment, raising complex questions about liability, responsibility and access to vehicle data. Without clear, future-ready frameworks, innovation risks introducing new uncertainty rather than reducing risk.

We have an opportunity to get ahead of this. By working together now – insurers, manufacturers, policymakers and regulators – we can make sure new technology improves road safety and delivers fair outcomes for victims.

None of this can be achieved by any single organisation. Ending uninsured driving is a long-term challenge and will require strong partnerships across the insurance industry, government and law enforcement, built on genuine collaboration rather than rhetoric.

Co-creation isn’t a buzzword. It’s essential if we’re going to deliver on the vision of making roads safer by ending uninsured driving for good. We can’t do this alone.

The impact of success would be significant: safer roads, fewer victims, lower costs and a system that better rewards those who play by the rules.

This is huge. But it’s achievable – and it’s worth it. If we get this right, we can leave a legacy that genuinely makes roads safer for everyone.