What is the Motor Insurers’ Bureau?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) is the body that compensates people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers in the UK. It exists precisely for the situations where there is no insurer to claim against — so an e-bike rider hit by such a driver may still have a route to a claim.
Uninsured driver: the Uninsured Drivers Agreement
If the driver who hit you is identified but had no valid insurance, a claim can usually be made under the MIB’s Uninsured Drivers Agreement. In broad terms the MIB stands in the place of the insurer the driver should have had, and the claim is assessed much as an ordinary road-traffic claim would be.
Untraced driver: the Untraced Drivers Agreement
If the driver cannot be identified — a hit-and-run — a claim may be possible under the separate Untraced Drivers Agreement. This has its own procedure and its own time limits, which can be tighter than the usual court deadline, so it is important to act promptly and report the incident to the police.
What helps an MIB claim?
- A police report and crime or incident reference number.
- Anything that identifies the vehicle — even a partial registration.
- Dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage, and witness details.
- Medical records linking your injuries to the collision.
- Prompt reporting — delay can affect an untraced-driver claim.
How long do I have to claim?
The usual court limit for a personal injury claim in England & Wales is three years under the Limitation Act 1980, but MIB claims — particularly untraced-driver claims — run under the MIB’s own agreements and can have different, sometimes shorter, deadlines. Because of that, it is sensible to take advice quickly.