MID needs to start paying its way and produce benefits

The broking community may be forgiven for feeling that servicing the needs of the Motor Insurance Database is largely a one-way relationship producing few benefits for brokers or clients. Private motor brokers will also be feeling vulnerable to the additional administrative costs that will probably materialise when 15-day cooling-off periods encourage normally uninsured drivers to take out short-term insurance facilitating purchase of vehicle excise licences.

If the MID is to pay its way, it needs to be proactive in reducing the number of uninsured drivers on UK roads. This can only be achieved if the enforcement agencies act on the information that the MID can provide.

I suggest that providing local police forces with a monthly list giving details of persons cancelling policies with the new cooling-off period will help target their resources against likely offenders. If the idea has already been put forward, I am not aware of it.

Uninsured drivers are unlikely to bother brokers, knowing that abuse of consumer protection law might backfire on them. It should help reduce the number of hours spent on our roads by uninsured drivers and the consequent cost to society.

It is about time we, as brokers, had some real benefits to show for the work that we have done for the MID. By initiating such measures I would also take pleasure in letting my motor clients know that insurance brokers are doing their bit to help reduce the cost of cover.

G Skirrow, Skirrow Insurance Services.