MIB Legal Expenses Scheme

Q1. Who are the providers of the cover?
A1. This insurance policy is administered by FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited and is underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC.

Q2. What is the involvement of MIB?
A2. The only involvement will be sending a copy of the claim form to FirstAssist when a claimant has indicated that they want to take advantage of the cover. FirstAssist will then contact the legal representative of the claimant and operate completely independently. The Bureau does not take any part in deciding how or why FirstAssist may elect to fund a case under the policy.

Q3. Where can the details of the policy terms and conditions be found?
A3. For full details of the policy terms and conditions please refer to the Policy Wording section of the MIB Legal Expenses Scheme site
(http://www.firstassistinsurance.co.uk/mibles/site/mib_policy_wording.pdf).

If you have further enquiries regarding the scope of cover please refer to FirstAssist Insurance Services Limited Bowling Mill Dean Clough Office Park Halifax HX3 5JA Tel No 08457 125357.

Q4. For which cases is the cover available?
A4. Claims made on or after the official launch date will be entitled for consideration by FirstAssist for legal expenses cover.

Q5. In which jurisdiction does the cover apply?
A5. England, Wales and Scotland.

Q6. Who should be contacted in the event of any query about the legal expense scheme?
A6. If the query is about the availability of the scheme prior to an application being made, please contact the MIB at enquiries@mib.org.uk. If the query relates to the provision of funding after application, or the detail of the policy wording, you should contact FirstAssist.

Q7. Do claimants have to use MIB Legal Expenses Scheme?
A7. No. If they already have a Before the Event legal expense policy then this will be used. If the claimant elects to take out an After the Event policy then it must be pointed out that when considering costs and disbursements the MIB may refuse to pay the premium and any success fee that may be claimed.

Q8. Does the legal expenses scheme apply to any MIB claims other than those under the Uninsured Drivers' Agreement?
A8. No. This is because there is a specified contribution to the cost of legal advice within the Untraced Drivers' Agreement.

Q9. What happens if the claim commences as uninsured and then becomes an untraced application?
A9. Subject to the facts of the case, MIB pays costs as agreed up to the date of the transfer, after which the scale contained in the Untraced Drivers Agreement will apply.

Q10. What happens if an insurer is located?
A10. The policy will continue in force and the terms accepted by the insurer.

Q11. If solicitors wish to contact FirstAssist what is the address?
A11. FirstAssist, Bowling Mill, Dean Clough, Halifax, HX3 5JA.

Q12 What is www.askMID.com?
A12. This is the service, developed by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) that helps solicitors, appointed representatives and members of the public to firstly find out for free if their vehicle appears on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) today and secondly for a fee find out the details of the other vehicle involved in an accident.

Q13. Who can have access to www.askMID.com?
A13. Members of the public, solicitors and appointed representatives. There is a one-off use section for members of the public who have a right to the information under the 4th EU Motor Insurance Directive.

Solicitors and appointed representatives may choose between one-off and unlimited use. Those preferring unlimited use will be given login details once registration is complete and accepted. Only organisations that can satisfy the MIB they represent Injured Parties, as a result of a Road Traffic Accident, will be able to register online to get unlimited use of www.askMID.com. The MIB will verify each application, and part of the process will involve the validation of the solicitor's Law Society membership number, and an organisation's FSA number or VAT number. Once registered, an account holder can make enquiries of the Motor Insurance Database (MID) via www.askMID.com.

Q14. How long does the account registration process for www.askMID.com take?
A14. All the necessary checks to complete registration and confirm access will take approximately three working days. The account will be activated on receipt of the annual administration fee of £150.

Q15. Is there a charge for using www.askMID.com service?
A15. Yes. One-off users will need to have a valid debit or credit card to use the service, which will cost £3.75.

Organisations opting to register for unlimited access will have to pay in advance, an annual administration fee of £150.

Q16. How will www.askMID.com system operate?
A16. Users will be asked to input the vehicle registration number and the accident date. Then askMID.com will confirm whether or not there is a record of insurance on the MID.

If there is a record of insurance, enquirers will be provided instantly with the details of the Insurance Company, policy number and claims contact details. In a few rare cases, the enquirer will be prompted for more details about the third party vehicle. A subsequent response will then be sent to the enquirer by email.

If there is no record of insurance on MID the enquirer will be notified instantly.

Q17. Does the legal profession support www.askMID.com?
A17. APIL and MASS have been involved in discussions regarding askMID.com and both support the MIB in the introduction of the askMID.com service.

Q18. Who should be contacted if there is any technical difficulty in accessing www.askMID.com?
A18. If you have any difficulties please contact the UKIC Team at askmidsupport@mib.org.uk, tel: 0845 165 2800.