Askmid restrictions on checking insurance.

[TonyRPH]

I note that when you go to the "Check your vehicle" URL on the MIB site, you're presented with several warnings:

the vehicle is registered, owned or insured by you or your employer;
you're allowed to drive it;
or, you're an Insurance Broker or Agent acting on behalf of your client.

you are then informed that it's an offence to check a vehicle that does not meet the criteria stated.

What is the difference between checking if a vehicle you don't own is insured, vs. checking a vehicle you don't own for a valid MOT and tax?

As the DVLA has no such criteria. But if the MIB want to cite GDPR as the reason, then surely the same criteria applies to checking for MOT / tax?

I do note that you can check a third party vehicle on the MIB, however I also note that there is a charge involved.

Or are the MIB just looking to monetise as much as possible?

[trickywoo]

TonyRPH said:

I do note that you can check a third party vehicle on the MIB, however I also note that there is a charge involved.

Or are the MIB just looking to monetise as much as possible?

It’s strange that paying takes away any problems.

Equally it’s so open to abuse it makes no sense.

[Ian Geary]

I used ask mid the other day to check my cars were insured.

Mine - fine
Wife - mistyped the number (ncidentually, making me a criminal)

Put the correct reg in - sorry, you've had your two free goes, try again later.


Very odd. I use it infrequently but the mid people have obviously decided to monetarise it more, and stop whatever perceived loss of revenue they were facing.

Maybe it will keep car insurance premiums down ever so slightly? As it is not publicly funded AFAIK.