UK-based victims of accidents abroad have to make their claims direct to the foreign insurer or, in the event of an accident with an uninsured or ‘hit-and-run’ driver, to the foreign equivalent of MIB.
In some European Economic Area (EEA) countries the MIB equivalent body only pays compensation to their own residents and to residents or nationals of other EEA countries in the event of an accident involving an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. MIB has signed reciprocal agreements with its equivalents in many such countries, under which both sides commit to continuing compensation for victims of accidents involving uninsured or hit-and-run drivers in their own country. Claims must be brought in the country where the accident occurred and any compensation will be assessed under the law and regulations of that country.
MIB is no longer able to consider claims relating to accidents caused by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers abroad. Where such accidents occurred before 31 December 2020, MIB will consider a claim only if proceedings were brought before that date.
- Government guidance: Driving abroad and Open 4th Directive claims
The MIB, acting as Information Centre, can give appropriate guidance and contact details of the relevant country’s Guarantee Fund which you will need to contact if you are involved in an accident caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.
If the accident was caused by an insured driver the insurer may have a representative in the UK, in which case the MIB will be able to provide their contact details.