It was a Sunday afternoon in September when I popped round to my mum’s. I’d parked outside her house, like I’ve done countless times before, and was about to head home when I heard a deafening crash.

I ran outside and saw two men climbing out of a car that had smashed into mine at high speed. Before I could even process what had happened, they jumped into another vehicle and sped away.

00:07

Media caption,

The shocking moment that Richie’s car was hit at high speed by an uninsured driver

The sound was horrific.

Later, when I saw a neighbour’s doorbell footage, I could see how fast the red car was going before it hit mine. My car was completely written off, even though it was safely parked on the street.

At first, I was relieved that no one was hurt, but then the reality kicked in. I called the police, and when they ran a check on the vehicle, they told me the driver had no insurance. My heart sank.

Image source,Richie Anderson
Image caption,

“When you buy car insurance, most of us glance over the paperwork, pay the premium, and forget about it. I was the same, but after my crash I learned about something called an ‘Uninsured Driver Promise’.”

The shock of being hit by an uninsured driver

I’d assumed my insurer would handle it all, but that’s not how it works when the other driver has no policy. My insurer explained that, usually, costs are claimed back from the at-fault driver’s insurance. But with no insurance in place, it became much more complicated.

It told me I’d need to gather proof that the accident wasn’t my fault before I could get a payout or even a hire car. The third-party hire company refused to help because it couldn’t recover the costs. I didn’t think that was fair, but it left me without transport for weeks, and I had to turn down work while I sorted everything out.

What I wish I’d known about the ‘Uninsured Driver Promise’

When you buy car insurance, most of us glance over the paperwork, pay the premium, and forget about it. I was the same, but after my crash I learned about something called an ‘Uninsured Driver Promise’.

Not all insurers offer it, but if yours does, it means that if you’re hit by an uninsured driver and it’s not your fault, your no-claims discount stays protected, and your car will be repaired or replaced as long as you can prove you weren’t to blame.

Thankfully, my policy included this clause, but I’d never noticed it before. It saved me a lot of stress in the end, and I’d urge anyone reading this to check if your insurer includes it.

Image source,Richie Anderson
Image caption,

The law says every driver in the UK must have car insurance, but there are still around 300,000 uninsured vehicles on our roads every day. If you’re not covered, you could be left seriously out of pocket.

If you only have third-party insurance and are hit by an uninsured driver, you might still be able to claim for damage or injury through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which is a fund paid into by UK insurers. It’s worth knowing about, but there are specific rules and eligibility checks.

How to gather evidence after a crash

If you’re ever in an accident, assume nothing and record everything. At the time, you won’t know if the other driver is insured or not, so get as much detail as possible.

Write down the time, date, location, number plates, and car make and model.

Take clear photos of the scene and damage.

Get witness statements and contact details if anyone saw what happened.

In my case, several neighbours came outside, and one shared the doorbell footage that captured the entire crash. You might also find dashcam footage from nearby cars or CCTV from local shops, but act fast. Dashcams often overwrite recordings after a few days.

If you’re struggling to get footage, ask your insurer to step in. They can often help retrieve CCTV or contact nearby businesses on your behalf.

Police – What to do if you’re involved in a road traffic collision

Rebecca Mason: What to do after a car accident

Published
4 September

Dealing with the aftermath

My insurer eventually declared my car a total write-off. When that happens, your policy ends, and you must either update your insurer or take out a new policy to drive another vehicle, including becoming a named driver on someone else’s car.

They paid me the market value of my car at the time of the crash and refunded my excess thanks to the Uninsured Driver Promise, but the payout didn’t stretch to the cost of a new car, so I had to dip into my savings to make up the difference.

Despite not being at fault, my renewal premium still went up by 25%. That’s another harsh lesson from the experience.

My advice to you

Check your car insurance paperwork today.

Look for an Uninsured Driver Promise or similar protection.

Keep a copy of your policy handy, don’t bury it in your email inbox or a drawer.

If you’re in a crash, gather as much evidence as you can straight away.

Ask witnesses for statements and contact details.

Check for CCTV or dashcam footage quickly before it’s deleted.

I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I have. Being hit by an uninsured driver is stressful enough without the admin and cost that follow. Taking a few minutes to understand your policy could save you thousands in the long run.