The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) is an independent body that was set up by insurers in 1975 and is funded by all motor insurers in Singapore. Its main purpose is to compensate people injured in road accidents caused by negligent untraced or uninsured motorists. The MIB provides a safeguard for consumers who are victims in road accidents. The MIB’s registered office is at 112 Robinson Road #05-03 HB Robinson, Singapore 068902.
The MIB provides cover, for bodily injury claims only, in accordance
with the Untraced Drivers' Agreement and the Uninsured Drivers'
Agreement between the Government, the MIB and general insurance
companies.
- The Untraced Drivers' Agreement requires the MIB to consider
compensation for victims of 'hit and run' accidents where the
motor vehicle is untraced.
- The Uninsured Drivers' Agreement requires the MIB to meet unsatisfied
Court Judgments against identified motorists who may have been
uninsured.
You should only approach the MIB after you have made reasonable
enquiries to determine if the motorist who has caused the accident
is untraced or uninsured. Those enquires will include but not necessarily
be limited to contacting the uninsured motorist, the Traffic Police
to confirm if accident has been reported, and obtaining details
of the registration of the vehicle from the Land Transport Authority.
Applications must be submitted in writing, within three years from
the date of the accident.
- For accidents caused by an untraced motorist, the MIB will
require you or your solicitors to complete an application form
to explain what happened, give details of your injuries and an
authority to obtain evidence from others such as your doctor and
employer.
- Where an uninsured motorist is involved, you may be required
to obtain a judgment against the uninsured motorist.
You can call the MIB on 6220 8607 or visit the office at 112 Robinson
Road #05-03 HB Robinson, Singapore 068902. MIB staff will provide
you with the necessary forms and assistance to lodge your application.
The MIB will acknowledge receipt and explain what action is being
taken, which action will vary depending on the facts and the information
you have been able to provide. The MIB will conduct an investigation
based on this information.
External parties will undertake the investigation work for the MIB.
They may interview you and obtain a full statement about the accident
and your injuries. The scene of the accident may be visited, a plan
prepared and witnesses may be interviewed. Medical evidence may
be obtained and if you have any loss of earnings, evidence may be
taken from your employer.
This is difficult to predict as many different factors are involved.
It may be necessary to wait until investigations are completed.
MIB will make every effort to reach a decision on responsibility
as quickly as possible.
Responsibility for the accident has to be agreed on or decided by
the Council of the MIB or by a Court. Your claim may be reduced
or rejected, if the evidence shows that you were partly or completely
at fault.
The MIB is funded by all motor insurers in Singapore. Motor insurers
are required by the Government to pay a share of the MIB’s
costs. Members pay their share by way of subscription, which is
a proportion of their motor business for the previous year.
The MIB, in its first year of operation in 1975, paid compensation
totalling $14,100 for five claims. In 2004, the MIB paid 21 claims
amounting to $163,040. From 1975 to 2004 the MIB had paid a total
of 851 claims amounting to $25.3 million. Currently, there are 137
outstanding claims with an estimated value of $4.3 million.
The MIB Council, which is comprised of representatives from the
leading motor insurers and the Government, assesses all claims and
determines their validity.
The MIB deals with all claims in accordance with service standards.
However, if you are dissatisfied, please write to the MIB through
your solicitor. MIB will then forward your appeal to the Public
Trustee, whose decision is final.
If you have further questions, please call the MIB at 6220 8607
or visit us at 112 Robinson Road #05-03 HB Robinson, Singapore 068902.
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