Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: To check your car insurance in Nigeria, visit askniid.org, click Check Policy → Vehicle Policy, choose Single and enter your vehicle details. Or dial *565*11# on any phone and follow the prompts. If your policy is not found on the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID), treat it as fake.
A car insurance check takes less than a minute, is free, and can save you from paying for a worthless certificate. Here is exactly how to do it, what the results mean, and what to do if something is wrong.
The Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) is the central record of compulsory insurance policies in Nigeria, including motor third-party insurance. It is owned and run by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), the body that represents licensed insurance companies.
When a licensed insurer sells you a motor policy, it uploads the policy to NIID. Police and other law enforcement agencies use the same database to check certificates at checkpoints. In other words, if your policy is not on NIID, it does not legally exist, no matter how official your paper certificate looks.
Tip: type the plate number without extra spaces or dashes if the first search returns nothing, then try again in the exact format on your vehicle licence.
No data or smartphone? Dial *565*11# on any network and follow the prompts to verify your motor insurance. This is the quickest option at a checkpoint or when buying a used car on the spot.
The NIA also offers an askNIID mobile app, available from the “Download askNIID Mobile” link on askniid.org. It is useful if you check vehicles often, for example as a fleet manager, car dealer or ride-hailing driver.
| Result | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Policy found, insurer named, dates current | Your policy is genuine and active | Keep a screenshot along with your certificate |
| Policy found but expired | Your cover has lapsed | Renew immediately; driving uninsured is an offence |
| Insurer on NIID differs from your certificate | Possible error or forged document | Contact the insurer named on your certificate directly |
| No record found | The policy is likely fake, or was never uploaded | See the steps below |
NIID is not just for your own car. After a collision, ask for the other driver’s plate number and check their insurance on askniid.org or with *565*11# before you leave the scene. If their policy is genuine, you can claim up to ₦3 million for damage to your car from their insurer, even if you only have third-party cover yourself. Our third-party insurance guide explains how to make that claim.
When buying a Nigerian-used car, a quick NIID check on the plate number shows whether the seller has kept the car properly insured, which is a good sign of a careful owner. Always remember that insurance does not transfer automatically when you buy a car: you need your own policy in your name before driving it away. Browse verified listings on LuxuryCars.ng, then use our car insurance in Nigeria guide to budget for cover.
Visit askniid.org, go to Check Policy → Vehicle Policy, choose Single, and enter your vehicle details.
Dial *565*11# on any phone and follow the prompts.
Checking on the askniid.org website is free. Standard network charges may apply to USSD sessions.
Yes. Your vehicle’s registration (plate) number is the main detail used to look up a motor policy.
No. If the policy is not on NIID and the insurer cannot confirm and upload it, treat it as invalid and buy a genuine policy.
Yes. Under NIIRA 2025 you can show your certificate of insurance or cover note in print or electronic form when a law enforcement officer asks for it.
See our comparison of the best comprehensive car insurance in Nigeria, or our guide to the cheapest car insurance in Nigeria.
Sources: askniid.org (Nigerian Insurance Industry Database, operated by the Nigerian Insurers Association), checked October 2026; BusinessDay reporting on NIID compliance data; Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 (analysis by Babalakin & Co., via Mondaq). Information only, not legal advice.
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