BELGIUM: EU proposes better accident insurance protection

Sweeping
changes to EU motor insurance laws have been proposed by a committee of the European
Parliament, with the aim of improving the legal protection of accident victims.

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A report drawn up by the EP’s legal affairs committee has called on EU national
governments to compel insurers to provide either an offer or a refusal of compensation
within three months of receiving a claim and sets an EU-wide minimum of two
million euros as the sum insured.

The report also says that insurers should provide cover for up to 30 days for
anyone who wants to buy a vehicle registered in another member state and drive
it home.

Other changes demanded by the MEPs include setting the period for compulsory
re-registration of a vehicle purchased in another member state at three months
– at present this ranges from one day in Ireland to one year in Germany,
Italy and the Netherlands.

The committee also says that insurance companies should extend cover for any
policyholder living temporarily in another country for up to 12 months. At present
most insurers withdraw this cover.

The committee has no direct legislative power – its report is a formal
call for the European Commission to table the proposals.

Brussels officials said the report would be "keenly examined."

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