Council agrees on 5th Motor Insurance Directive

Publication date: 27 November 2003

The 5th Motor Insurance Directive (COM(2002) 244 - 2002/0124 (COD)) came a step closer to adoption today, when EU Ministers in the Competitiveness Council reached a political agreement on a compromise text.

motor_insurance_com2002_244.pdf (140 KB)

The compromise agreed establishes a minimum insurance cover for personal injuries (1 Mio Euro per victim or 5 Mio Euro per claim whatever the number of victims) and damage to property (1 Mio Euro per accident whatever the number of victims).

Ministers also agreed that motor insurance should cover personal injuries suffered by pedestrians and cyclists and other non-motorised users of the roads as a consequence of an accident caused by a motor vehicle, if they are entitled to compensation in accordance with national civil law.

Other important issues agreed will enhance insurance cover in the case of long-term stays outside the country of registration of the vehicle, and restrict Member States' options not to compensate victims when the driver was under influence of alcohol or in the case of an accident with an unidentified vehicle.

Next steps:
After finalisation of the text, the Council will formally adopt its common position and send it to the European Parliament in the framework of the co-decision procedure for second reading.

Background Papers:
- AIT & FIA submission which was part of the Commission's consultation before the Commission proposal was published
- Report of Willi Rothley (rapporteur) - 1st reading
- AIT & FIA position paper responding to Rothley's proposals
- Marc Renckens/ANWB: "Towards a European Insurance against Road Traffic Accidents while Abroad?"
ait__fia_submission.pdf (55 KB)

rothley_report_final_101003.pdf (187 KB)

ait__fia_motor_insurance_position_paper_may_2003.pdf (113 KB)

a_european_insurance_for_accidents_abroad.pdf (58 KB)