Motorists involved in accidents while travelling abroad are likely to get new protection under a directive proposed this week by the European Commission. Frustrated by complaints that drivers abroad have difficulty getting reasonably prompt compensation and are often confronted with unfamiliar procedures, the Commission proposes to require insurance companies offering third-party insurance to appoint a claims representative in each EU member-state.
Drivers will also get the right to make direct claims to the third-party insurer of the person responsible for the accident.
Member-states will be required to put in place a penalty system to ensure prompt compensation payments and an information centre to help identify insurers and assist with procedures. The Commission is also insisting that compensation funds in each country be established to cover defaulting insurers or pay up when the insurer is unidentifiable.
The Commissioner for the Internal Market, Mr Mario Monti, presenting the proposal, said that it would "obviate a large number of problems encountered by road traffic victims abroad".
The existing machinery was not sufficient to deal with their difficulties, he said. "Our proposal sets out to create a true single market for insurance policy-holders."
The directive will go to the Council of Ministers for approval.
