On Friday, the Federal Council did not approve the changes to motor vehicle liability law decided by the Bundestag. The Bundestag and the Federal Government now have the opportunity to call the Mediation Committee to negotiate a compromise.
With this law, the Bundestag wants to implement an EU directive on liability insurance for vehicles. From January 1, 2025, compulsory insurance will apply for the use of unlicensed machines and forklifts with a design-related maximum speed of up to 20 km/h. Previously, these devices were generally exempt from compulsory motor vehicle liability insurance.
An insolvency fund, which is financed by the motor vehicle liability insurers licensed in Germany, will in future protect traffic victims even if the motor vehicle liability insurer goes bankrupt. It would replace the previous German compensation from the Traffic Victims Aid Association.
The Bundestag resolution also wants to harmonize the claims history certificate of the insured and regulate requirements for the insurers’ no-claims discount policy.
Editorial team beck-aktuell, ew, February 2, 2024.