U.K. Bill Would Require Insurers to Provide Coverage for Autonomous Vehicles in Both Modes

U.K. Bill Would Require Insurers to Provide Coverage for Autonomous Vehicles in Both Modes

A transportation bill under consideration in the U.K. Parliament would require insurers to offer a single product that covers collision-damaged vehicles when the motorist is driving and when the vehicle is in driverless mode.

A transportation bill under consideration in the U.K. Parliament would require insurers to offer a single product that covers collision-damaged vehicles when the motorist is driving and when the vehicle is in driverless mode.

Lawmakers behind the Vehicle Transportation and Aviation Bill want to ensure that “innocent victims involved in a collision with an automated vehicle will have quick and easy access to compensation,” the U.K. Department for Transport said.

However, the bill would make vehicle owners liable for collision damage if they make unauthorized changes to the car’s software or fail to install required software updates.

Under the terms of the bill, the U.K. Secretary of State would have the power to determine which vehicles fall under the new insurance requirement.

“This is a positive step forward that provides clarity to insurers to ensure we design our products appropriately,” said David Williams, head of underwriting at the insurance firm AXA UK. “It keeps protection of the general public at its heart, which we hope will encourage early adoption of some really impressive technology.

“The vast majority of accidents are caused by human error and we see automated vehicles having a massive impact, reducing the number and severity of accidents. As well as making our roads safer, insurance premiums are based on the cost of claims, and therefore we expect substantially reduced premiums to follow.”

You May Also Like

NORTHEAST Named to Trade Show Executive Magazine’s “Fastest 50” List

The show was recognized for the second consecutive year as one of the fastest growing U.S. trade shows held in 2023.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced that the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show has been recognized for the second consecutive year by Trade Show Executive magazine as one of the fastest growing U.S. trade shows held in 2023.

NORTHEAST, which typically draws thousands of industry professionals to the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, N.J., every March, was named to the magazine’s “Fastest 50” for 2023. In addition, Trade Show Executive magazine also recognized NORTHEAST’s continued growth in the areas of exhibit space and number of exhibiting companies via its "Next 50" lists for 2023. 

People on the Move

Recent personnel news that has appeared on bodyshopbusiness.com.

Consolidator Report

Consolidation news from the week of April 29.

Top 5 Stories of the Week

A recap of the top five stories on bodyshopbusiness.com during the week of April 29.

WIN Announces New 2024-25 Board Leadership

The Women’s Industry Network executive board executes on WIN’s vision and mission for women serving in the collision repair industry.

Other Posts

CIECA to Hold Webinar on Artificial Intelligence

The webinar, “The Fundamentals of Generative AI, Large Language Models and Implications for the Collision Industry,” will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 2 p.m. EST.

Guess the Car and Win $50!

Give us your answer for this month’s Guess the Car and you might win $50!

Lawson Products Acquires S&S Automotive

Like Lawson’s Kent Automotive business, S&S Automotive is an industry-leading distributor in the automotive dealership market.

Crash Champions Expands to Great Falls, Montana

Crash Champions has announced the successful acquisition of Mitchells’ Crash Repair, Flawless Auto Body and 3 Way Auto Body.