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Motor insurance & Vnuk: accidents do happen

21 April 2021 / Sarah Prager , Chris Deacon
Issue: 7929 / Categories: Features , Insurance / reinsurance , Personal injury , EU
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Adding insult to injury: Sarah Prager & Chris Deacon outline why the government’s recent Vnuk policy decision is worrying news for serious injury victims
  • The decision in Vnuk.
  • The effect of the Vnuk decision on UK law.
  • The response of the UK government.

On 21 February 2021, the government announced its plans to ‘bin the EU’s Vnuk motor insurance law’, which, it said, would ‘ensure every British driver is spared an estimated £50 annual increase in insurance premiums’ and ‘reiterate the benefits of leaving the EU, as we take back control of our own laws and regulations’.

According to the government, had the law been implemented the insurance industry would have been liable for almost £2bn a year in extra costs, and these costs would probably have been passed onto their policyholders. Furthermore, the policy decision would protect the UK motorsports industry, saving it £458m a year in additional insurance costs. The announcement described the move as ‘a clear win for motorists in

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