INSURANCE LAW

If anyone is injured, call 112 and the police; in accidents with only property damage, fill in the accident report form completely. It is important to photograph the scene and the vehicles, take witnesses’ details and notify the insurer without delay.

Yes. A vehicle owner who was not at fault, or only partly at fault, can claim the loss in the vehicle’s market value after repair from the other party’s compulsory motor insurance, in proportion to that party’s fault.

If a written application to the insurer receives no response within fifteen days or is rejected, an application can be made to the Insurance Arbitration Commission. The Commission process is generally faster than court; alternatively, a lawsuit can be filed directly.

The spouse, children and other relatives who were supported by the deceased can claim loss-of-support compensation. Funeral expenses and moral damages for the relatives’ grief can also be claimed; moral damages are not covered by compulsory motor insurance and are claimed from the party at fault.

Situations listed in the general and special conditions of the policy are excluded. For a claim to be refused on grounds such as drink-driving or driving without a licence, a causal link between that circumstance and the damage is often required; every refusal should therefore be examined individually.

Yes. As a rule, claims arising from traffic accidents become time-barred two years after learning of the damage and the person liable, and in any event ten years after the accident. If the incident also constitutes a crime, the longer criminal limitation period applies.