European Motor and Insurance Markets Face Shifts: Compensation, Safety, Inspections, and Regional Inequities
UK: Comment & Analysis on FCA Motor Valuations Compensation
24 Sep 2025
Prestige Underwriting has welcomed the FCA’s announcement that over 270,000 motorists will receive compensation for unfair claim deductions, calling it a vital step toward transparency and fairness in the motor insurance market. The company stressed that issues highlighted by the FCA are especially significant in non-standard motor insurance, where policyholders often face harsher penalties from blanket assumptions on vehicle value. Managing Director Alison Williams said Prestige is committed to fair, evidence-based assessments and tailored underwriting practices that reflect the realities of non-standard risks. Broadstone’s Cormac Bradley added that the compensation addresses long-standing challenges in vehicle valuation, particularly amid volatile car prices, supply chain pressures, and unfair assumptions about pre-existing damage.
Italy: Safety on Two Wheels: The Italian Cities with the Most Motorcycle Accidents
24 Sep 2025
Bari is the most dangerous Italian city for motorcyclists, with 174 accidents per 10,000 vehicles, well above the national average of 130, followed by Rome, Genova, and Florence. In contrast, Trieste, Turin, and Venice report the lowest motorcycle accident rates, highlighting the impact of less congested traffic and better infrastructure. Nationally, motorcycles face a 2.3 times higher risk of accidents than the average vehicle and 64% higher than cars. Motorcycle insurance covers damages to third parties, but claims are only paid if the motorcyclist is not at fault, with direct compensation procedures speeding up reimbursements. Affordable policies are available online, with prices for 2025 starting from around €90 for standard coverage.
Germany: Annual TÜV: EU wants to send older cars for MOT more often
24 Sep 2025
The EU Commission has proposed annual inspections for cars over ten years old to improve road safety, though the plan still requires approval from member states and the European Parliament. Older vehicles are more prone to breakdowns and accidents, and the EU estimates yearly checks could reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by about 1%. The ADAC criticizes the proposal, arguing that technical defects cause less than 1% of fatal accidents and annual inspections would impose high costs with little measurable safety benefit. They also stress that inspections should not penalize owners for factors beyond their control, like missing software updates, and that testing of new emission-monitoring technologies should be fully validated before mandatory use. Currently, Germany’s vehicle inspections already cover emissions, driver-assistance systems, and electric vehicle components.
Spain: The regions with the lowest income in Spain are the ones that pay the most for car insurance
23 Sep 2025
In Spain, car insurance costs an average of €478 per year, but regional differences are significant, reaching up to €379 between the most and least expensive areas. Surprisingly, the highest premiums are in regions with the lowest incomes, such as Melilla (€772) and Ceuta (€618), while wealthier regions like Madrid (€460) and the Basque Country (€457) pay less. Factors driving these disparities include traffic density, accident rates, road conditions, climate, and insurance fraud. Consequently, low-income households spend a much larger share of their income on mandatory car insurance, highlighting a hidden regional inequality beyond salaries.
General: Ardonagh Europe to purchase Groupe Leader Insurance in France
23 Sep 2025
Ardonagh Europe has agreed to acquire French wholesale and multi-specialist broker Groupe Leader Insurance (GLI), expanding its presence in Europe alongside existing operations in Austria, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. GLI, founded in 2003, serves individuals and SMEs through direct channels and over 4,000 broker partners, offering construction, specialist property, and motor insurance. GLI’s president Yoann Chery will take a stake in Ardonagh and lead its French operations, while existing management and brands will be retained. The acquisition aims to leverage Ardonagh’s scale—placing nearly $18 billion in annual premiums—to accelerate growth, innovation, and product offerings in the French market.
