Explanatory note

These Regulations, relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, update the minimum level of compulsory motor insurance for property damage required under Article 9 of EU Directive 2009/103/EC (“the Directive”)^f1. Article 9(2) provides for the minimum level to be reviewed in line with the European Index of Consumer Prices every five years and adjusted accordingly.

The European Commission has so reviewed the minimum level and has issued a communication for the European Parliament and the Council^f2 indicating that for physical damage to property the minimum level of compulsory insurance is revised to 1.22 million Euros per claim. In order to ensure compliance with this requirement, in light of possible currency fluctuations, these Regulations substitute for the figure of £1 million currently specified in the Road Traffic Act 1988^f3, the sum of £1.2 million.

The Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1426) which specified the previous minimum level are revoked.

An Impact Assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen. An Explanatory memorandum is published alongside the instrument on the www.legislation.gov.uk website.

A copy of the Directive can be obtained from eur-lex.europa.eu.