Good news for motorists driving abroad

4.04.18pm GMT Wed 12th Jan 2005

Lib Dem MEP for the East Midlands, Bill Newton Dunn, welcomed the result of a vote in the European Parliament today that will give motorists significantly better insurance cover when driving abroad.

Following an accident, East Midland drivers will now be able to bring legal proceedings in the UK, rather than in a foreign court, and they will be guaranteed minimum cover of £700,000 per victim or £3.5 million per claim.

Speaking after the vote, Bill Newton Dunn, who sits on the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, said:

"Many motorists are unaware that when they set off on a holiday or a business trip that they have less coverage for legal costs than they have at home. As citizens as well as consumers in a single market, it is only reasonable that people should have a proper level of coverage, and a simple procedure for claiming legal costs.

"Nobody who suffers a tragic accident should have to jump through expensive and bureaucratic hoops in order to receive compensation. This Directive will do away with the need for two sets of lawyers and all the difficulties of operating within a foreign legal system."

This Directive will also facilitate shopping for the best deals in other countries when buying a car as it makes it easier to get short term insurance for cars bought abroad.

The text has been agreed between the European Parliament, European Commission and Council of Ministers.