Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill

Automated and Electric Vehicles BilInsurance industry proposals relating to the  insurance of autonomous vehicles have been acknowledged and  are included within the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill which has now been published.

The Department of Transport say;

“The Bill extends compulsory motor vehicle insurance to cover the use of automated vehicles in automated mode, so that victims (including the ‘driver’) of an accident caused by a fault in the automated vehicle itself will be covered by compulsory insurance in place on the vehicle. The insurer would be initially liable to pay compensation to any victim, including to the driver who had legitimately handed control to the vehicle. The insurer then has the right to recover costs from the liable party under existing common and product law."

A second reading of the Bill will take place on 23 October 2017 and it appears as though the Government remains proactive and intent on implementing proposals / recommendations set out in last year’s consultation documents to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology.

A link to the bill can be found here.
The explanatory notes can be accessed here. 

For further information please contact:

Matthew Rogers- Partner

Howard Dean - Partner