(Monday 22nd February 2021)
Shona Robertson, Partner of H&R Insurance Services spent many hours at BIBA’s headquarters in London discussing the Vnuk ruling and its consequences on the British public and insurance industry. Unfortunately, it all seems to have been in vain, as yesterday the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, confirmed that the European Union’s hotly contested Vnuk law will not have to be part of the British realm, as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
Shona Robertson said: “Perhaps we are starting to see some benefit of not being part of the EU, it’s just a pity so many hours were wasted debating and discussing this issue over the past 4 years. I recall when the topic was first raised at the BIBA Motor Panel meeting, so much time and energy was being put into such a major non-event, but, as part of the EU BIBA had to be involved to ensure the proposed changes to legislation worked for all parties, including insurance brokers.”
This is excellent news for the British population, the Vnuk ruling, which was opposed by the UK Government, would have required ride-on lawnmowers, golf buggies, mobility scooters, quad bikes, trailers, ride-on floor cleaning machines, Segways and even certain children’s ride on toys to have compulsory Third Party insurance with unlimited liability whilst being used on private property. Policies were also required to include €5 million Public Liability cover for using the vehicle anywhere in the EU……. Really? Who takes their ride on lawn mower on holiday with them, but it would be funny to see one driving onto the Euro tunnel!
Transport Secretary Grant Sharps said: “We have always disagreed with this over-the-top law that would only do one thing – hit the pockets of hard-working people up and down the country with an unnecessary hike in their car insurance,” stated the MP on Sunday (February 21). “I am delighted to announce that we no longer need to implement it. Scrapping this rule would save the country billions of pounds and is part of a new and prosperous future for the UK outside the EU.”
