Government, from petrol to third party liability: the sting of motorists

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Insurance, fuel and fines. The coming months may hold bad surprises for road users. On the one hand, there is the risk, denounced by consumer associations, of two million policyholders finding themselves with policies quadrupled from January 1 as a result of the rule in competition law that obliges foreign companies operating in Italy to adopt the measure direct compensation. On the other hand, the confirmed reduction from December 1 of the discount on petrol and diesel (from 0.25 liters to 0.15) and LPG (from 0.085 per kilogram to 0.051) was determined by By decree approved by the Council of Ministers. On the other hand, with regard to the upward update of the amounts of road fines that will start with the new year on the basis of automation stipulated in the Traffic Law, the government has announced that it will intervene to avoid increases.

Discounts on fuel from December 1

As of December 1, the government decided to reduce the discount on petrol and diesel from 0.25 euros per liter to 0.15, while on LPG from 0.085 per kilogram to 0.051. And so we go from the current discount of 25 cents which, including VAT, equates to a reseller discount of 30.5 cents, to a discount of 15 cents, which, combined with VAT, would translate to 18.3 cents less.

Stop adjusting fines

will come instead The automation envisioned by the Highway Code has been banned by the Executive, which from January 1, 2023 will result in an upward update of fines. road. In fact, the amount of administrative financial penalties is updated every two years by an amount equal to the full change, confirmed by Istat, of the CPI for blue-collar and white-collar households that occurred in the previous two years. With fine amounts increasing in the range of +11% – calculated by Codacons – the parking ban fine will rise to €46 from January 2023, with an increase of €4; one for using a mobile phone while driving at €183 (€18+); The fine for blocking access to a Ztl is €92 (€9+), while exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h can amount to €938 (an increase of €93 compared to the current €845).

Auto Liability: Premium risk quadruples

From January 1, the regulation established by the Competition Code will enter into force, which obliges companies with registered offices in other member states but operating in Italy to adopt Direct compensation procedures (It is provided by the insurance of everyone involved in the accident who will then receive compensation from the insurance of the person who caused it). “Unfair, unfair and too bloated regulation” is the alarm raised by the Assoutenti and Movimento consumer: the novelty risks two million policyholders, a large part of which is located in southern Italy and in large metropolitan areas, and many policyholders. Motorcycle insurance, to see motor vehicle liability policy premiums quadrupled.

“Direct compensation leaks from all sides – confirmed Furio Trozzi (President of Assoutenti) and Alessandro Mustaccio (General Secretary of Consumer Action) – a measure that was supposed to be in the interest of the insured but turned into a maze of inconveniences that changed it profoundly. Insurance market structure, undermining the trust pact between insurance companies and policyholders. The lump-sum system between companies needs a deep review and a restoration of the minimum principle of competition: foreign companies should not be obligated to adopt a measure such as direct compensation that the Constitutional Court considered optional three decades ago, but it should be voluntary. The procedure for all insurance companies and for all policyholders.