AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR MOTOR LIABILITY INSURANCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

The latest amendment to the Croatian Compulsory Traffic Insurance Law from 2023 introduces significant changes regarding motor liability insurance. A substantial part of these amendments was necessary due to the incorporation into Croatian law of provisions from Directive (EU) 2021/2118 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 24, 2021, amending Directive 2009/103/EC on motor vehicle civil liability insurance and the implementation of the obligation to insure against such liability. How- ever, some other amendments within this legislative change, which are not motivated by alignment with EU law, are also very significant. For the first time, compulsory liability insurance for damage caused by the use of automated vehicles is regulated. Changes are also evident regarding exclusions from insurance and the loss of insurance rights. Finally, the procedure for resolving the compensation claim of the injured party is more precisely regulated. All of these changes aim to improve the protection of injured parties and the policyholders themselves. After the introductory section, which explains the purpose of compulsory motor liability insurance and the legal sources governing it at the international, European, and national Croatian levels, the author systematically analyzes all significant elements of the latest legislative amendment. In conclusion, the author evaluates to what extent the goals set by this amendment have been achieved and provides predictions for the future regulation of the most important issues in this field.

Keywords: Motor liability insurance – Directive (EU) 2021/2118 – Law on Compulsory Traffic Insurance, Amendments – Automated vehicles