Draft law amending the Motor Vehicle Insurance Act (649 SE) – First Reading
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
Date: 2025-09-24 20:58
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 18m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu proceeded to the first reading of Draft Act 649 on the Amendment of the Traffic Insurance Act, initiated by the Isamaa faction. The bill aimed to reduce bureaucracy by abolishing the obligation to separately insure trailers with a maximum total mass exceeding 750 kg. Rapporteur Andres Metsoja (Isamaa) explained that a trailer does not operate independently, and its insurance should be automatically covered by the insurance of the towing motor vehicle, citing the practice of the Kingdom of Norway as an example. This would help avoid the application of mandatory insurance to trailers that are rarely used. Metsoja emphasized that this was a matter of user convenience and system simplification.
Mario Kadastik, the rapporteur for the Economic Affairs Committee, presented the committee's position, which was critical of the bill. The Ministry of Finance and the Motor Insurance Fund opposed the bill, citing European Union directives that require all registered vehicles to be insured. They also highlighted international risks, particularly using the example of Germany, where damages are divided between the insurance policies of the trailer and the towing vehicle. The committee proposed rejecting the bill (7 in favor, 3 against). In the subsequent vote, 44 members of the Riigikogu supported the rejection of the bill, resulting in the bill being dropped from the proceedings.
Decisions Made 1
The leading committee's proposal to reject Bill 649 at the first reading was adopted. Forty-four members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, and six voted against. The bill subsequently lapsed.
Most Active Speaker
Andres Metsoja (of the Isamaa party) was the main rapporteur and advocate for the bill, answering questions and presenting the faction's views concerning the reduction of bureaucracy and the implementation of the Norwegian model. His position was right-wing/conservative.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
We now move on to the 14th item on the agenda; we will have the first reading of Draft Act 649 on the amendment of the Motor Insurance Act, initiated by the Isamaa faction. The presenter is Riigikogu member Andres Metsoja.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the 14th item on the agenda, which was the first reading of Draft Act 649 on amendments to the Motor Third Party Liability Insurance Act, submitted by the Isamaa faction, noting that Riigikogu member Andres Metsoja would deliver the report.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
The aim of the Isamaa draft bill is to ensure that the motor vehicle is covered together with its accompanying trailers, and to reduce bureaucracy by following the Norwegian model, where trailers do not require separate insurance coverage when they are hitched to the motor vehicle.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja presented the Isamaa Party's draft bill, which aims to eliminate the separate mandatory traffic insurance requirement for trailers with a registered mass exceeding 750 kg, following the example set by Norway. This measure would reduce bureaucracy and prevent compulsory insurance from being imposed on rarely used trailers, as a trailer only moves in traffic when attached to an insured motor vehicle and should therefore be covered by the towing vehicle's insurance policy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the presenter, calls for questions, and then turns to Henn Põlluaas, asking him to take the floor.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas expresses agreement with the proposal and asks why there is no issue when using a 750-kilogram trailer, yet using a larger one requires obtaining a Category BE driving license, which necessitates passing a full driving examination. He further questions whether this system is reasonable and should be changed.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas supports the previous presentation but raises the issue of the unreasonableness of applying for a BE-category driving license. He points out that in order to tow a trailer exceeding the 750 kg limit, the driver must pass a full driving examination, rather than just a practical test focused on trailer usage, a requirement which seemingly nullifies all their previous knowledge and skills related to traffic and driving.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja claims that the 750 kg trailer restriction is not justified, arguing that road safety depends on the driver's experience and the trailer's braking system, and that larger trailers equipped with brakes may actually be safer. Therefore, the requirements associated with the B96 special permit and theory examinations should be reviewed.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja sharply criticizes the current mass restrictions for trailers and the existing driving license categories, deeming the 750 kg limit unrealistically low and the entire system unjustified. He argues that the system imposes unfair demands (such as the B96 and BE exams) based solely on the total mass of the vehicle combination, rather than on the driver's actual experience or the inherent safety of heavier, braked trailers. He illustrates the issue with a personal example: he was fined for towing a rented 3.5-ton trailer, despite holding a B96 license and having experience towing larger caravans that restrict visibility. Consequently, he believes the current regulation needs to be reviewed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker, concluded the round of questions, and then gave the floor to his colleague Mario Kadastik to present the Riigikogu with the results of the discussion held in the Economic Affairs Committee.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the rapporteur, stated that there were no further questions, and invited Mario Kadastik to introduce the discussion held in the Economic Affairs Committee from the Riigikogu rostrum.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee discussed the draft bill on September 15, noting that the Ministry of Finance objects because motor insurance is regulated by EU directives and international risks could be higher. It was then decided by consensus to place the draft bill on the plenary session agenda and propose its rejection (7 in favor, 3 against).
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik provided an overview of the Economic Affairs Committee's debate regarding the traffic insurance bill, which the Ministry of Finance opposed. The Ministry cited EU directives and significant international risks, particularly concerning trailers, where damages could potentially reach hundreds of thousands. The committee, however, deemed the mandatory insurance rational due to its low annual premium and ultimately voted to reject the bill by a margin of 7 votes in favor and 3 against.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the presenter and calls upon Andres Metsoja to pose at least one question.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Metsoja stressed that a mechanism should be implemented whereby cars capable of towing a trailer would incur an additional five-euro annual insurance fee. The trailer itself would not need separate insurance; instead, the coverage would apply jointly with the motor vehicle. This measure is being taken to promote convenience and the development of the digital society.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja proposed simplifying trailer insurance by automatically adding a five-euro annual fee to the towing vehicle’s insurance, which would grant the right to tow a trailer. He emphasized that such a solution, which increases user convenience, aligns with the goals of the digital society, without eliminating the mandatory technical inspection requirement.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadastik pointed out that insurance for vehicles capable of towing a trailer might become more expensive and require the trailer to be registered, but trailers are often not used, and the rules applicable in foreign countries regarding separate incidents might vary, meaning there is little benefit to this approach.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik believes that the automatic increase in insurance premiums for all vehicles capable of towing a trailer is unnecessary, as the majority of these vehicles do not use a trailer. He also emphasizes that linking trailer insurance to the car does not solve the problem abroad (for example, in Germany), where separate trailer insurance is still required in the event of an incident.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the questions had concluded, opened and closed the discussions, and put the leading committee's proposal to reject Bill 649 at the first reading to a vote before the Riigikogu.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
44 members of the Riigikogu supported the proposal, 6 voted against, and there were no abstentions. Bill 649 has therefore been rejected and is removed from the legislative procedure.