First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Motor Third Party Liability Insurance Act and Consequential Amendments to Other Acts (400 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
Date: 2024-05-08 23:19
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 30
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 25m
AI Summaries: 30/30 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu began the first reading of Bill 400, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Motor Third Party Liability Insurance Act and related amendments to other acts. Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev introduced the bill, noting that the core idea behind the amendments is better protection for victims of accidents, largely stemming from European Union directives. As key points, the minister highlighted the creation of a fund for the event of an insurance company's insolvency (a role fulfilled by the LKF in Estonia), the raising of maximum limits for insurance compensation (to 6.45 million euros for personal injury and 1.3 million euros for property damage), and the expansion of the insurance mandate to certain land motor vehicles, including more powerful electric scooters that exceed specific speed and weight limits.
During the debate, the focus was primarily on the scope of insurance for light personal transport vehicles and the regulation of compensation for non-pecuniary damage. Lauri Laats and Priit Lomp asked why the insurance mandate does not extend to all rental scooters and why the flexibility to keep a vehicle uninsured for 12 months remains. The minister explained that the bill adheres to the parameters of the directive and does not seek to impose excessive restrictions in Estonia. Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart drew attention to the Supreme Court's criticism regarding the regulation of compensation for non-pecuniary damage, to which the minister replied that the topic requires further discussion during the Riigikogu proceedings to ensure fairer compensation. Mario Kadastik, representative of the lead committee (the Economic Affairs Committee), confirmed that the committee had discussed these issues and proposed concluding the first reading.
Decisions Made 2
The lead committee (the Economic Affairs Committee) unanimously proposed concluding the first reading of Draft Bill 400.
The deadline for the submission of amendments was set for May 22, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu now moves on to agenda item number 9, which is the first reading of Draft Act 400: the Act on Amendments to the Motor Insurance Act and Related Amendments to Other Acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Minister of Finance, Mart Võrklaev, is invited to present the report.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
The amendments to the Traffic Insurance Act, submitted to the Riigikogu, increase the protection afforded to victims: the Estonian Traffic Insurance Fund will be established to pay compensation in the event of insurer insolvency; insurance coverage will be extended to vehicles based on certain speed and weight criteria (including some more powerful electric scooters); the limits for insurance compensation will be raised for both property damage and personal injury; a unified European form will be introduced for proving insurance history; and an obligation to remind policyholders of contract renewal will be added. The entry into force of the Act is scheduled for July 1, 2024, with extensions if necessary.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and invited questions, asking Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu asked the Minister of Finance to what extent motor third-party liability insurance payments are increasing last year and this year, and how this affects the running costs of a car, as well as how much less the state spent in 2023 compared to the planned budget.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
He emphasizes that according to the Riigikogu procedure, only one question may be asked at a time, and the second question is not related to the draft bill. He further adds that the average annual traffic insurance premium is currently 146 euros, and while the precise increase compared to last year can be provided in writing if needed, the current average figure is as stated.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi explained that the minister is not obliged to answer questions unrelated to the draft legislation, but it is often tolerated that a single question contains multiple sub-questions, or that these questions are presented within one minute.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats confirms that insurance for scooters was initially planned for the draft law but was subsequently removed. He stresses that a vehicle can remain uninsured for up to 12 months regardless of whether an owner exists, and that insurance must cover the asset itself—a matter which this current draft bill fails to resolve.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev said that the draft bill includes insurance for scooters, but Estonia will maintain the flexibility of allowing seasonal vehicles to be used uninsured for up to 12 months. This, however, entails greater responsibility, because if insurance is lacking and damage occurs, the costs may have to be borne by the rider.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker invites Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to the stage.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Addressing Estonia's need to better regulate compensation for non-pecuniary damages arising from traffic accidents, I point out that the amounts have remained unchanged for about ten years, case law has evolved, and people might be left unprotected. I then ask the Minister whether a draft bill has been considered regarding this issue, and if there are any thoughts or internal information on the matter.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
In the event of an accident resulting in severe consequences, the injured party has the right to claim compensation for non-pecuniary damage, which is assessed based on the actual damages sustained in accordance with the general rules for compensating damage set forth in the Law of Obligations Act. Furthermore, this right persists, and non-pecuniary damage must be compensated pursuant to law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi asked Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to pose the second question.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the draft bill might repeal the section, and the amounts of compensation for non-pecuniary damage are not regulated in detail. She also puts forward a proposal that the Estonian Motor Insurance Fund should publish the 20 largest non-pecuniary damage compensations on its website, which would increase transparency and could reduce the need for a lawyer, and she asks for an opinion on this matter.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev emphasized that compensation for non-pecuniary damage is important, and the law must be flexible enough not to unduly restrict the possibility of claiming damages under the Law of Obligations Act. The Riigikogu should consider the various proposals received from the bar association and continue the debate to improve people's rights and compensation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker addresses Lauri Laats and asks him.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats stressed that mandatory insurance should apply to all scooters, and he called for regulation that would implement this requirement for all scooters, irrespective of their speed or weight.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev stated that insurance for scooters creates additional expenses and helps cover damages, but Estonian laws must adhere to parameters stemming from the European directive, which depend on speed and weight. Furthermore, the sector must not be overly restricted—regardless of whether the scooters are privately or company owned—and the Riigikogu discussion continues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Priit Lomp is invited to the stage at the beginning of the address.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
The presentation focused on the issue of insuring rental e-scooters: not all scooters should necessarily be insured, but shared rental scooters could be, and there was discussion about how additional restrictions or "more teeth" could be added to the directive.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech was merely a thank you.
Priit Lomp
AI Summary
Priit Lomp is considering the idea of tightening the screws on the directive a bit and proposing that rental scooters should fall under insurance coverage.
Rahandusminister Mart Võrklaev
AI Summary
Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev stated that the government's draft legislation contains parameters that comply with the directive. The Riigikogu will debate the proposal and make the final decisions; these parameters will be achieved during the subsequent legislative process.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the minister, noted that there were no questions, and announced that the lead committee's discussion and decisions would be introduced by Mario Kadastik, a member of the Economic Affairs Committee.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Economic Affairs Committee discussed the draft bill, focusing on the questions surrounding the mandatory or voluntary nature of 12-month insurance, public awareness and freedom of choice, insurance requirements for electric scooters and other devices, methods for their identification and control, and the role of the Motor Insurance Fund. Mario Kadastik was appointed as the lead committee's representative, and it was unanimously decided to submit the draft bill to the plenary session on April 30th and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi stated that everyone had at least one question, before addressing Vadim Belobrovtsev.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He addressed the bill which would permit a vehicle to be kept uninsured for a year, pointing out that accidents or the risk of electric cars catching fire could still arise even with a stationary vehicle. He then asked the commission if they would abandon this proposal and confirm that insurance must remain in effect.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik noted that the risk of ignition is not limited to electric cars; the 12-month issue was only briefly touched upon, and the main discussion shifted to scooters. Furthermore, the topic of associated damage and its compensation was emphasized, and the proceedings will continue with the collection of opinions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you very much. There were no questions, so I open and close the debate. The lead committee wishes to conclude the reading of Bill 400. The first reading is concluded. The deadline for submitting amendments is May 22nd at 17:15, and the consideration of the agenda item is concluded.