Finland brings a century of victim-centred motor insurance experience to the Charter

The Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights is an international document that was developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), COB and the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL). It functions as a code of conduct for all those involved in the compensation of road traffic victims. It aims to ensure that victims of road traffic accidents receive the care, compassion and compensation they are due when they submit a claim.

Finland has more than a century of experience in motor liability insurance, during which legislation and practices have continuously evolved to strengthen the position of road traffic victims. For example, as early as the 1950s, Finland introduced compensation for passengers travelling in the vehicle responsible for an accident.

Finland supports the Charter because have formed part of Finnish practice for decades. Finland has one of the best and most comprehensive motor liability insurance systems in the world, and the national legislation provides road traffic victims with protection that goes beyond the minimum requirements set at European level. In Finland, there is no upper limit on compensation for personal injury, and even the driver responsible for an accident is entitled to compensation for their own personal injuries.

- The Charter reflects the principles that have guided Finnish motor liability insurance for several decades. By supporting the Charter, we hope to promote these principles more widely across Europe, says Janne Jumppanen, Managing Director of the Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre.

Finland has a long-standing commitment to practices that protect the interests of road traffic victims. These principles have been embedded in Finnish claims handling practices since the 1970s. The claims process is designed to be clear and straightforward, helping claimants avoid bureaucratic maze. Claims can be submitted online, and those who are dissatisfied with the insurance company's compensation decision can request a recommendation from an independent dispute resolution body free of charge.

- Supporting the Charter is about strengthening a common understanding of how road traffic victims should be treated in Europe. The Charter also provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the distinctive features of national motor liability insurance systems, Jumppanen emphasises.

The Finnish Motor Insurers' Centre's decision to support the Charter has the strong backing of Finnish motor insurers and was endorsed by its member companies. Supporting road traffic victims and making the claims process as straightforward as possible are central to the way Finnish motor insurers serve their customers.