Major rule changes could undermine insurers’ ability to cover certain risks, says Insurance Europe

Industry body  Insurance Europe has warned that new rules to the Product Liability Directive (PLD) could make it difficult for insurers to continue to insure certain risks.

The lobby group has published its response to a questionnaire conducted by the European Commission on adapting liability rules to the digital age and artificial intelligence (AI).

It believes that European insurers already deliver a broad range of insurance products and services for artificial AI users and producers. If the EU were to make substantial changes to the PLD, it could make it difficult for insurers to continue to insure certain risks.

"The Commission should therefore refrain from introducing major changes to the existing framework to enable insurers to keep making accurate risk calculations and cater to constantly evolving market demands and realities," said Insurance Europe.

The PLD should remain restricted to personal injury and property damage, as other types of damage and harm are already compensable under existing legislation such as the Environmental Liability Directive and the General Data Protection Regulation respectively, it noted, adding that new rules should only be considered in the case of a clear protection gap, which currently does not exist.

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