MOTOR COMPENSATION

Evening Star, Issue 22447, 18 September 1936, Page 5

MOTOR COMPENSATION

CLAIMS NOW VALID AGAINST DECEASED DRIVER'S ESTATE MINISTER BUSY OH INSURANCE PROBLEM [From Odr Parliamentary Report**.] AVELLINGTON, September 17. An intimation that he was working very actively on the problem of overhauling the legislation relating to motor accident insurance was given by the Attorney-General (Mr Mason) in the House, in replying to the second reading debate on the Law Reform Bill, which contains one clause relating to motor accidents. The existing law debars those injured by a motor vehicle of which the driver is killed from claiming against the deceased’s estate. This deficiency is remedied in the Law Reform 811. Mr Broadfoot said that the Hill widened the opportunity for claiming damages, and it was questionable whether it was not going to be too wide. He thought that, as a result of the Bill, motor insurance premiums may have to be increased considerably. The Minister said the question ot insurance premiums had been discussed with the insurance pool. He felt that he must do his best to meet their point of view, and cee that there was not placed upon them an unfair burden for which they would be liable in the present year. That was the reason why some of the clauses were not to come into operation until next June, when the current premiums for motor insurance would run out. After then a fresh start could be made, and if it was found that payments for damages had increased considerably it might be necessary to raise the amount of the premiums, which could be increased in any case, quite apart from the operation of the Bill. He understood that the insurance pool had made a loss this year, and it may be that the time had come for premiums to be adjusted, but he did not think the Bill would come into it very much. The Minister added that he was sorry there did not appear to be a chance this year to alter the basis of insurance in respect of motor accidents. He was working on the problem of changing the basis altogether, so that every person who suffered injuries in a motor accident would be entitled to compensation. “ That is a separate problem, and a very urgent problem,” he concluded. “ I regret that I shall not be able to deal with it this session. This Bill takes the matter as far as I am able to take it during this session.