Dziennik Ubezpieczeniowy, 31.07.2008

First of all valuation of medical services

Pro Motor has announced that the proposed solution to lift the Religa burden is more socially fair than the current tax. However, in order to ensure proper functioning of the system, standardized valuation of medical costs needs to be introduced first

At a press conference yesterday, representatives of Pro Motor gave their opinion on the government draft amending the financing of treatment of car accident victims.

The proposed solution is definitely more socially fair. It assumes that an obligation to refinance costs incurred by healthcare units would be distributed over a larger number of entities, especially liable perpetrators of the so-called personal losses, as well as insurers.

Franz Fuchs, chairman of Pro Motor noted that the current system is unfair. He said that in fact only about 5% of drivers cause accidents, but every year approx. 100 thousand claims concern pedestrians or cyclists. "Therefore we need to ask a political question: Why don’t some groups pay an extra premium?" - Franz Fuchs wondered.

Pro Motor representatives noted, however, that the draft contains a number of inconsistencies. If the act should be left in the present format, for sure the system of financing treatment of accident victims would not work properly.

Piotr Kaczanowski zremarked that the first problem arising from the proposal is that according to its provisions, a loss will not mean entitlement to compensation. This is why it will be essential to determine civil liability of the perpetrator.

Piotr Kaczanowski remarked that the first problem arising from the proposal is that according to its provisions, a loss will not mean entitlement to compensation. This is why it will be essential to determine civil liability of the perpetrator.

Pro Motor also identifies financial implications to be expected once the new regulation takes effect. "They are generally difficult to predict", remarked Kaczanowski. Still, it is certain that the number of claims subject to adjustment by insurance companies will increase, which will generate additional cost. Moreover, litigations will necessitate increased legal costs, both for entities providing medical services and for the insurers.