The Swiss National Bureau of Insurance (NBI) and the Swiss National Guarantee Fund (NGF) have invited other insurers, claims handling companies, Green Card Bureaux and Guarantee Funds to join them in supporting the Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights.
They made their comments as their support for the Charter was officially confirmed, following formal approval by the Boards of Directors of both organisations.
The NBI covers the damages caused by foreign motor vehicles in Switzerland and in Liechtenstein. The NBI also fulfils the tasks of information centre as specified in the Swiss Road Traffic Act. Additionally, the NBI coordinates the conclusion of frontier insurance policies for motor vehicles entering Switzerland and Liechtenstein without sufficient insurance cover.
The NGF covers the damages caused in Switzerland and in Liechtenstein by unidentified or uninsured motor vehicles, trailers, bicycles and devices assimilated to vehicles. The NGF also intervenes in case of bankruptcy of the competent MTPL insurer. It finally also fulfils the tasks of compensation body.
Both NBI and NGF have long associations with the Charter. Their former President Martin Metzler was an early proponent of the Charter project, becoming a major contributor towards its development. He was heavily involved the drafting of the Charter text during his time with both COB and the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL).
While these days, NBI & NGF President, Daniel Wernli has been a strong supporter of the Charter initiative. He was one of the main driving forces behind the development of the Charter website and awareness campaign, continuing to promote the importance of the Charter in his roles as Vice President of COB and Vice President of the Institute for European Traffic Law (IETL).
Speaking about their decision to officially support the Charter of Road Traffic Victims’ Rights, Daniel Wernli, President of NBI & NGF said, “We strongly support the Charter and believe that it will help to continuously improve the handling of claims in the interests of road traffic victims. We believe that the principles set out in the Charter are essential. As these principles are recognised throughout Europe, they will improve standards everywhere, including in countries and regions where they were already high, as well as in markets where the MTPL insurance industry is experiencing strong growth.
“Although the Charter is soft law, we are convinced that it will contribute to strengthen the rights of road traffic victims. We invite all bodies involved in handling MTPL claims, including insurers, claims handling companies, Green Card Bureaux and Guarantee Funds, to join us and the existing supporters!” he concluded.
Inspired by the UN’s ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, the Charter was developed over several years through a collaboration between COB, IETL and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Through their efforts, a document was created that enshrined 10 core principles, all aimed at providing an ethos of care and clarity to the victims of road traffic accidents.
