Brussels, 21/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to take Italy to the Court of Justice over action to freeze premiums for motor vehicle civil liability insurance. "The Commission continues to consider that this measure is not part of the general price control system that could justify obstacles to the free movement of insurance products, and nor is it justified through considerations of a general interest", said the spokesperson. According to the Commission, it is especially an obstacle to the free marketing of insurance products, as demanded by the third non-life insurance directive.
A reasoned opinion was sent to Rome on the subject, end October (see EUROPE of 26 October, p.12). But the Italian authorities "have simply confirmed the answers provided previously", says the Commission. Given the economic implications of this procedure, it had not given it much time to react (3 weeks) and intends lodging its case to the Court "as soon as possible".