WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1965/96 by Astrid LULLING to the Commission. Hunting insurance
Date: 1996-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, LULLING
Subjects: approximation of laws, free movement of persons, freedom to provide services, hunting, hunting regulations, insurance company, right of establishment, third-party insurance













EUR-Lex - 91996E1965 - EN






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91996E1965

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1965/96 by Astrid LULLING to the Commission. Hunting insurance  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0032 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1965/96 by Astrid Lulling (PPE) to the Commission (16 July 1996)Subject: Hunting insuranceIn most Member States civil liability insurance ('hunting accidents') is an essential condition for obtaining a hunting licence.There are, however, a considerable number of differences between the Member States, both from the point of view of the minimum guarantees provided in the case of material damage or physical injury and as regards the duration and cost of the insurance schemes and the geographical area covered. Furthermore, legislation in some Member States provides that the insurance scheme must be provided by a company established in the country in question.All these arrangements hinder the freedom of movement of hunters and sports shooters on Community territory - when they go on hunting trips or where they live in frontier regions - and prevent insurance companies from freely offering their services in all the Member States, as provided for in Directive 92/49/EEC ((OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p. 1. )) 'direct insurance other than life insurance'.Does the Commission agree that, in the interests of the smooth functioning of the internal market, the harmonization of national legislations on civil liability insurance for hunting is necessary, notably as concerns the minimum guarantees and periods covered, and that Community citizens should be able to take over an insurance policy with the company of their choice, regardless of the Member State in which it is established?Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (11 October 1996)The Commission would inform the Honourable Member that, in accordance with the rules of the Treaty and with the relevant Council Directives, in particular Directive 92/49/EEC, ((OJ L 228, 11.8.1992. )) Member States are required to authorize the taking-out of an insurance contract written either under the right of establishment and by way of freedom to provide services, with a view to obtaining cover in respect of civil liability arising from hunting activities, with an insurance company duly authorized in its home Member State to write such insurance.The Commission takes the view that the Member States are better placed to decide whether hunting activities carried out on their territory should be the subject of insurance covering the associated civil liability and, where appropriate, to determine the amount of the guarantees and the conditions of cover, having due regard to the differences that exist between Member States in the exercise of hunting activities.If it transpired that the rules in Member States regarding civil liability insurance for hunting could create obstacles to the practice of the sport, the Commission could take any appropriate measures consistent with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality.