The Motor Insurance Directive 2021/2118: Has the Attempt to Right Judicial Wrongs Actually Compromised Compulsory Insurance?

The Motor Insurance Directives (MID) collectively impose upon Member States a requirement to ensure cover for civil liability is available for vehicles 'normally based in their territory.' It has developed into a comprehensive system of protection for road users, vehicle passengers and third-party victims of motor vehicle accidents. The MID has most recently been amended by Directive 2021/2118 and here we examine the changes introduced by the reforms in the Directive which are, we argue, of such profundity that they have the potential to change the legal landscape of motor vehicle insurance across the EU and create differences in the basic provision of protections not seen since the inception of the first MID in 1972.