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ARTICLE · 14 NOVEMBER 2008

Time May Be Up For Insurance Pools And Other Agreements

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Most cooperative agreements between competitors are deemed to be anti-competitive and prohibited by EU law and equivalent laws in most EU Member States.

United KingdomInsurance
Philip Wareham
Philip Wareham

Most cooperative agreements between competitors are deemed to be anti-competitive and prohibited by EU law and equivalent laws in most EU Member States. There are nevertheless four limited classes of agreement that are allowed by a special sectoral bloc exemption, covering agreements on:

  • Joint calculations, tables and studies
  • Standard policy conditions and models on profits
  • Common coverage of certain types of risks (pools)
  • Security devices / safety equipment.

However, the relevant regulation is due to expire in 2010.

The Commission has to submit a report to the European Parliament and Council of Ministers by March next year on its functioning, together with any proposals for amendment in the light of experience.

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