Allianz says strict liability, mandatory insurance remain best model for autonomous vehicle crashes

Allianz management backed Europe’s strict-liability model for autonomous-vehicle crashes, keeping owners liable with mandatory auto insurance.

• Victim compensation should flow via the owner’s insurer, limiting the need to pursue manufacturers directly.
• Insurers would handle recourse claims against software or vehicle makers when defects drive losses.
• Allianz called for a Europe-wide database to log crashes in autonomous mode to support claims handling, causation analysis, and safety improvements.
• It also urged binding safety standards with licensing-style certification for autonomous systems to build trust, lower accident rates, and support premium affordability.