Autonomous Cars: Navigating the New Claims Terrain

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Howden Re’s "Shaping the Future of Risk" report highlights that the surge in autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption is likely to lead to more intricate litigation scenarios. The expected litigation will ensnare vehicle manufacturers, software developers, hardware suppliers, and mapping service providers in various legal battles.

The report underscores that the growing prevalence of AVs might influence losses within motor liability insurance segments. AV technology could shift liability from individuals operating vehicles to the technology powering these autonomous systems, necessitating a shift towards product liability insurance over traditional motor insurance.

“Identifying the faulty component in a vehicle involved in an incident will be a challenging task,” Howden Re states. “Court outcomes in these cases could significantly sway motor liability insurance strategies. Depending on verdicts, this arena might demand stronger reserving strategies to accommodate potential claim variances.”

Motor liability currently constitutes as much as 40% of global property and casualty premiums, and projections suggest that by 2030, around 50% of new vehicles will be electric. Additionally, most new vehicles are expected to possess considerable technological connectivity, with some touting self-driving capabilities.

As AI-driven systems aim to replace human drivers in an effort to reduce accidents caused by human oversight, this will introduce a tentative period where both human-driven and autonomous vehicles coexist. This coexistence will inevitably complicate accident causality assessments and claims filing procedures.

“The artificial intelligence governing AVs operates on assumptions that might occasionally be flawed. Therefore, AVs complicate the accident and claims landscape by introducing new challenges in assigning fault,” Howden Re elaborates. “In mixed environments where human-driven and autonomous vehicles share the road, discerning whether a crash results from technological failure or human error becomes intricate.”

Both passengers in AVs and drivers of other involved vehicles might seek compensation from AV manufacturers in the event of an accident, potentially heightening overall claim costs.

Published:Tuesday, 10th Sep 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

New WHS figures sharpen the risk picture for tradies

11 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Safe Work Australia’s latest Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, released on 12 October 2026, provide a fresh reminder that construction remains one of the country’s highest-risk work environments. The national data records 41 construction worker fatalities in 2025 and shows construction accounted for 11.7% of serious workers’ compensation claims in 2024-25, making the figures directly relevant to trade businesses reviewing safety systems, contracts and insurance arrangements. - read more

Mallee Hail Is a Sharp Reminder About Harvest-Time Insurance Gaps

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A damaging hailstorm across Victoria’s Mallee has turned a promising harvest into a difficult insurance and cash-flow test for affected grain growers. ABC Rural reported on 6 November 2026 that hail swept through districts including Birchip, Wycheproof and Quambatook, damaging thousands of hectares of wheat, barley, lentils, canola and other crops just as many paddocks were ready to harvest. - read more

Strata Storm Claim Ruling Puts Defect Exclusions in Focus

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has highlighted a difficult but common issue for strata communities: damage that happens during a storm is not always insured storm damage. The dispute, reported on 5 November 2026, involved an owners corporation claim for a collapsed parapet wall, with the insurer declining cover on the basis that defective design, materials or workmanship were the dominant cause rather than the weather event itself. - read more

Healthcare liability pressure puts clinic renewal evidence in focus

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

A new Australian healthcare professional liability market update points to a sharper divide between general insurance market conditions and the experience of healthcare organisations arranging malpractice and professional liability cover. Lockton’s 1 November 2026 update says established insurers remain selective, claims inflation is affecting attachment points and underwriters are looking more closely at how clinical governance works in practice, not merely whether accreditation exists. - read more

WA Child Safety Changes Put Fitness Compliance in the Spotlight

10 Nov 2026: Paige Estritori

Western Australia’s updated Working With Children Check laws are a timely reminder that fitness business risk is not limited to physical injury, equipment damage or venue incidents. The changes, in effect from 17 September 2026 and highlighted by AUSactive in October, mean certain adverse Working With Children outcomes from other Australian jurisdictions can now affect a person’s ability to work with children in WA. - read more

Click for more Insurance News