How many vehicles in Italy are driven without insurance? The latest report from Fondazione ANIA (National Association of Insurance Companies) indicates that in 2019, out of 45.1 million vehicles in Italy, approximately 2.6 million were driven without compulsory motor third-party liability (MTPL) insurance. In percentage terms, this represents 5.9% of the total circulating fleet on the road. We are second to last in the European ranking, beaten only by Greece. The most virtuous? Germany, with only 0.04% of uninsured vehicles.
A positive note? The trend is declining: in 2014, uninsured vehicles numbered 3.9 million. The "virtual" insurance sticker, which came into force in 2015, has improved the situation, but the data remains alarming. For state coffers, this phenomenon translates into a loss of approximately 280 million per year.
Across Italy, there are significant geographical differences. In the North, almost all regions have values at or well below the national average. Lazio and the city of Rome show an incidence that is double (8.5% and 9.4% respectively) that of other central regions. In the South, values slightly above the national average soar in Calabria and Campania. In Naples, one in six vehicles is driven without insurance, and in Reggio Calabria, one in eight.
What are the risks of driving an uninsured vehicle? A fine that can range from a minimum of 866 euros to a maximum of 3,464 euros. In addition, there are costs for the transport and storage of the impounded vehicle. The penalty can be reduced by 25% if the policy is renewed within 30 days. The reduction also applies in the case of vehicle demolition within 30 days of the infraction notice.
What if we are involved in an accident with an uninsured vehicle? The injured party will still be protected and will be entitled to compensation for damages. In this context, the Road Accident Victims' Guarantee Fund, a public fund managed by Consap (Public Insurance Services Concessionaire S.p.A.), intervenes to compensate individuals who have suffered damages without fault in the accident. The Fund also intervenes if the insurance has expired for more than 15 days. In both cases, the Fund can then seek recourse from the responsible party.
