The inquiry, to be conducted jointly with IVASS, will focus primarily on the functioning of risk allocation systems (e.g. bonus-malus systems and merit classes) and of the direct compensation procedure, as well as on possible barriers to consumer switching (e.g. black boxes and price comparison tools)

The Italian Competition Authority has launched a market investigation to examine possible competition concerns in the motor insurance sector. The investigation will be carried out jointly with the Italian Institute for the Supervision of Insurance (IVASS), responsible for regulating and overseeing the insurance sector, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.

The motor insurance sector is substantial in size, given the mandatory nature of motor insurance and the widespread use of motor vehicles, with premiums of around €13,5 billion in 2025. Over the years, the legal and regulatory framework governing motor insurance has been amended on several occasions, including following recommendations made by the AGCM through its advocacy work. These changes were aimed at making the system more efficient and increasing competition between insurers. However, there may still be some unresolved concerns, which the Authority and IVASS consider should be examined further as part of the market investigation.

The inquiry aims to assess whether, under the current legal and regulatory framework, there are factors in the motor insurance sector that may be hindering the development of competition for the benefit of end consumers. It also seeks as to identify any measures that could address those factors.

In particular, the market investigation will focus on how risk allocation systems (e.g. bonus-malus systems and merit classes) and the direct compensation procedure operate. It will also examine the role of devices that monitor driving behaviour and vehicle activity, such as black boxes, and whether these may hinder consumer switching. The inquiry will further consider how the complexity of commercial offers and discounting practices affect the proper functioning of price comparison tools, including Preventivass.

Alongside the inquiry, a public consultation (Call for inputs) has been launched to gather feedback from stakeholders on the issues at hand, described in greater detail in the decision opening the market investigation. Feedback may be submitted no later than 31 July 2026 at the following e-mail address: [email protected].

Rome, 18 June 2026

Text of the decision