New laws expose Europe to US-style class actions, broker warns

Guy Carpenter says liability insurers face new risks from EU environmental regulation and local laws in Germany and France

Liability insurers in Europe would be well advised to watch rulings on product liability, environmental regulation, and new levels of oversight. This was the view of Guy Carpenter managing director George Carrington as he introduced the reinsurance broker’s report, “Recent Legislative Trends in Continental Europe Affecting the Casualty Industry”. Mr Carrington warned that his firm could see a trend towards US class actions being repeated in Europe.