European Union: Insurance

Warranty and Indemnity insurance has become a standard feature in Finnish M&A transactions, yet many parties misunderstand its actual scope of protection. This examination reveals five critical coverage gaps that frequently catch buyers and sellers off guard, from the treatment of known risks to the challenges of proving losses. Understanding these limitations and how to address them through proper deal structuring can mean the difference between effective risk transfer and unexpected liability exposure.

The European Commission has adopted new regulatory technical standards under Solvency II that fundamentally reshape how supervisory authorities identify insurance groups and assess cross-border insurance activities.

France has enacted new legislation imposing strict time limits on insurers for handling property and casualty insurance claims, requiring offers or reasoned refusals within two to six months depending on expert involvement. The law mandates payment within 21 days of acceptance and grants the French Prudential Authority oversight powers, though implementation details await a forthcoming decree.