Guidance Note: Applications under the Motor Traffic (Third-Party Insurance) (Jersey) Law 1948

Summary

This guidance note explains the process for insurance companies that want to write motor vehicle liability insurance in or from Jersey. Approval as an authorized insurer under the Motor Traffic (Third Party Insurance) (Jersey) Law 1948 is required in addition to holding a permit under the Insurance Business (Jersey) Law 1996. The Minister for Infrastructure grants this approval, delegated to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Department (DVS), while the JFSC collects the required information and passes it to DVS.

• Eligibility conditions (non-Jersey incorporated applicants): Must be a current member of the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB), issue policies governed by Jersey law and subject to Jersey courts, and appoint one or more Jersey-resident Powers of Attorney.
• Supporting evidence: Applicants can satisfy the above by providing a copy of MIB membership certificate, a specimen policy wording, and a signed Power of Attorney with full authority to accept legal process in Jersey.
• Application forms: New applicants complete a Category A Application Form (with attention to Part III); existing Category A Permit Holders must apply to add motor vehicle liability insurance to their classes of business and submit a supplementary form for the Minister.
• Consequence of refusal: If the Minister does not approve authorized insurer status, the JFSC may be unable to grant Insurance Law authorisation for class 10 motor vehicle liability insurance, though permits for other general insurance classes may still be granted.
• Windscreen insurance discs: Once approved, permit holders must ensure Jersey policyholders are issued insurance discs complying with the Motor Traffic (Third-Party Insurance) (Jersey) Order 1961, and can order disc stationery from Tall Security Print.
• Public register: The Order requires the Minister to keep a publicly available register of authorised insurers, including the insurer's name and address and the name and address of its Jersey Power(s) of Attorney; the JFSC and DVS also hold Power of Attorney records available on request.
• Windscreen disc display requirement: All Jersey registered motor vehicles must display a windscreen insurance disc (temporary cover disc or permanent disc) while travelling or parked on the public highway or public place.

The note is informational guidance describing an existing statutory approval process rather than introducing new requirements, and directs applicants to DVS or the JFSC's separate Guide to Applications for further detail.

Key obligations

• Insurance companies must obtain approval as an authorized insurer under the Motor Traffic (Third Party Insurance) (Jersey) Law 1948 before writing motor vehicle liability insurance in or from Jersey.
• Non-Jersey incorporated applicants must be a current member of the Motor Insurers' Bureau, issue Jersey-law-governed policies subject to Jersey courts, and appoint one or more Jersey-resident Powers of Attorney with full authority to accept legal process.
• New applicants must complete a Category A Application Form with attention to Part III; existing Category A Permit Holders must apply to the JFSC and submit a supplementary form to add motor vehicle liability insurance to their classes of business.
• Persons appointed as Power of Attorney must acknowledge that their information will be held and processed in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 12 of the Motor Traffic (Third-Party Insurance) (Jersey) Order 1961.
• Once approved, permit holders must ensure Jersey policyholders are issued insurance discs complying with the Motor Traffic (Third-Party Insurance) (Jersey) Order 1961.
• All Jersey registered motor vehicles must display a windscreen insurance disc while travelling or parked on the public highway or public place.

Applies to

insurance companies, authorized insurers, Category A permit holders under the Insurance Business (Jersey) Law 1996