Cassation curbs penalties for drivers not using insurer-approved repair shops

Italy’s Corte di Cassazione is examining RC Auto clauses that require motorists to use a network of insurer-approved repair shops, raising questions about how these terms affect drivers and potential reforms to auto-insurance contracts.

An ordinance dated 23 April 2026 questions the practice of charging higher fees to drivers who do not choose insurer-contracted garages; such clauses could be considered abusive in the court’s view, signaling a potential shift in consumer protections within motor insurance.

The rulings imply possible changes to how auto-insurance networks are structured and how penalties for non-compliance are applied, with implications for motorists and insurers as regulatory scrutiny increases in Italy.