Mutua Madrileña insures Uber and WeRide autonomous vehicle pilot in Madrid

Mutua Madrileña has secured insurance for the 20 vehicles involved in the first autonomous car pilot program in Spain. The project, a collaboration between Uber and WeRide in partnership with the Community of Madrid, saw vehicles begin testing in the capital in October with a security operator on board.

The insurer aims to use the pilot to gain firsthand experience regarding how risk evolves in real-world conditions for autonomous fleets. This data will assist the company in developing insurance models tailored to autonomous mobility, specifically addressing risks linked to software, connectivity, and driving systems.

Jesús del Río, deputy general manager of the insurance business at Mutua Madrileña, noted that the pilot is essential for understanding the most suitable insurance models for autonomous driving. The company anticipates a shift in liability, where responsibility may move from the driver to fleet operators, manufacturers, or software providers depending on the nature of an incident.