Lisbon, April 30, 2026 (Lusa) – Portugal's Motor Guarantee Fund, which pays out claims on accidents involving uninsured vehicles, registered 4,873 new claim processes in 2025, marking a 9% increase compared to 2024, and paid out €11.99 million in compensation, down 4%, the regulator announced on Thursday.
The Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF) reported that 87% (4,241 cases) involved property damage and 12.5% (609 cases) involved bodily injuries.
During the same period, 23 fatal accidents were also reported, nine more than in 2024.
The regulator said that this increase follows a 23% rise in 2024 compared to 2023, highlighting a sustained trend of accidents involving vehicles being driven without mandatory insurance.
The ASF attributed this growth to increased road traffic in the post-pandemic period and some drivers' persistent failure to comply with the legal obligation to insure their vehicles.
The most common types of offences included failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles (29.4%), improper manoeuvres (15.3%) and speeding (13.1%).
Collisions and crashes accounted for 89.7% of incidents, with 6 fewer accidents than in 2024 (347).
In 2025, 97 pedestrian accidents were recorded, two more than in 2024, with 49 (50.5%) hit-and-run accidents in which the responsible party remained unknown.
Compensation for material damage rose by 1% compared to 2024, to €4.62 million, whilst compensation for personal injury increased by 21% to €6.09 million.
Compensation for personal injury includes non-pecuniary damages, future pecuniary damages, medical expenses, medication, transport and other consequential damages.
Compensation for death totalled €1.28 million, falling by 56%, due to a reduction in the number of such cases (-38%) and a decrease in the amount paid out in these cases (-30%).
Following the payment of compensation, the Motor Guarantee Fund is entitled to claim reimbursement from the uninsured parties responsible for the accidents, recovering €2.97 million in 2025.
Gabriel Bernardino, chair of the ASF, said that while the Fund provides a vital safety net, it remains essential to raise driver awareness regarding mandatory insurance.
The regulator will launch an awareness campaign in 2026 focusing on uninsured vehicles to promote compliance with compulsory motor third-party liability insurance and enhance citizen protection.
JO/MYAL // ADB.
Lusa
