The purpose of these Regulations is to give effect to the European Communities Tourist Assistance Directive, 84/641/EEC.
The effect of these Regulations will be to introduce a new class of insurance business (Class 18) to be known as "Assistance". Various activities such as those which provide assistance to motorists and other travellers under a specific contract (commonly known as tourist assistance) and which are of a quasi-insurance nature, will now be subject to the same type of supervision as applies to general insurance. Organisations operating such business will be required to obtain an authorisation from the Insurance Supervisory Authority.
Such activities for example would cover the assistance provided to persons who get into difficulties while travelling and may include the repatriation of the vehicle, driver or passengers following accident or breakdown or any other benefit which may have been contracted for.