Blog: Vnuk, an involuntary risk transfer

The odd tabloid article has told Mr Smith that, because of the European Union, he'll soon need to insure his ride-on lawnmower under a motor policy. However ludicrous that may sound, the reality is that could be true. While newspapers have chosen lawnmowers and golf buggies as commonly used 'vehicles', what some have failed to uncover is how far-reaching the implications of the European Court's decision in the Vnuk judgment really are.

It's been eight years since a tractor knocked over the ladder on which Damijan Vnuk was standing while loading hay into the upper floor of a barn in rural Slovenia. He sued the tractor driver for