The hybridization of the regulatory framework of Insurance Contract Law: Elements of a new setting

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the phenomenon of hybridization of insurance contract law, which started with its emancipation from contract law. The next phase included its internal stratification, stemming from obvious differences between commercial and consumer insurance, and various contractual positions of contracting parties in these different insurance contracts. Two features of insurance contracts regulation are addressed, based on Serbian law as it currently stands, as well as comparative legal analysis. The first feature is that the legislatively envisaged unified regime for insurance contracts is incomplete and inadequate for all manifestations of this contract. The second feature is that regulation of this matter must enable balancing of interests between insurers and insureds, especially consumers. The authors conclude that insurance regulation can only be conducive when simultaneously ensuring protection of the weaker party, protecting insurers from the negligent actions of the insured, while facilitating conduct of insurance business.

Keywords

• contract law
• insurance contract
• consumer protection
• commercial insurance
• hybridization