Insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles (motor insurance) is of
special importance for European citizens, whether they are policyholders or victims of an
accident. It is also a major concern for insurance undertakings as it constitutes an important
part of non-life insurance business in the Community. Motor insurance also has an impact on
the free movement of persons and vehicles. The first part of the study deals with the origin
and the brief history of insurance, beginning with the ancient Rome. The second part tries to
describe the main characteristic features of the motor insurance including its legal
background – with respect to the directives of the European Parliament and the Council, and
the Hungarian legislation –, its subjects, the conclusion and termination of the contract.