Uninsured Google Car Spotlights Broader Greek Insurance Crisis
It’s hard to imagine a time before Google Maps and similar applications, a time before we could rely on satellite navigation, digital directions rather than maps or road signs. Yet, a vehicle central to this technological transformation recently found itself at the heart of an insurance-related issue.
Google Street View, which provides street-level imagery around the world, uses specially equipped cars to capture 360-degree photographs. These vehicles, easily identifiable, have become a minor source of fascination for some. Recently, a sighting in Greece highlighted a significant oversight that sparked controversy.
Google Car Operates Without Insurance
According to a report by Autoevolution.com, an Opel Astra, used for Street View imagery in Greece, was allegedly driving on public roads without the required insurance. The country has an online verification tool that allows anyone to check a car’s insurance status, and this particular vehicle in Thessaloniki was reportedly uninsured.
It is important to note that while the car was uninsured, this may not be a deliberate cost-saving measure by Google. The company often contracts the operation of its Street View vehicles.
“Anyone can theoretically contribute to Street View imagery – even with a high-quality camera on a backpack,”
The Wider Problem of Uninsured Vehicles
The issue of the uninsured Street View car is significant given the widespread problem of uninsured vehicles on Greek roads. It’s estimated that over 500,000 vehicles are being driven without mandatory insurance coverage. The problem goes further than that – many of these vehicles also fail required inspections, similar to an MOT.
Several proposals have been put forth to address the issue, including creating a digital database for both insurance coverage and inspections. However, these solutions have yet to be adopted by regulators.
