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Online JudgeCheck24 Insurance Rate Comparison Case: European Court of Justice's Decision

Online Insurance Marketplaces' Comparison Legitimacy: ECJ Approves Check24's Practices

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European Court of Justice Rules in Favor of Online Insurance Comparison: Check24's Fight for Fair Competition

Online insurance comparison: European Court of Justice backs Check24's pricing practices - Online JudgeCheck24 Insurance Rate Comparison Case: European Court of Justice's Decision

Hey there! Let's dive into a cool legal battle that's been heating up in Europe. Check24, an insurance comparison platform, has been going head-to-head with insurance company HUK-Coburg over the use of a grading system for insurance products. Sounds intense, right?

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has recently given its verdict on this matter, and it's a win for Check24! Initially, HUK-Coburg argued that Check24's grading system constituted unfair comparative advertising. Here's the lowdown:

  • The dispute originated from the Munich I Regional Court, which had to decide a lawsuit between Huk-Coburg and Check24.
  • Check24, which compares insurance offers based on various criteria, uses a grading system that assigns grades from 1.0 to 4.0.
  • Huk-Coburg saw this grading system as a form of impermissible comparative advertising. However, the ECJ believes it's crucial to determine whether these conditions can be met under a grading or points system.

But hang on, let's not get ahead of ourselves! The ECJ didn't directly answer the Munich court's question regarding grading or points systems. Instead, it focused on whether Check24's online comparison service can be considered comparative advertising at all, considering whether the provider competes with insurance companies.

The regional court now needs to examine whether there's a competitive relationship between Check24 and Huk-Coburg. This will help determine if their respective services can be considered interchangeable, and if they are active in the same market.

The ECJ has previously evaluated the file and concluded that Check24 is not an insurance company itself. The portal primarily acts as a comparison and brokerage platform, focusing on comparing tariffs and mediating contracts with insurers. As a result, it seems that Check24 and Huk-Coburg may not be actively competing in the same service market.

So, what's next? The Munich court must decide on the specific lawsuit, but they'll need to take the ECJ's assessment into account.

  • ECJ
  • Check24
  • Insurance Rate
  • Comparison
  • Luxembourg
  • Munich I Regional Court
  • EU
  1. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in favor of Check24, an online insurance comparison platform, negating HUK-Coburg's argument that their grading system constituted unfair comparative advertising.
  2. The ECJ's decision determines that check24's online comparison service may not be considered comparative advertising, as the portal primarily functions as a comparison and brokerage platform, not an insurance company itself.
  3. The Munich I Regional Court will now need to examine the competitive relationship between Check24 and HUK-Coburg to determine if their respective services can be deemed interchangeable, and active in the same market.
  4. The ECJ's assessment of the case was conducted in Luxembourg, within the framework of European Community law.

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