Recital 21

(21)The right to invoke the insurance contract and to claim against the insurance undertaking directly is of great importance for the protection of victims of motor vehicle accidents. Directive 2000/26/EC already provides victims of accidents occurring in a Member State other than the Member State of residence of the injured party, which are caused by the use of vehicles insured and normally based in a Member State, with a right of direct action against the insurance undertaking covering the person responsible against civil liability. In order to facilitate an efficient and speedy settlement of claims and to avoid as far as possible costly legal proceedings, this right should be extended to victims of any motor vehicle accident.