In five years, 3,47 million EUR has been paid out in MTPL compensation to relatives of those killed in RTA accidents.
In 2025, the amount of compensation payments made by insurers to relatives of those killed in road traffic accidents (hereinafter – RTA) reached 858 thousand euros, according to the Latvian Motor Insurers' Bureau (hereinafter – LTAB) information compiled. Of this, 199 thousand euros were paid out last year in compensation for the funeral expenses of the deceased, but 659 thousand euros for the pain and loss experienced by the family when losing a breadwinner, dependent or spouse. Over the past five years (2021-2025), a total of 3,47 million euros have been paid out in OCTA compensation to the relatives of the deceased in the RTA.
The number of road users killed in Latvia in recent years has been relatively high. Information compiled by the Road Traffic Safety Directorate shows that a total of 634 people have lost their lives on Latvian roads in the last five years (2021-2025). “Behind each of these figures is a person and a family whose lives change significantly after an accident. Although the number of road users killed has decreased proportionally in the last two years, the OCTA compensation paid to the relatives of the deceased has increased. This means that more and more attention is being paid to supporting the relatives of the victims,” says LTAB board member Juris Stengrevics. “For example, in 2021, when the number of fatalities was higher – 151 people, 684 thousand euros were paid out in compensation. Last year, there were 118 fatalities, but the amount paid out increased to 858 thousand euros.”
At the same time LTAB experience shows that not all victims or relatives of the deceased take advantage of the opportunity to receive compensation, because they are not sufficiently informed about the types of losses covered by OCTA insurers, and also when and how to apply for compensation. “OCTA is not just about car repairs – it is also about people. It helps cover medical treatment, supports families after serious accidents and provides financial assistance in situations when life suddenly changes due to an accident,” emphasizes LTAB representative, adding that OCTA covers losses for any road user (including pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) who has been injured in a collision with a vehicle and was not responsible for causing it.
MTPL compensation for damages caused to a person's life is due to the dependents of the deceased person if their breadwinner died in a road traffic accident, to the person who undertook the burial, as well as to the deceased's spouse, breadwinner or dependent - for pain and mental suffering due to death.
To help people better understand their rights and actions after an accident, this year LTAB together with the State Fire and Rescue Service, is implementing a public education campaign. Its goal is to explain in a simple way both the possibilities of receiving compensation and the correct action to take after a road traffic accident. The campaign is financed from the funds of the Road Traffic Safety Council – compulsory third party liability insurance (OCTA) of land vehicle owners, which insurance companies collect every quarter for the implementation of road traffic accident prevention measures LTAB in the account.
More information about different types of MTPL compensation can be found here: https://www.ltab.lv/atlidzibas/.