Romanian court orders insurer to pay moral damages after dog hit by car

A Romanian court has ordered an RCA insurer to pay moral damages to a dog owner whose pet was struck by a car in Oradea in March 2024. The ruling acknowledges the emotional distress suffered by the owner following the incident.

The incident occurred when a driver, exiting a roundabout, failed to yield to the man and his dog, a 5-year-old French bulldog, as they crossed a pedestrian crossing. The dog sustained injuries and required immediate veterinary care. While the driver was fined and admitted fault, the insurer, Groupama Asigurări SA, only agreed to cover partial veterinary costs.

The insurer had refused to pay moral damages, arguing that such compensation is only applicable to humans who suffer bodily harm or death. They also contested some of the veterinary expenses for the dog's supplements. The dog's owner sued the company, seeking compensation for both veterinary bills and the moral suffering caused by the accident.

The Oradea Court, in its ruling on April 17, 2026, stated that moral prejudice encompasses "any attack on one of the prerogatives that constitute an attribute of human personality" and manifests as physical or moral suffering. The court recognized the psychological suffering experienced by the owner, particularly given his strong emotional bond with the dog, which had previously belonged to his deceased wife. The court awarded 2,000 lei in moral damages and fully granted the claim for material damages, totaling 1,627 lei for veterinary expenses, including prescribed supplements.