Italian insurance contract law provides that notice of a claim for damages by a third party to a liability insurer or notice of commencement of court action by a third party will suspend any limitation period specified under the insurance contract until the rights of the damaged party have become enforceable or become time-barred. 

A recent decision by Italy’s highest court, the Italian Supreme Court (Corte di Cassazione) confirms that in relation to insurance claims, the contractual limitation period is suspended when the insurer is notified of a request for indemnity by the damaged party or by a third party and not only when such notification is made by the insured.

For further information, please contact Nicolò Juvara at Norton Rose Fulbright Studio Legale.