The Hungarian Motor Insurance Bureau (MABISZ) recently organized an insightful study trip to the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground near Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, inviting members of the COB Working Group on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles along with participants from several other countries. This event highlighted ZalaZONE’s pivotal role in automotive innovation, especially in the development and testing of autonomous driving technologies.

Located in western Hungary, the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground was established starting in 2017 to address a missing piece in the Central European automotive R&D landscape—a complex testing facility capable of supporting both traditional and cutting-edge vehicle testing. Officially operational since late 2019 through a partnership with AVL Hungary, it covers about 250 hectares dedicated to a complete ecosystem for testing electric, autonomous, conventional, and also military vehicles. Beyond its size, a key goal was to create a specialized facility that integrates real-world, controlled, and standardized testing environments to accelerate innovation in vehicle safety and autonomous systems.

ZalaZONE represents a unique and outstanding facility pushing the boundaries of what vehicle proving grounds can offer today, and offers a uniquely versatile and high-tech environment for comprehensive vehicle testing. It features 10 track modules, such as high-speed handling courses, dynamic platforms, rural roads, braking surfaces with different traction types, hill tracks, and a “smart city” module designed to emulate urban traffic environments for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicle trials. The proving ground includes the latest high-speed oval track, inaugurated in May 2025, featuring world-class design to test vehicle dynamics up to 270 km/h while meeting international standards. The facility is also equipped with advanced tools like AB Dynamics EuroNCAP equipment for ADAS testing, HD mapping, and professional engineering services, making it a leading hub in Europe for validating connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. ZalaZONE also operates a state-of-the-art automotive simulator.

MABISZ’s decision to organize this study trip reflects its forward-looking approach to automotive risk and insurance management, focusing on the evolving landscape shaped by autonomous driving. As autonomous vehicles promise to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and transform mobility, understanding their technology and associated risks is crucial for the insurance industry. By exposing insurance professionals and stakeholders from multiple countries to ZalaZONE’s state-of-the-art testing and demonstration capabilities, MABISZ aims to foster knowledge exchange and to prepare for the challenges and opportunities posed by automated driving and connected vehicle ecosystems.

The event included a presentation by Mr. Zoltán Hamar, Managing Director of ZalaZONE, who outlined the proving ground’s history, mission and technical capabilities. Attendees were then taken on a guided tour of the facility, witnessing live demonstrations of autonomous braking using ADAS technologies, showcasing the proving ground’s ability to test and validate safety-critical autonomous functions. The participants also enjoyed an exhilarating test drive experience in powerful sports cars on ZalaZONE’s high-speed and wet handling tracks, offering a rare and thrilling firsthand perspective on dynamic vehicle behaviour and control. This combination of technical insight and practical experience made the visit both educational and memorable. MABISZ’s focus on autonomous driving through such events underscores its commitment to innovation, safety, and the evolving needs of motor insurance as vehicles become smarter and more automated. ZalaZONE, with its cutting-edge features and comprehensive test ecosystem, stands out as a beacon for future mobility testing and development in Europe, and a unique one in the whole CEE region. This event emphasized not only technological progress but also the collaborative international spirit essential for advancing connected and autonomous vehicle industries globally.

The main objective of MABISZ is to represent and defend the interests of the Hungarian insurance sector, and our association is responsible for coordinating and organising activities of common interest to our members. The committees of MABISZ provide a forum for professionals and experts working in the same field to exchange experiences and to participate in (even external) professional events, plant visits.

On 5 June this year, the members of the MABISZ Property, Industrial and Technical Insurance Committee and Transport Insurance Committee were warmly welcomed by Schneider Electric’s CEELog logistics centre, where they received very detailed and useful technical information from their hosts during the plant visit.

As part of our social responsibility, we are always happy to participate in any charity event. This year, for the first time, we were honoured to be invited to the Children’s Day at the Heim Pál National Institute of Paediatrics, where we tried to surprise the little ones with colouring machines, cut-out cars made by many of our colleagues and lots of presents.

In line with its commitment to accident prevention and road safety, Association of Hungarian Insurance Companies(MABISZ) and National Police Headquarters- Hungarian Commission for Accident Prevention (ORFK-OBB) are organising Safety Week again this year from 15 to 21 September. In line with our tradition, the Child Safety regional road safety event series for Central Europe will also start at the same time. Details will be coming soon, but in the meantime you can check out our YouTube and Instagram sites for photo recaps of last year’s events.

Based on the reports of MABISZ members, the premium income of the Hungarian insurance market increased by 12.5% in 2024 on an adjusted premium basis compared to the previous year. Adjusted premium income in the life area grew by 15.1% and in the non-life area by 11.2%. The companies in the insurance sector are working responsibly for the benefit of Hungarian society, and they can be justly proud of this, said Mihály Erdős, President of the Association of Hungarian Insurance Companies, at his annual press conference on Monday 3rd March 2025.

Efficient and effective professional cooperation has been established this year between the Hungarian Insurers and the Associaton of Hungarian Insurance Companies(MABISZ), which can be built upon in the future – this was said at the executives’ roundtable discussion of the XIV International Insurance Conference of MABISZ on 20 November 2024. The largest annual event of the Hungarian insurance sector this year was dedicated to the role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in insurance.

The Association of Hungarian Insurers organised the “Assure Yourself!” case study competition for the eighth time. This year, 200 students from 68 secondary school teams from all over the country entered the competition. As part of the competition, the competing teams carried out a questionnaire survey of their fellow students on insurance knowledge and planned events to promote insurance effectively. The podium winners of the 15 November final were teams of secondary school students from Eger, Nyíregyháza and Székesfehérvár.