which was already part of EU law. In the case of sinking, collision, or shipwreck, victims no longer have to prove the carrier was at fault, and may receive up to in damages as set by a judge. However, for accidental injuries like slips and falls, the victim must still prove fault. All carriers must be insured, and victims may apply directly to the insurance company for compensation. Compensation for lost or damaged luggage is set at . These improvements will take effect by 2013, at which time all Europeans travelling between countries will enjoy these protections. The regulation will eventually be extended to domestic travel as well. This regulation was initially opposed by some member states. Shipowner insurance Before Directive 2009/20/EC was enacted, there was no legal requirement for European shipowners to carry insurance against damage to third parties caused by their ships. International law does not require such insurance. The directive requires European-flagged ships to carry coverage consistent with the International Maritime Organization's 1996 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC 1996) by 1 January 2012. The trade association BIMCO called this provision "virtually toothless", noting that it generally reflects the current insurance regime. References European Union law