Google and the UK government reportedly met several times to discuss self-driving car plans, including insurance concerns on the upcoming technology.
Documents obtained by The Telegraph revealed the US online search giant "held five face-to-face meetings" with the UK's Department for Transport (Dft) from Jan. 2014 to July earlier this year.
Google, who is currently testing its self-driving cars in California, reportedly sees the UK "as a key market" for such vehicles. However, it wasn't indicated if testing would extend to the country.
In one meeting, Google X head of policy Sarah Hunter was said to have been "very positive about the non-regulatory approach being taken in the UK." The minutes of the said meeting further indicated that "the UK [is] in a good position and could be seen as an example of best practice."
A separate meeting held at Google's experimental division's California headquarters, Hunter said the country "has shown remarkable leadership in this area," according to The Telegraph.
The DfT's head of technology, Michael Hurwitz was quoted saying the department, "emphasized our desire to work with Google to ensure the UK stays ahead."
Much of the document has been redacted to protect commercial interest, according to the website. However, it did show Google's interest on how insurance will handle driverless cars.
Insuring such vehicles is "a tricky [question]," Ars Technica UK said since responsibility for accidents can't be blamed on the person in the driver's seat, "especially if there isn't any."
To that end, the Dft reportedly said it would refer the online search giant to the Bank of England. The institution is said to be working on "modelling activity on [the] insurance sector and want to speak to Google."
The Bank earlier said self-driving cars will bring lower premiums and shift liability to manufacturers.
The meetings mirror alleged talks between California regulators and Apple, believed to be developing their own driverless car.
Google didn't comment on the reported meetings with UK officials, according to The Telegraph.
