Based on the provided legal document, here are the key points regarding the liability of insurers for passengers in goods vehicles:

• Insurer Liability Determination: The insurer is not liable to pay compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 for the death or bodily injury of a person traveling in a goods vehicle as a passenger. [judgement_subject] (!) (!)
• Legislative Intent and Terminology: The difference in language between "goods vehicle" in the old Act (1939) and "goods carriage" in the new Act (1988) is significant. The old Act allowed goods vehicles to carry passengers "in addition to passengers," whereas the new Act defines "goods carriage" as solely for the carriage of goods, implying a prohibition on carrying passengers. (!) (!)
• Absence of Compulsory Insurance Provision: Unlike the old Act (Section 95 proviso clause ii), the new Act (Section 147) does not contain a provision requiring compulsory insurance coverage for passengers in goods carriages. (!)
• Statutory Coverage Limits: Section 147 of the Act mandates compulsory coverage only for "public service vehicles" and limits coverage for employees carried in goods vehicles to liabilities under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, with no reference to general passengers. (!)
• Conclusion on Statutory Liability: The provisions of the Act do not impose any statutory liability on the owner of a vehicle to get it insured for any passenger traveling in a goods carriage; consequently, the insurer has no liability. (!)
• Judicial Precedent: This view is supported by the decision in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Asha Rani and Ors. (2003 (2) SCC 223). (!)
• Outcome: The appeals were allowed, setting aside the judgment of the Tribunal and the High Court. (!)