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LIVING IN FRANCE

What changes about life in France in November 2020?

France will spend November confined as the country has entered a four-week nationwide lockdown. But there are still things to look out for in the coming month.

Published: 30 October 2020 17:26 CET
Updated: 1 November 2020 10:38 CET
What changes about life in France in November 2020?
Photos: AFP

A second lockdown

France has entered lockdown again, which will be in place for the entire month of November and is currently set to end on December 1st. That means the return of the now well-known attestation – the document everyone must carry to justify their outings.

While this second lockdown is almost as restrictive as the one in March, there are a few differences when it comes to when you are allowed to leave your home. As schools remain open, there are now two “permanent attestations”, one issued by employers for those going to work, one issued by schools.

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Gas prices increase

From November 1st gas prices will increase by 1.6 percent on average for French households because of the rising prices in the markets, according to the French Energy Regulation Commission (CRE).

Gas prices have been rising since August with a spike of 4.7 percent in October. This month the increase will be 0.4 percent for households depending on gas for cooking, 1.7 percent for those using gas for heating, and 0.9 percent for homes using gas for both purposes.

Tobacco prices increase

Cigarette prices in France have risen steadily for years. Another price hike on November 1st, by €0.50 on average, will push most brands over the symbolic €10 mark. This includes cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and rolling tobacco. 

Depending on the brand, the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes will rise from €9.50 to €10, others from €9.80 to €10.30 or €10 to €10.50. Here are a list of all the brands of tobacco and their respective price hike.

The French government helps smokers quit

For those wanting to quit what has become an increasingly expensive habit, November 1st also marks the first day of the Mois sans tabac (Month without tobacco), a government led campaign to convince people to quit smoking.

Set up in 2016, the “Mois sans tabac”, offers free helping kits to smokers who wish to try and stop, including a coaching app with tips and games, free calls with tobaccologists and help from local support groups.

 

Armistice Day 

November 11th marks the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918, when the Allies and Germany signed the Armistice of World War I at Compiègne in France.

Armistice Day is a public holiday, so it normally means everyone gets the day off.

Usually there military parades and other activities going on that day, but with the lockdown it's unsure what this year's celebration will look like.

The 'winter truce' begins

The winter truce, called la trêve hivernale runs from November 1st to March 31st. During this period, French landlords are not legally allowed to evict their tenants.

Set up as a means to prevent people from becoming homeless and end up sleeping rough during winter, water and power cuts are also forbidden during the winter truce.

However, there are three exceptions that could allow a landlord to boot his tenant out in the winter: if the home is in danger, if the tenant gets another place to live or if the home is squatted. 

This spring, the government extended the truce with several months due to the exceptional conditions caused by the lockdown.

Reduced banking fees for some

From November 1st, banks will limit their fees to €25 for some clients for a period of three months (€20 if they have a special deal). Those concerned are those in a “vulnerable” economic situation, according to the criteria listed at the French government's website.

Don't forget to pay your residence tax and TV licence fee

Although 80 percent of taxpayers in France no longer have to pay the residence tax (taxe d'habitation) in 2020, 20 percent of the most wealthy still have to pay it until 2022. The deadline to pay this tax is November 16th by post and November 21st online. 

Households equipped with a TV have to pay the €138 TV licence fee. The deadlines are the the same as those for the residence tax. 

Priority flu vaccination for over-65s

France has launched a major campaign to get people vaccinated with the aim of avoiding flooding hospitals with both flu and Covd-19 patients this winter.

The campaign officially started on October 13th and runs until January 31st, although health authorities are prioritising vulnerable groups until November 30th.

These are:

  • Over 65s
  • People with chronic or long-term health conditions
  • People with a BMI of 40 or over
  • Pregnant women
  • People who live with those who cannot be vaccinated, including babies and those who are immunocompromised

READ MORE What you need to know about France's 2020 flu vaccination campaign

One of our favourite French TV series is back..

And seeing as we all might need something to cheer us up these weeks, the final season of the extremely binge-worthy show Dix pourcent (Ten percent) is out. If you don't know it, we recommend you curl up with a blanket and some popcorn, and enjoy.

 

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PROPERTY

How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

Storm Ciaran’s property-wrecking passage through France - with another storm forecast for the weekend - may have many people wondering how comprehensive their insurance cover is. 

Published: 3 November 2023 15:45 CET
How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover. 

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract. 

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs. 

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases. 

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work. 

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim. 

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued. 

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster). 

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out. 

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

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