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FEATURE

On the agenda: What’s happening in France this week?

Here's a look ahead to what is happening in France on the week beginning April 19th.

Published: 19 April 2021 11:02 CEST
On the agenda: What's happening in France this week?
Local postal strikes are scheduled this week. Photo: Philippe Huguen/AFP

Monday, April 19th

The government formally presents new travel restrictions, which include the introduction of a compulsory quarantine for arrivals from four countries and the suspension of flights between France and Brazil. The quarantine, announced over the weekend, is aimed at containing the P1 variant of Covid-19.

If you have ideas on the future direction of the EU, an online platform has now been launched to enable European citizens to share their ideas for the future of the Bloc.

Postal strike in Loire-Atlantique. If you live in the Loire-Atlantique département you can expect delays in the postal service due to a strike beginning on Monday by members of the CGT and SUD unions. La Poste says this will particularly impact delivery dates on parcels.

Tuesday, April 20th

The beginning of a tribunal hearing in Lille on the future of office supplies firm Office Depot, which went into receivership earlier in the year but was allowed by the court to continue trading. The chain of 60 stores across France employs 1,750 people.

Wednesday, April 21st

Meeting of the Defence Council which looks at the latest Covid situation and any measures that can be imposed or relaxed.

Thursday, April 22nd

International climate summit in Washington, organised by the US government.

Regular weekly update on the Covid situation in France from the health ministry. There are not expected to be any major changes in the health rules this week.

Friday, April 23rd

Demonstrations are planned across France in protest at reforms of the unemployment system. This part of an ongoing project from Emmanuel Macron’s government which it says focuses the system more on training and skills and getting people back into work. Unions say the new measures are less generous and will disadvantage people such as seasonal workers. 

End of the rescheduled Easter holidays for schools across France. Normally school holiday dates vary according to region, but this year the dates were changed to give all schools a complete three-week closure, in the hopes of slowing Covid cases. The holiday ends on Friday with crèches and primary schools returning to in-person teaching on April 26th, while secondary and high schools have one more week of distance learning before reopening on May 3rd.

READ ALSO What parents in France need to know about school closures

End of the initial ban on flights between France and Brazil, which was imposed as a one-week measure. This could, however, be extended.

Saturday, April 24th

Full enforcement of the quarantine on arrivals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and South Africa. Measures will be introduced gradually over the week and by Saturday police will be told to enforce them fully, with fines for non-compliance.

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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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