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

Here's what is happening in France in the week beginning May 10th.

Published: 10 May 2021 10:53 CEST

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

This week of the first opportnity of the year to 'faire le pont'.Photo: Damien Meyer/AFP

Monday, May 10th

There’s a new phase of the vaccine strategy, from May 10th anyone over 50 is eligible for a vaccine. Here’s how to book.

French MPs consider the projet de loi relatif à la gestion de la sortie de crise sanitaire (proposed bill on the management of the exit from the health crisis) which includes repealing the State of Health emergency and debating the introduction of the ‘health pass‘ for tourism and leisure activities in France.

Tuesday, May 11th

The Senate examines the bill on the changes to social security system.

Wednesday, May 12th

Opening up of last-minute vaccine appointments to all adults. From today, if you can find a vaccine appointment for the next 24 hours on any booking platform you are entitled to book it, even if you are not in an eligible group. Here’s how booking will work.

Hearing at the Court of Appeal for Airbus and Air France over the crash of the Rio-Paris air disaster in 2009.

Verdict expected in the case of soldier Nordhal Lelandais over a second killing.

Festival of Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

Thursday, May 13th

Thursday is a public holiday for Ascension Day, unusually the first holiday in May this year. Normally May 1st and May 8th are both holidays in France, but fell on a Saturday this year. Friday will therefore be the first chance for French workers to faire le pont in 2021.

READ ALSO The French holiday calendar 2021

Friday, May 14th

Events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the rafle du billet vert (green ticket round-up), the first in what became a series of round-ups of Jews by the French Vichy government. Detained Jews were deported to camps, including concentration camps in Germany and Poland where many were murdered.

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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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