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LIVING IN FRANCE

SNCF unveils cheaper prices to tempt customers back to French trains

French train operator SNCF has unveiled a new pricing structure and discount cards for high-speed TGV lines in the hope of tempting customers back to train travel after a year of pandemic-related passenger shortfalls.

Published: 2 June 2021 16:42 CEST
SNCF unveils cheaper prices to tempt customers back to French trains
Photo: Denis Charlet/AFP

At a press conference, SNCF bosses unveiled several new measures, including a new Advantage card.

Available to everyone, the card offers a 30 percent reduction on all of the high-speed TGV trains and is valid for a year. The card itself costs €49 and also guarantees a price cap to all destinations. 

The company already operates a series of other discount cards, which will remain in use, but they are targetted at specific groups like children, young people or families.

From June 17th, the company also aims to revise and simplify their schedule, bringing an end to first class tickets that sometimes end up being cheaper than second class tickets. 

In second class, around 25 percent of TGV journeys of approximately 90 minutes will cost no more than €39, 50 percent of journeys of up to three hours will cost no more than €59, and 25 percent of longer journeys will cost no more than €79.

The company will also introduce an annual pass for those who frequently work from home.

Known as the ‘Grand Voyageur’, the scheme is targeted at those who travel by train two or three times per week. 

At the start of 2022, SNCF will also introduce a scheme for seniors, allowing unlimited access (between Mondays and Fridays) on TGV lines for €79 per month. This is similar to the TGV Max, available for young people between the ages of 16-27.

Additionally, ticket refunds and exchanges up to three days before travel – first introduced during the pandemic to allow for rapidly changing health rules – will become permanent.

“By 2030, our objective is to have more than 200 million trips per year thanks to the high speed lines and [the introduction of] these discount cards” said Christopher Fanichet, CEO of Voyages SNCF.

Member comments

  1. May I request that you confirm the details in the paragraph: “In second class, around 25 percent of TGV journeys of approximately 90 minutes will cost no more than €39, 50 percent of journeys of up to three hours will cost no more than €59, and 25 percent of longer journeys will cost no more than €79.”

    From reporting elsewhere, my reading is different, namely that the price cap means that all journeys of less than 90 minutes will cost €39,50 – and these short journeys currently represent 25% of the total number of train journeys take. All journeys of between 90 minutes and 3 hours will have a price cap of €59 – and these medium length journeys currently represent 50% of the total number of train journeys take etc. Clarification would be appreciated.

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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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