Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

LIVING IN FRANCE

On the agenda: Here’s what is happening in France this week

Here is what is happening in France on the week beginning June 7th.

Published: 7 June 2021 09:44 CEST
On the agenda: Here's what is happening in France this week
The bitterly contested pension reforms saw weeks of transport strikes. Photo: Clement Mahoudeau/AFP

Monday, June 7th

Bill on bioethics, which includes expanding provisions for IVF treatment to lesbian couples, comes before the Assemblée nationale.

Tuesday, June 8th

Deadline for the annual tax declaration for people living in départements 55 to 975 (which includes the Paris region). Find details of who needs to complete the declaration HERE.

Hearing in the Commercial Court on the future of metal foundry Fonderies du Poitou, which is threatened with bankruptcy and the loss of all 570 jobs.

France play Bulgaria at Stade de France in the final warm-up match in advance of the postponed Euro2020 tournament.

Wednesday, June 9th

The start of phase 3 of France’s reopening plans, with bars, cafés and restaurants allowed to reopen their indoor spaces, gyms and swimming pools reopening and the curfew moving back to 11pm. You can find the full list of changes HERE.

The traffic light system will be introduced for international travel, meaning that fully vaccinated travellers from countries including the UK, USA and Canada will be able to travel to France for any reason including tourism, family visits and visits from second-home owners. Travellers from orange countries will still need a negative Covid test, however, and questions remain over what proof of vaccination status will be accepted. Find the full explanation HERE.

France will begin using the health passport – requiring proof of either vaccination, negative Covid test or recent recovery from Covid, to enter certain events and venues.

Thursday, June 10th

France’s State Council hears a case brought by unions attempting to delay the implementation of president Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms, the subject of mass transportation strike in December 2019 and January 2020.

A strike by psychologists over proposed changes to professional registration rules.

Friday, June 11th

First reading in the Assemblée national of the budget.

Trial begins of the rapper Kalash over an alleged hit-and-run on the Champs-Elysee. Kalash, from the French overseas territory of Martinique, has filed his own case against police, who he claims insulted, punched and strangled him during the arrest, which came after a Drake concert in March 2019.

Start of the Euro 2020 tournament with Italy v Turkey.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

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.

SHOW COMMENTS