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Reader question: What do I do if I lose my carte de séjour?

Getting your hands on a precious French residency document can be a lengthy process but what if the card is lost or stolen?

Published: 20 July 2021 10:30 CEST

Reader question: What do I do if I lose my carte de séjour?

Photo: Thomas Coex | AFP

If you are a non-EU citizen, a carte de séjour is proof of your right to live and work in France. It is therefore a very important document, and how you replace one if you lose it depends on whether you are in France or in another country at the time.

You have lost your carte de séjour in France

If you are in France, you should contact the préfecture (or sub-prefecture) of your place of residence to declare the loss of your card and request a duplicate. In Paris, you should contact the Paris Police Préfecture – Residence Permits Service.

You will need certain documents, including: a declaration on your honour that you have lost your original card; a photocopy of the card if you have it; your passport and proof of address that is less than three months’ old (eg an electricity or water bill).

Please note, the requirements may differ from départment to départment, so it’s a good idea to check what documents you will require. Most of the information will be readily available online, but if you are not sure, contact the Bureau des étrangers office at your local préfecture

You will be charged a fee, depending on the type of card you are replacing. A replacement 10-year residency card will cost €225 except in certain circumstances.

You have lost your carte de séjour while abroad

You must first declare the loss in the country to local police, as well as to the French embassy or consulate in the country. Then you can apply for a return visa in order to be able to return to France. Be aware, however, that the consulate will contact the prefecture that originally issued the card – this can take some time.

On your return to France, you must contact the préfecture (or sub-prefecture) of your place of residence to declare the loss of your carte and request a duplicate, as per the process for anyone who has lost their card in France.

So in short, guard that card with your life and make sure you have photos of it just in case.

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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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