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LIVING IN FRANCE

This week in France: What you need to know

From Christmas rules to a crunch EU deadline and an extra Christmas festival, here's what is coming up in France this week.

Published: 6 December 2021 08:47 CET
A Saint Nicolas parade in Nancy, France
Photo: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP

Remember that this week new travel rules are in force – as of Saturday, December 4th – requiring negative Covid tests for all non-EU arrivals, vaccinated or not. Find the full breakdown of the rules here. 

Monday

Covid crisis meeting

The French government is holding a meeting – two days ahead of the regular Wednesday Defence Council meetings – to decide whether new restrictions are needed in France in the face of the fifth wave of Covid and the newly-discovered Omicron variant.

The meeting of the government’s “health council”, on Monday, December 6th, will “see if there is a need to take additional measures”, French PM Jean Castex said.

READ ALSO: French PM announces crisis meeting to decide France’s Covid Christmas rules

St Nicolas Day

Monday is also Saint Nicolas Day, which if you’re in north-east France involves celebrations, parades, festivals, small gifts and special gingerbread.

READ ALSO The extra December festival that some of France celebrates

Wednesday

French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a rare press conference (the second in 4 years) mainly on the subject of Europe to coincide with France taking over the presidency of the European Council in January.

“He will present his main priorities for Europe during France’s presidency,” a source from the Elysée told Le Parisien.

Friday

Truckers protests

Truckers in France are going on strike. It is unclear at this point whether they will deliberately block roads, which would lead to traffic jams across the country. We will be monitoring for disruption and will keep you updated. 

Fishing deadline

The EU has given the UK until December 10th to resolve issues over outstanding post-Brexit fishing licences, the great majority of which are for French boats.

If an agreement is not reached by then, the EU will look at beginning legal proceedings, but the passing of the deadline could also see extra actions from the French government, or more blockades of Channel ports and roads from the increasing irate French fishermen’s groups.

Sunday 

Independence referendum

France could become a little smaller. 

The islands of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean are voting in an independence referendum. It is the third such referendum since 2018. Pro-independence groups have called for the vote to be delayed and warned that they would not participate due to the pandemic. Paris insists that the result of Sunday’s vote in the French overseas territory will be legally binding. 

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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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