Home and Auto Insurance in France?

[mkettner]

We have a new member that is asking the following question:

"She would like to know whether things like building and contents insurance and motor insurance are comparable with the the UK."

If we can support her as a community and come up with our best answers, I know she will appreciate it.

Thank you for your assistance

[sarah]

I live in the South of France, so can only advice on that area.

The pricing for insurance (both car and home) is about the same in France as it is in the UK. The only problem I had, was not being able to shop around as much as you can in the UK. You might pay a little bit more if you're wanting them explained to you in English, but other then that, the pricing is very similar. Your insurances usually automatically renew and you must inform them 3 months before if you want to cancel, (or not carry on with them for another year). You can usually pay monthly (with no extra charge), or annually. The 3 month notice is usual with most things in France, so don't assume after a years premium things won't renew if you don't give them the 3 months notice.

[mkettner]

Thank you for coming to the rescue and helping a new member with the question. I am sure it will benefit others in the forum as well.

[chrism]

Hi there,
It's not always the case that you pay more for explanations in English. I'm insured with a company called Schreinemachers Sarl, based in the Gers, but cover the whole of France, who all speak English and even provide many of their policies translated into English and will translate claims back into French (which we have found very useful!).

They are a Generali broker but decided to specialize in the English-speaking market, so their prices are comparable to any other French broker.

They have a website at insurance.fr for anyone looking for more information.

Regards,
Chris

[stevetrebors]

Hi there,

I know a good website when it comes to that sort of technical advice, they publish a great guide, and I've noticed recently that they are dealing with insurance. Go to Google UK an type 'Guides and Information on France', the third link is great.

Good luck with your searches!

Kindly,

Steve T.

[frogblogger]

In the smallest of towns you find several brokers. Most have employees with some English. Even if they have close ties with one or other insurance company, by making it clear you are shopping around they'll come up with the best quotes possible.

Another advantage of going this route is having a personal face-to-face contact where you are living. They make that much more effort to keep you happy - they know you can easily go next door if you are not satisfied.

I've had the bulk of my policies with the same agent in the local town for fifteen years now. If his preferred contact gets too pricey, he goes out of his way to find alternatives - he's not completely tied to the main company he represents (Assurances du Mans).

It's proved to be a pretty satisfactory way of doing things over the years.
_____________________________
Pete - FrogBlogging from Chiang Mai

[brucesarn]

Hi, a little late in replying I know, and most of you questions have been answered - just an additional peice of information worth knowing, there is no comparable AA/RAC here in France and, if like my wife and I when first here, your French is not too good it is worth paying for certain full comprehensive car insurance packages which come with vehicle recovery and rental replacement services. I have found the full package comes in at about the same cost as UK car insurance and AA/RAC cover but has a few added benefits, one of which is anyone can drive your vehicle and be fully comprehensively covered without having to be a named driver. Hope this helps.

[gravytrain]

How do the car insurance costs compare these days with the rise of the EURO? Is there much affecting the costs with the rise of the Euro and the decrease of the pound in France on full comprehensive car insurance?

[brucesarn]

Hi Gravytrain,
Unfortunatley French prices do not fluctuate in favour of the UK pound - as the pound takes a hammering so do the price hikes here relative to the exchange rate. It is still markedly cheaper to live in France than in the UK if you shop carefully.

[frogblogger]

The only positive thing is that sterling has just reached its highest level against the euro in 3 weeks (90p-ish), and the outlook for the euro is no better than for sterling, according to some pundits...