How does car insurance work in France?
Car insurance in France is mandatory for all motor vehicles, even if they are not in use. Here’s how it works:
1. Types of Car Insurance in France
There are three main types of car insurance:
- “Assurance au tiers” (Third-party insurance) – The minimum legal requirement. It covers damages caused to others (bodily injury and property damage) but does not cover damages to your own vehicle.
- “Assurance au tiers étendu” (Third-party extended insurance) – Includes additional protections such as theft, fire, and natural disasters.
- “Assurance tous risques” (Comprehensive insurance) – The most complete coverage, covering both third-party damages and your own vehicle in case of an accident, even if you’re at fault.
2. No-Claims Bonus (Bonus-Malus System)
- In France, insurers use a bonus-malus system to adjust premiums based on your driving history.
- If you don’t have accidents, your premium decreases (bonus).
- If you cause accidents, your premium increases (malus).
If you have a foreign no-claims bonus, transfer it to your French insurer (Not all insurance companies offer this, but with us at Allianz, it’s possible!)
3. What’s Required to Get Car Insurance?
To insure a car in France, you typically need:
- A valid driver’s license (foreign licenses may be accepted).
- A Carte Grise (vehicle registration document).
- Previous Insurance Certificate : If you were insured before, it helps with no-claims bonuses (in France, the document is called a “relevé d’information”).
- Proof of address in France (utility bill, rental contract)
4. Is My Insurance Valid in Other Countries?
- French car insurance usually includes European coverage, allowing you to drive in other EU countries.
- The Green Card (carte verte) serves as proof of insurance when traveling abroad.
5. What to Do in Case of an Accident?
- Fill out a Constat Amiable d’Accident (European Accident Statement), a standard form used for insurance claims.
- Notify your insurance company within 5 days.
- If there are injuries or a dispute, call the police (17) or emergency services (112).
How to insure a uk car in France ?
We need three items:
- your driver’s license
- your vehicle registration
- choose a policy and make the first payment
- proof of address in France (utility bill, rental contract)
You can use a UK driving license to get car insurance in France, but certain conditions apply depending on the length of your stay and the issue date of your license. Please check our dedicated page for more details.
French car insurance
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