Automobile Insurance in France

When living in France, understanding your automobile insurance coverage is an important part of being a driver. French law requires Auto Liability Insurance for damage and injury that you may cause to others. Other optional coverages for damage to your vehicle and bodily injury to you are recommended but not required by law. Getting the right mix of coverages suited to your needs is as important as securing the right price suited to your budget.

What's Required?


Auto Liability Insurance, referred to as Third-Party Liability, is required by French Law to operate any motor vehicle. It protects you against the cost of property damage and bodily injury that you may cause to another in an automobile accident. This insurance automatically includes legal counseling and defense costs coverage for any suit in which you may be involved as a result of your liability.

Once insured, you will receive a "proof of insurance" certificate that must be affixed to your windshield. Sometimes referred to as a "carte verte" (literally "green card"), this proof of insurance is required when driving throughout France, Europe and a number of surrounding countries.

Along with your proof of insurance (i.e. green card), you will also receive a standard accident report form, called "un constat amiable d’accident." In the event of an auto accident, the form is to be completed and signed by both drivers and allows space for each to include a written and graphic description of the accident. The constat amiable is a carbon copy form that provides each driver with a copy to send to their respective insurer. You should be careful when filling in the motor accident claim form with the other driver so as to avoid any future disputes. It is important to note that only the pages signed on the front by both parties count as legal proof.

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Optional Coverages


Collision and Comprehensive Insurance


Collision and Comprehensive Insurance provides extensive coverage for collision and damages to your car due to vandalism, fire, theft, glass breakage, storms, hail, snow fall, and a number of other causes. Known as First-Party coverage because it protects your vehicle, it is not required by French Law. If you’re driving a car purchased or financed through a lender, you may be required by the lender to carry collision insurance. To meet that requirement or if you simply want coverage to protect your vehicle, you should consider this all-inclusive insurance coverage.

Fire/Theft/Glass Breakage Insurance


Fire, Theft, and Glass Breakage is another First-Party coverage that protects your vehicle in the event of Fire or Theft. Although this coverage is not as extensive as Collision and Comprehensive insurance, it includes glass breakage coverage for your windshield and headlights glass, as well as coverage for the theft of accessories such as stereo equipment, etc. Depending on the circumstances, it may also cover damages due to storms, hail, and snow fall. Although not mandatory, this is a frequently subscribed coverage.

Driver’s Personal Protection


If you suffer bodily injury following an auto accident, Aon’s unique Driver’s Personal Protection guarantees payment of up to €200,000. Driver’s Personal Protection covers you for bodily injury as a result of an auto accident that you may cause, or in certain instances, where there is no liable third party to cover you for personal injury. This optional insurance coverage is offered to protect you for those particular situations.

Aon Assistance: 24/7 Roadside and Medical Assistance


This optional coverage is twofold. It provides roadside assistance when you are traveling in France, Europe, and neighboring countries and medical assistance when traveling outside of France.

  • Roadside assistance


    Assistance is provided at any time, day or night, when you have problems with your car. For a breakdown or simply a flat tire, you can call Aon Assistance 24/7, and someone will be there to fix your tire or tow your car if necessary. In some instances, Aon Assistance will arrange for a replacement vehicle. In case of theft, a replacement vehicle will be provided for up to 35 days.

  • Medical assistance


    If you are traveling and need medical care during a personal trip outside of France (including Canada or the USA), you can receive up to €100,000 as reimbursement of medical expenses incurred.

Bonus Discount Plan


If you have no prior claims, you are eligible for a "bonus" discount on your auto insurance premium. Your discount is based on the number of years you have been "claims free." Unlike many insurance brokers or agents in France, we will accept a claims history report, even if it is not in French, from your prior insurer either in your home country or anywhere else. Your claims history report will be used to determine your bonus discount.