Doctors and scientists are unanimous: containment measures are effective in stopping the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. As a result, the French are ordered to stay at home since March 17 and until April 15 at least. Who says confinement, says reduced displacements even nonexistent and cars in the garage. But then, in this situation, are we obliged to cover them?
Mandatory insurance
In auto insurance, French law is clear: "All vehicles must be covered by insurance (…). For the purposes of this article, the term “vehicle” means any land motor vehicle, that is to say any self-propelled vehicle intended to travel on the ground and which can be actuated by mechanical force without being linked to a track", (article L211-1 of the Insurance Code). A compulsory insurance contract including if the car does not drive, because it can always cause damage to a third party. "Even immobilized in a garage, a car is likely to cause a lot of damage such as a fire or an explosion. Worse still, in the event of theft of the vehicle, the damage caused by the thief could be charged at first to the owner" , can we read on the comparator website LeLynx.fr. Whether parked or stopped for an extended period, your car must be covered.
Third party or kilometer insurance
If the suspension of the insurance contract therefore seems to be unthinkable, other solutions could nevertheless allow you to make some savings. If you are insured against all risks or with an intermediate contract, you can first lower the guarantees of your insurance by opting for a third party formula. It will thus reduce your costs without risk, since your vehicle does not drive (or almost). You can also opt for a kilometer insurance contract, also called "pay how you drive". This type of plan allows you to be insured only while driving and not to pay when your vehicle is stationary. Ask your insurer if you are eligible and if they offer this type of package. Once the confinement is complete, remember to revert to the original contract: insurance per kilometer can be very expensive if the car drives normally.
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