The populations are devastated, overwhelmed, outraged. Some angry and some vindictive. Strong emotions resulting from the death of young Nahel, 17, shot dead by a police officer. It was Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Nanterre, in the Hauts-de-Seine, in the Paris region. From, protests erupt in French streets, areas are ransacked. Damaged and burnt-out vehicles are no exception. They would be thousands to have been affected so far. During the 2005 riots in the suburbs, 10,000 claims were counted, mainly vehicles. What insurance covers the damage in this case and what are the steps to be taken for the owners concerned?
⋙ Is the insurance sticker still compulsory on the windshield?
This information that the insured do not know
The news may be difficult to digest but not all owners can be compensated. In effect, it is not because you are insured that you have guarantees against malicious acts against you. Insurance is, of course, compulsory. on all the vehicles we have (even those that are not running) but the optional guarantees are at the choice of the subscriber. Not all insurance contracts provide compensation in the same circumstances.
In the event of an unidentified intentional malicious act (vandalism, accident), that is to say when the author is not known, the insurance guarantees have their own specificities. This is the case for damage caused during demonstrations, riots or other urban movements. The guarantee covering fire damage is, for example, optional, specifies the website of the France Assureurs federation. For some owners, the note promises to be salty. Not to mention uninsured vehicles, estimated at 800,000 by Olivier Moustacakis, co-founder of Assurland, an online insurance comparator, to AFP.
What insurance have you taken out?
This seems obvious but, above all, to claim any help, it is obviously necessary that the vehicle in question is insured and provided with a registration certificate. From 4 years of existence, it must also have up-to-date technical control.
The assistance provided by the insurer depends on the type of insurance you have taken out. Here are the four most common formulas in order of protection (from most coverage to least coverage):
- Back to back insurance” : this is the insurance you need to be reimbursed for the slightest damage in the configuration of a malicious act. Sheet metal, tyre, glass, rear-view mirror, headlight… Whether they are damaged, stolen or burnt down, the insurance covers them and reimburses you, excess deducted.
- Intermediate formula “fire – theft – glass breakage” : this insurance includes third party + fire, theft, glass breakage. The insurer intervenes and reimburses these situations, minus the deductible. On the other hand, no guarantee is provided in the event of a crushed car.
- Third-party insurance : unlike the rear-view mirror, glass breakage is part of the guarantees covered, less the deductible. Fire is excluded.
- Minimum formula : it only includes civil liability vis-à-vis a third party. In the case of demonstrations and riots, the third party is not identified: neither fire nor theft are covered. The insurer cannot do anything for you.
Once the offense has been caused, it is no longer possible to modify the insurance contract. On the other hand, if your vehicle has not yet suffered any damage, you can always modify it… As a preventive measure.
Steps to get compensation
Here are the main steps to know in the event of a disaster:
- Collect evidence : photos of the vehicle and its environment, press articles, testimonials, videos… Enough to support your case, although this is optional.
- File a complaint with the police
- Report the damage to your insurer within 5 days of becoming aware of the facts. In the event that your vehicle has been destroyed, you must, at the same time, request the termination of your contract. The contributions already advanced will be refunded to you.
In the case of the events linked to the death of Nahel, Bruno Le Maire, the Minister of the Economy requested, on Saturday July 1, 2023, the extension of the declaration deadlines, the reduction of the deductibles and a shortening of the compensation deadlines.
As for the amount of compensation, it depends on the deductible if there is one, the value of the vehicle (estimated by an expert), the type of contract and the insurer. It rarely covers the entire damage and this is, always, without counting on the costs arising from the inconvenience caused. The amount of the deductible itself depends on the model of the vehicle, the type of contract and the insurer.
A remedy for people with the lowest incomes
Are you one of the people who cannot be compensated by your insurance? There is a remedy: the victims’ guarantee fund. The maximum amount of aid is capped at €4,601. Obtaining it is subject to conditions of resources and, in particular, for a single person, not to exceed €18,404. The request is made to Crime Victims Compensation Commission (Civi). “The request must be sent, by registered letter, with acknowledgment of receipt, to the registry of the Civi. It must be accompanied by supporting documents (invoices, medical certificates, etc.)“, specifies the site of the Public Service.
Last option: to turn against the State. According to the Homeland Security Code, he is “civilly liable for damages and damages resulting from crimes and misdemeanors committed (…) by armed or unarmed crowds or gatherings“. This is without counting on the delays emanating from justice…
Read also :
⋙ Nahel, 17, killed in Nanterre by a policeman: his aunt is “afraid” that his mother will do something stupid
⋙ Bank, insurance, purchase: how do I enforce my rights?
⋙ Why take legal protection insurance?