The scale of the climatic events that occurred in 2022 and, more recently, the earthquake that hit the west of the country on June 16, shone the spotlight on the compensation scheme for victims of natural disasters, called “Cat Nat”. . In addition to earthquakes, this system, created in 1982, covers marine flooding, floods, landslides, avalanches, volcanic eruptions (and cyclones and hurricanes overseas).
How to guarantee its financial sustainability, despite the multiplication of claims? A mission, named in May by the government, must submit recommendations to the latter in the coming months. Another mission must look precisely at the phenomenon that worries the most: these houses which crack due to the dryness and the shrinkage-swelling of the clays (RGA) of the soils. The Senate will also take up this subject within the framework of the examination of a bill brought by the Green MP Sandrine Rousseauadopted by the National Assembly in first reading, in April.
This Cat Nat scheme has however already been reformed recently, by the Baudu law (named after former MoDem MP Stéphane Baudu) of December 28, 2021, and several new provisions apply for claims occurring from January 2023.
The deadline for declaring the claim to the insurer, from the publication of the decree recognizing the state of natural disaster (condition for compensation), has thus been extended from ten to thirty days. The costs of the architect and project management related to the restoration of the property, when these services are compulsory, are also now covered by the scheme.
Whereas previously the inhabitants of municipalities that did not have a foreseeable natural risk prevention plan saw their deductibles increased, this mechanism has been abolished. “It created misunderstanding among the victims, who considered it unfair to be penalized for the lack of action by the municipality”explains Franck Le Vallois, Managing Director of France Assureurs.
Relocation costs
A key measure of the Baudu law was due to come into force in early 2023, but has been postponed : coverage by the scheme of the costs of rehousing victims of a natural disaster, up to six months, if their house is no longer habitable – currently, this depends on the home insurance contract with very variable durations . It will concern claims occurring from 1er January 2024.
On this date, a novelty much less favorable to the insured must also apply: RGA compensation will be reserved for “damage likely to affect the solidity of the building or hinder the normal use of the building” – purely aesthetic damage would no longer be covered. This principle, enshrined in an order of February 8, must be clarified by decree in the Council of State. The government says it wants “better targeting of compensation”. “Insurers remain attentive. If the measure is not well framed, it could significantly reduce the number of claims covered and cause a lot of dissatisfaction, without really relieving the finances of the scheme.believes Mr. Le Vallois.
You have 27.21% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.