We are returning to France shortly and I have emailed my car insurers twice to ask them to re-instate my car insurance from “au repos - Fire and Theft” to third party as it was prior to our departure for Australia and asked them to send me confirmation that it is done, that would be acceptable in case of “Contrôle Routier” till I can receive and display the tag on my wind screen.
After the second reminder, I only received a response telling me that someone will look into my file and let me know where I stand. That is already 4 days ago. I don’t think that it is very professional, although a very reputable insurance company in France. I thought of changing insurers already in the past for several reasons: this particular one now and the premium cost that I find excessive. My questions here to the forum are:
Can anybody recommend a reliable car insurance in France? My car is French, registered in France. We live in France but might tour Italy, Spain and England.
How much notice should I give my present insurer before subscribing to another one?
Any recommendations regarding how to go about my present insurers.
Just to address the other issue you asked for re cancelation. Most insurers want 2 months notice and that is 2 months before the renewal date I reccomend earlier. Or the other way is when they send you your renewal cancel it straight away. Both need a cancelation letter by recorded delivery. If you go to any of the insurance comparison site you can find a letter of resiliation, you just fill in the details. If you leave it to late they will be on your back threatening baliffs etc. I went through the wringer with AXA and had to go to the head of AXA to get them off my back. Bonne chance
I've dealt directly with Axa in the past and found them fine so I used one of their local agents here for some years. However when the son of the owner took over the business I found the service deteriorated. I think the agent thing is a bit of a lottery so I moved our house and three cars directly to MAAF and have found them very friendly, competent and competitively priced. I've also been through the claims process with them and had prompt payment and no issues.
I was with Axa - with their Nice office - who 6 years ago claimed to be the only English speaking Axa agency in France (and still do I think). Perhaps you'd better speak to them before you make your claim to be the first. I left the Axa Nice office after 2 years because they were incompetent and inefficient and then moved the insurance to my local Axa office but they were just as bad - but in French ! After a further two years I changed to Alliance who had a local and helpful French office but it got too expensive after a couple of years. I'm now with my Bank - Credit Agricole - who offer a much cheaper car insurance with the same cover as I was getting at Allianz/Axa.
Thanks to all for your comments. It looks like I have opened a can of worms. I understand that we tend to grade an insurer depending on whether we had a problem or not. I finally had a response today from my auto insurers (after my third email), so for now my problem is solved, till I return to France, then I will certainly review my position and follow some of the suggestions I received here. Thanks again - John
I have used Nick Chubb at Asttral for over 4 years , all the staff are English / English speaking and they cover all forms of insurance . His details are below and have always offered quick, reliable and informative advice
ASSURANCES TERRESTRE & TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
Independent Broker
Quotations sourced from a panel of Major Insurers
Dedicated English speaking team to help and advise
All regions of France covered
Health, Property, Cars, Marine, School, Business/Commercial and Cargo.
English Speaking Team
Asttral has developed an experienced English speaking team focused on advising and arranging the most suitable Insurance policies for the Ex-pat community in France. Importantly, the team has developed a keen understanding of many clients concerns. Consequently, if you wish to discuss your personal requirements, contact us at:
Hi kate and John. I work for AXA and we are opening the first dedicated English speaking agency in France next week. If you would like to speak to me about your car insurance I would be only to happy to help
You're getting lots of advice! Mine would be talk to Lena Eaton who is a Generali agent who has this website www.french-insurance.com. She and her team offer a complete hand holding service and after 11 years dealing with her I can't recommend her enough.
I use Generali - Bruno Sellier, 9 pl Jean Monnet, 16100 Cognac - cognac@agence.generali.fr - 05.45.82.03.20. One of the main reasons for choosing them is that they are English-speaking. (I don't yet trust my French language skills enough!) I've had 4 cars insured with them - all of which were initially foreign registered - and have never had a problem.
I use my Allianz local broker for both my car and complement health insurance. I like the personal service I get in the office. Nothing has been too much trouble and either the agent himself or the office manager will patiently explain things I don’t understand.
I can thoroughly recommend Peter Owen who helped us through the maze of French car and also health insurance and got really good cover. Here are his details:-
Comparison sites are fine and will give the cheapest options but if you need service you should use a broker. We have always used BIBA for our cars and house - Gaye Galliver (or Kathy) at bibasarl@wanadoo.fr or 05 53 01 13 84. They have always helped us when we had questions and we have never had a problem when we had to make a claim
If you do go for assurland make sure you use an email address that you can abandon afterwards,
Eurofil online only was miles the cheapest for our banger
http://www.opinion-assurances.fr compares what people think of their insurers, which I hope amounts to how likely they are to diddle you if you make a claim.
