His name may mean nothing to you, but that of his city probably means more to you. After being a victim of flood on October 17, Vincent Bony, the mayor (PCF) of Rive-et-Gier (15,000 inhabitants, Rhône), let anyone who listened to him know that his insurance company did not pay him a kopeck for cover the damages. Even if the bill is at least 2 million euros. And for good reason: this is precisely the amount of the deductible applied by the company in question.
“Since the riots of 2023we apply a deductible of 2 million euros to continue and challenge the public authority, but the law now requires us to apply this maximum deductible in the event of a natural disaster. We know that this constitutes a huge burden for a municipality like this, but we have started discussions so that the law evolves.” reply to The Sunday Tribune Patrick Blanchard, managing director of SMACL Assurances SA.
For this company, the cost of claims has quadrupled between 2021 and 2022 to reach 100 million euros that year, an amount that should be around 40 million in 2024. In addition to floods, the natural disaster regime covers droughtearth movements, cyclones and hurricanes, earthquakes, avalanches, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Unlike storms, hail, snow and frost, covered by insurance guarantees.
“After the violent winds, I had damage to my bell tower, leaks in the village hall and the communal house. So many consecutive losses caused my insurance bill to jump by 14%. Added to the increase automatic of 10% as decided at the national level, this is + 24%! Since then, I have feared that my contract will be resolved. The State must challenge the insurers minimum insurance. testifies Angélique Dieuaide, councilor (Unlabeled) of Thannenkirch (460 inhabitants, Haut-Rhin), crusader at the congress of mayors.
I don’t think she said it that well. The coastal communities, at the forefront of the acceleration of climate changeare not systematically covered. The agglomeration of Sables d’Olonne (Vendée) does not have property damage insurance, confides, surprisingly, Yannick Moreau, president (Various right) of the national association of coastal electors (ANEL).
In his department as elsewhere, the swelling shrinkage of the clay, which causes cracks in the housesremains the other major subject of the elect. In Montaigu-Vendée, the mayor (Diverse right) reported 300 reports among his 21,000 citizens, but the city is not recognized as being in a state of natural disaster. “The voluntary appeal has been poorly studied. We are powerless,” sighs Florent Limouzin. In Saint-Barthélemy-de-Bellegarde (510 souls, Dordogne), Brigitte Cabirol (Unlabeled) systematically pursues the State but is rejected every time, unlike the other communes in their intercommunality.
And this while every Frenchman who has made a damage insurance contract with his insurer – home, car, etc. – is automatically insured against natural disasters. A especially called “CatNat”. applies systematically: 12% for goods and 6% for the “theft and fire” premium for motor vehicles. To guarantee the effectiveness and sustainability of this regime in the long term, these taxes will pass, from January 1, 2025,
to 20% and 8%.
At the same time, the Central Reinsurance Fund (CCR), public reinsurer that offers, with the guarantee of the State, coverage against natural disasters and uninsured risks to companies operating in France, will be sent by the government. He must create an “Observatory of insurability in France”, that is to say a map of the areas most exposed to “CatNat” hazards.. Publication is expected in the first half of 2025.
