After the banks, it is the turn of the insurers to announce that they are going to make a small gesture for the purchasing power of households. Received this Tuesday by Bruno Le Maire, Minister of Economy and Finance, France Assureurs, the sector federation, “promised” to limit the increase in insurance premiums “below inflation” in 2022 and 2023 Or less than 5%. Last week, bankers for their part made a commitment not to increase their bank charges by more than 2% in 2023.
A “car check” of 100 euros will also be offered to unemployed customers under the age of 25. Other targeted measures should follow in the “coming days and weeks”. For its part, Axa, the leading French insurer, will, among other things, freeze premium rates for those under 30 and offer a check for €100 to customers who hold a single insurance contract with AXA to insure their vehicle and €50 for the taking out home insurance.
“I think we have reached the best possible agreement in a situation which is very tense for the insurance world,” said Bruno Le Maire. Companies are facing an explosion in claims costs, in particular linked to climatic hazards, with already 5.2 billion euros recorded for the January-August period against 3.5 billion euros per year on average since 2017. Despite this, we share the minister’s ambition, which is to help fight for purchasing power,” insisted Florence Lustman, president of France Assureurs.
“These are just measures”
Really ? In reality, forecasts were already calling for a premium increase of 3 to 5% next year, below inflation. The boost announced this Tuesday morning is therefore not really an effort made. “The mountain gives birth to a mouse, as expected,” laughs Olivier Moustacakis, CEO of Assurland.com. The government and insurers want to show that they care about the purchasing power of the French. These are just measuring cups. »
Same bitter reaction from consumer associations. François Carlier, general delegate of the CLCV, denounces a “lack of effort” on the part of insurance companies. “I would be curious, for example, to see how many people are affected by the car check for 100 euros. Often, unemployed people under the age of 25 do not have a car, or are still under the flag of their parents. Rather than a major communication campaign, we would have preferred a major transparency campaign. »
François Carlier points to the “significant savings” made thanks to the massive drop in claims during confinement, over the past two years, which “have not been passed on to consumers. The increase in weather claims costs this year cannot hide everything. »