2023-07-03 20:58:14
Burned cars, at the bottom of the buildings of the Pablo-Picasso city, in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), June 28, 2023. CLÉMENCE LOSFELD FOR “THE WORLD”
The procedure is always the same after looting, damage and fires: the process of compensation for damages suffered by affected individuals, traders, businesses and local authorities begins with the filing of a complaint, followed by declarations of claims to insurers.
The insurance sector was therefore one of the first to be called upon by the government: on Saturday July 1, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, and the Minister Delegate for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Olivia Grégoire , asked him “simplicity, speed and kindness”. But a new meeting, Monday, July 3, did not give rise to any immediate announcement, a sign that the call for goodwill is not so easy to transform into concrete measures.
The insurers have, of course, promised an extension of the declaration deadlines, usually limited to five days, a simplification of the administrative formalities and, for some, an acceleration of the payment of the installments. But the question of deductibles which will remain the responsibility of the insured, which Bercy wishes to see reduced as much as possible, seems more difficult to decide.
Read the story: Article reserved for our subscribers Looting, fires, attacks: the staggering results of the days and nights of riots in France
Different treatments according to the insurers
At Allianz France, for example, “the normal treatment of claims is the application of the deductibles provided for in the contract”explains Pierre Vaysse, director of the property and liability insurance unit. “Requests for flexibility are understood more in terms of responsiveness and support, then of a commercial approach on a case-by-case basis. »
For its part, BPCE has chosen to completely abolish deductibles for damage to the property of professionals and, subject to conditions, for burned or destroyed vehicles belonging to individuals.
For companies and traders forced to interrupt their activity, compensation for operating losses is another cause for concern. It should certainly not give rise to thousands of disputes, as was the case after the confinement of 2020, but as with franchises, it will undoubtedly be limited to the specific conditions provided for in the contracts.
However, while almost all of these include “riots and popular uprisings” cover, this covers immediate damage but not operating losses: for these to be compensated, the insured must have taken out additional cover. .
The town hall of L’Häy-les-Roses (Val-de-Marne), July 2, 2023, barricaded after the riots. WILLIAM KEO/MAGNUM PHOTOS FOR “THE WORLD”
For individuals, the main damage is covered by the car insurance contract, which does not systematically cover fire and other voluntary damage. Subject to means testing, owners of burnt-out vehicles that are not covered may apply to the Crime Victims Compensation Commission (CIVI), but the compensation that the latter can grant is capped at 4,602 euros.
You have 42.83% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.
#riots #bill #heavy #insurers #pressure #government