2023-11-02 13:46:48
Downed trees, fallen power lines… Storm Ciaran and its gusts of nearly 200 km/h in places caused a lot of damage last night. Le Figaro takes stock of the steps to take if your house or property has been affected.
Storm Ciaran blew hard in the north-west of France last night, with winds approaching 200 km/h in Finistère, for example. Trees uprooted, power and telephone lines falling… A lot of damage was recorded in the affected departments. “We will be very careful to ensure that insurance plays its role, particularly in the speed of the expertise.», assured the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin this Thursday noon during an update on the storm from the Civil Security Crisis Center in Paris, affirming that he would quickly contact the president of France Assureurs, Florence Lustman,so that all individuals have rapid access to their insurance and compensation».
How to get compensation in the event of damage caused to your home or car? What goods are covered? Le Figaro takes stock of the steps to be taken.
Do we have to be insured against storms?
You should know that any home insurance contract must contain a storm guarantee, which covers all damage caused by wind, underlines France Assureurs, the federation which brings together the vast majority of French insurance companies. For example, a falling tree, a damaged or torn roof, or furniture damaged by rain following damage to the roof. There is therefore no need to wait for the state of natural disaster to be officially declared by the State to receive compensation – which has not yet been recognized in the case of storm Ciaran.
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The declaration of natural disaster is, however, necessary for damage caused by flooding, such as the overflowing of a watercourse, runoff following heavy rain or sewer backups. “Regarding flooding, a natural disaster regime is possible. We are going to work on it today, we are seeing the Prime Minister at the end of the day to work on all of this», said Gérald Darmanin this Thursday noon.
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What are the steps to take to receive compensation?
It is essential to contact your insurer as quickly as possible, by telephone, email, registered letter or otherwise. The insured have in fact within five days to make their claim for compensation. The latter must describe the damage suffered and a quantified list of all property destroyed or damaged with invoices, photos, notarial deeds or any other proof. “Depending on the description of the first damage, your insurer will tell you whether the visit of an expert is necessary or not.», specifies France Assureurs.
At the same time, it is recommended to “take all necessary measures to avoid worsening damage to your home (covering the damaged roof, sheltering furniture, clearing if necessary, etc.)“. To put all the chances on your side, it is also advisable to take photos of the damage, and to collect the invoices for the damaged goods. “If you repair part or all of the damage yourself, keep your material purchase receipts : they will be taken into account by your insurer», Adds the federation of insurers.
What property is covered?
The storm guarantee in your home contract automatically covers the main building of your house if it has been damaged by violent winds. In the event of major damage making the house uninhabitable, rehousing (or security) costs are covered by the insurer under certain contracts. In this case, the insurer covers the cost of the hotel or any other temporary accommodation solution during the period when the accommodation remains uninhabitable.
As for the other spaces in the accommodation, the cellar is also automatically insured. Which is not necessarily the case for annex buildings, swimming pools, verandas, or even hard fences. “They are generally insured if they are mentioned in the contract», Indicates France Assureurs.
As for damage to your car, it is covered “under the all-accident damage guarantee of your contractassurance auto or by the damage insurance of your car, generally fire insurance», Explains the professional organization of insurers. On the other hand, third-party insurance is not enough to claim compensation for your vehicle.
How much is the compensation?
For damage to buildings, reimbursement is based on the reconstruction value. “The insurer covers the costs of repairs on the basis of an estimate as long as it has validated it and it does not exceed the value of the building declared in the contract.», Details France Assureurs.
As for the furniture,it is insured under the same terms as for a fire“. Reimbursement depends on your insurance contract: some provide reimbursements at replacement value, others apply obsolescence coefficients. In all cases you will have to pay a franchise. It often remains less than 380 euros, rising on average between 150 and 200 euros, according to France Assureurs. The same goes for damage caused to the vehicle.
When is compensation paid?
If the time before receiving your compensation will depend on the contract signed and the damage suffered, insurers have the maximum three months to compensate the victims. These three months starting on the date of submission of the estimated state of damaged property or losses suffered, or on the date of publication of the natural disaster order in Official newspaper.
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