Car insurance in France for expats

Bienvenue to France – the country of romance, history and heritage. If you have recently become a French expat, firstly congratulations! Secondly, it is time to settle down and blend with French culture. And, one of the most important aspects of settling in France is maneuvering through the country’s winding roads and streets with the right vehicle.

How to find the best car insurance company if you don’t speak French? You can right-click anywhere on the page of the provider with your mouse (if you are using Google Chrome). A dropdown menu will appear with the text: “translate this page to English”. This will make it easier for you to make the right choice.

List of car insurance companies in France

We have listed the most reliable car insurances in France below while using the following criteria:

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Mobile Operator	Specifications
	1 Allianz France, accessible through assurance.allianz.fr, offers a straightforward and efficient solution for expats needing car insurance. Their policies cater to the unique requirements of expats, ensuring easy management and comprehensive coverage. Key features include multilingual support and an intuitive online platform, simplifying the insurance process for those new to France. This makes Allianz France a practical and reliable choice for expats looking for hassle-free car insurance.	Visit Allianz.fr
	1 Direct Assurance,provides a streamlined approach to car insurance that can be particularly beneficial for expats. Their system simplifies the process of obtaining car insurance, with an emphasis on ease of use and efficiency. Additionally, their platform allows for quick access to policy information and adjustments, a feature that is invaluable for expats who often need to manage their affairs on the go. Direct Assurance’s straightforward approach makes it a practical option for expats seeking uncomplicated and reliable car insurance.	Visit Direct-assurance.fr
	1 Leocare key USPs include rapid policy activation, where you receive your insurance certificate instantly even on Sundays, ensuring no delay in getting your vehicle insured. The offerings are comprehensive yet priced reasonably, including essential guarantees with 0km assistance for all contracts. The entire process is digital, eliminating paperwork and simplifying the insurance experience – a significant benefit for expats who often juggle multiple transitions.	Visit Leocare.fr

Mobile Operator

Specifications

Allianz France, accessible through assurance.allianz.fr, offers a straightforward and efficient solution for expats needing car insurance. Their policies cater to the unique requirements of expats, ensuring easy management and comprehensive coverage. Key features include multilingual support and an intuitive online platform, simplifying the insurance process for those new to France. This makes Allianz France a practical and reliable choice for expats looking for hassle-free car insurance.

Visit Allianz.fr

Direct Assurance,provides a streamlined approach to car insurance that can be particularly beneficial for expats. Their system simplifies the process of obtaining car insurance, with an emphasis on ease of use and efficiency. Additionally, their platform allows for quick access to policy information and adjustments, a feature that is invaluable for expats who often need to manage their affairs on the go. Direct Assurance’s straightforward approach makes it a practical option for expats seeking uncomplicated and reliable car insurance.

Visit Direct-assurance.fr

Leocare key USPs include rapid policy activation, where you receive your insurance certificate instantly even on Sundays, ensuring no delay in getting your vehicle insured. The offerings are comprehensive yet priced reasonably, including essential guarantees with 0km assistance for all contracts. The entire process is digital, eliminating paperwork and simplifying the insurance experience – a significant benefit for expats who often juggle multiple transitions.

Visit Leocare.fr

Whether you have brought over your car to France, have purchased one upon arrival or are looking to rent a French vehicle, there is no substitute for the right insurance. Quite understandably, car insurance France ought to be your top priority. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the A to Z of premium yet cheap car insurance in France for expats. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

Who Needs Car Insurance in France?

According to the French 1958 Insurance Code Law –

“When using a vehicle, any natural or legal person who is not the state and whose civil liability may be incurred for damages suffered by third parties due to harm to people or property in which a vehicle is involved must have liability insurance and meet the requirements set forth by a decree from the Council of State.”

In other words, anyone owning a motorized vehicle and using it on French roads needs a car insurance. This includes foreign nationals and expats, such as –

Government employees and contractors, such as embassy staff
International educators and teachers
Non-profit workers
Health care workers
Missionaries
Retirees living abroad
Remote workers and digital nomads
Families and persons traveling internationally
Any person living and working abroad

A car insurance is mandatory in France to cover you if you ever cause damage to another person or their vehicle. Driving in France without a car insurance is a punishable offense and you can be fined €3,750, or more, depending on the situation.

How to Get A Car Insurance in France for Expats and Non-residents

All non-residents or expats contemplating buying a new or used car in France or importing their old vehicle from their hometown to France need a car insurance. To do so, you have to follow the steps mentioned below –

If you have a car in France, you must get it registered.
For the registration process, you need a permanent French address and the residential proof
Your ID card and Passport
A valid French or EU driving license
All details of your previous driving history, insurance history and no claims

Types of Car Insurances for Expats in France

To get the best car insurance in France as an expat, you must know about the types of vehicle insurances prevalent in the country. These include –

Third-party Insurance

It is a basic coverage car insurance that delivers the minimum vehicle warranties mandated by the French law. If you want to drive your car legally on the French roads, a rudimentary third-party insurance is all you need. It is mandatory to ensure that the driver’s life is covered in case of any damage. Only third-party damage is covered by this insurance.

Third-Party Insurance +

As the name suggests, the third-party insurance + is a better and more robust choice if you are looking for more guarantees, enhanced coverage and stellar security. This insurance covers the cost of damage by fire, explosion, risk of theft, breakage, etc. It is a viable option if you drive your car everyday.

All Risk Insurance

All risk insurance ensures the highest coverage on your vehicle. But quite obviously, this insurance is pretty expensive. Besides covering up the damage cost of injury by any third-party, the all-risk insurance all covers the damage for any personal injury and damages.

Mileage-based Insurance

Last but not least, some car insurance companies in France also offer mileage-based insurance to non-resident car owners. This insurance is designed in a way that you have to pay according to the kilometers you drive your car.

It is essential to remember that mileage-based insurances cover the risks for drivers only if they drive the car respecting the contracted mileage. If you cross the maximum kilometers covered, the insurance will not cover any damage. In case you drive your car very occasionally, then insurance-based mileage can be a good option.

What Is The Cost of Car Insurance for an Expat In France?

The cost of an expat car insurance France varies on the basis of individual cases and the overall situation. For some, the cheapest car insurance in France may cost around EU 400, whereas for others it may be much lesser than that. However, on an average, you have to pay a minimum of EU 400 to 800 annually for third-party insurance policies. However, under special circumstances and with specific insurance companies, you might have to pay EU 1000 or more, as well.

Ultimately, the premiums of your chosen car insurance will depend on certain factors, such as –

Your age
Your driving experience and track record
No-claim bonus
The main purpose of using the car (vehicles used for business purposes have a higher premium)
The place you live in
The anticipated risks
The intended yearly kilometers

Wrapping It Up

So, there we have it, a comprehensive overview of car insurances for expats and non-resistances in France. To get the best deal, you can opt for French car insurance comparison sites. They offer a great deal of insight on the ideal policies for your unique needs. Currently, there are more than a hundred insurance companies in France. These include mutual insurance companies, third-party car insurance, private insurance companies and even banks.

The options you have are varied and widespread. With the right research, you are sure to find a car insurance policy that speaks to your needs. The main goal while selecting the insurance should be to find a deal with great policies and rates. Likewise, if speaking French is a challenge for you, then you can choose English-speaking international car insurance providers, as well. The field is truly open!