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The auto insurance contract represents the agreement between an insured and its client. This contract is intended to protect the insured against agreed claims. There is also a reciprocal exchanging of documents. In practice, the insurance company will offer adequate compensation for any damage, in exchange for a monthly premium or contributions at different times (monthly/quarterly, half-yearly). To assert his rights in the event that he is sued, the insured must understand the contract.
What does a car insurance policy include?
Before the signing of an auto insurance contract, the insurance company submits to its client a proposal for insurance. It has no legal effect until the client signs it. However, this milestone allows for the estimation of the methods of applying the guarantees according to the situation.
The following elements must then be included in an insurance proposal:
- An information sheet about the prices and guarantees attached to this document
- A detailed information notice: This must describe the draft contract as well as the terms of application during the exercise.
- Limits and exclusions
- In the event of a dispute, the competent bodies will be taken into custody
The contract for auto insurance must contain certain information. It must be clearly written, sometimes in clear characters, especially in regard to the exclusions of guarantees. The contract itself is a summary that outlines the terms of coverage, including the amount of guarantees and the payment of premium. It also includes the deadlines and declarations to be made.
These elements must be highlighted in the content of the auto insurance contract:
- The price and the extent of the guarantees
- Guarantees for a claim are available
- These are the terms of each guarantee:
- Deductible: The portion of the compensation that remains payable by the insured in case of a claim
- Maximum amount that an insurer will reimburse for a claim: Compensation limit
- Exclusion of Guarantees: Situation in which the provided guarantees are not applicable and there are exclusions or exclusions to contractual guarantees
- Waiting period: Period between the actual subscription and the date that the guarantees are applied.
How do I join a car insurance policy?
You can contact the competent interlocutors to sign up for an auto insurance contract. An online comparator can help you quickly find the best rates, based on your guarantees. The following are the main partners in auto insurance:
- Insurance companies: They are specialist companies. Although they offer an easy way to protect you, their business practices can make it difficult to pay the maximum.
- Banks: Some banks offer auto insurance solutions. Sometimes, these are on preferential terms that may be tied to opening an account or possession of a card.
- Insurance brokers: These insurance professionals are experts in obtaining the best coverage for you. They now represent the preferred solution
You will be able find the best auto insurance by comparing and establishing quotes. The sheer number of auto insurance providers’ contracts should make it necessary to compare them all before you can subscribe to any good auto insurance. Reassure me, one of the online brokers, provides your own insurance comparator. This tool is simple, fast, and completely free to use. It will provide you with precise information about the pricing practices of insurance providers.
What is the number of an auto insurance contract?
Each auto insurance contract subscription creates a unique number that serves as an identifier. This number is communicated at the end the contract, on the Auto Insurance Certificate. It also remains written on your “green butterfly”, (vignette that is necessary affixed to your windshield), and the due date at the end the year.
Your insurer will need to know the contract number for each letter you send. This is so that they can attest to the document’s authenticity and that the information has been cross-checked (name, address, registration). If you have multiple insurance companies, it will help speed up the process.
Information required for the signing of an auto insurance contract
The insurer will give you a questionnaire and a form to fill out at the time of your insurance request. This will allow you to assess the risk that you pose and determine the price of the premium to pay. The insurer will then ask you to respond honestly and in the most complete manner possible.
False declarations regarding the vehicle covered or previous claims could lead to the cancellation of the contract or forfeiture of any compensation. This is insurance fraud. The insurance company may be fined or even bring legal proceedings.
The documents you will need to subscribe for an auto insurance contract
You will need to submit a questionnaire and a completed form. Additionally, you will need to produce documents that attest to your identity and the type and year of vehicle you are covered. This will allow the insurer determine if you are eligible for the requested coverage. These documents are required:
- Information statement provided by the previous insurance, if applicable
- French driving licence valid
- Also known as a registration certificate, it attests the brand, age, date of circulation, fiscal power, and identity of the owner.
The auto insurance certificate is proof of signing the contract
In order to legally attest your subscription to a certain cover, your insurer will issue you an auto insurance certificate. It must be presented at a roadside check by police and kept in case the vehicle is sold. This document must be kept in the same manner that the registration certificate or driver’s licence.
To prove your vehicle is properly insured, you will need to attach the insurance certificate to your windshield. This sticker, also known as the green butterfly, bears the name and address of your insurance company. In the event that you fail to present valid insurance during a check, you could face legal sanctions.
The notice of expiry for the auto insurance contract
Definition of the due date for auto insurance
This document, also known as a schedule, is sent to you by your insurer when your contract expires. It represents the end of your guarantees. To take into consideration the notice period for the insured’s will-to-terminate, he must reach your office within the prescribed time limits. The schedule should remind you of the amount due and the settlement deadlines.
It turns out that most auto insurance contracts work on a tacit renew principle. This means that the guarantee terms are automatically renewed every year in the absence of any declaration by either party indicating that they wish to terminate the contract at its maturity.
Notice of the due date for auto insurance application
Chatel law, dated January 5, 2008. This law required insurers to give a notice of due date. It was passed to strengthen consumer insurance law. This provision prevents insurance companies’ abuse of tacit renewals, should customers wish to cancel their contracts easily.
The notice of expiry must be sent at the latest 15 days before the deadline for termination. For example, if the notice period lasts 2 months, the schedule must be received 75 days before the contract expires. The insured person can pay his premium in principle within 10 days of the due date, except when the notice of expiry has been sent less than 15 calendar days before the notice period. To make up for the lashes to the insurer, he will have 20 days to settle.
In the event that the insurer does not send the notice of expiry, the client can terminate the contract at any time without penalty or notice period. The client can terminate by sending a registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. The insurance company must reimburse the premium portion not used within 30 day. Legal interest follows.
What are the deadlines to sign an auto insurance contract?
The delay in withdrawing the auto-insurance contract
The withdrawal period is the time allowed to the insured to cancel his agreement. This can be done by sending a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt. This period is for reflection and should allow the insured to reread and analyze the contract. Auto insurance does not automatically include a withdrawal period.
This is how an insured person can withdraw his policy within 14 days if his contract was concluded in one the following ways:
- You can also pick up by phone
- Response to a direct mailing
- Signed contract online
In all other cases, there is no withdrawal period and cancellation is usually impossible. Before signing, it is important to carefully read the agreement.
The payment deadline for the auto insurance premium
In order to avoid financial sanctions or legal proceedings, the insured must take the payment of the auto insurance premium very seriously. Customers have the option to pay their annual premium by either monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly contributions.
The contract expiry date is the deadline for payment and must be strictly observed. Failure to pay can lead to termination of the contract.
The insured person has a period of 10 days from the due date to pay his premium. If he fails to do so, his insurer may send him notice of formal notice. After receiving the mail, the insured has 30 days to settle his account. After that, the contract is suspended. The insured has a final period of 10 days to pay the amount due. After that, the contract can be terminated. The insurer can pursue for redress for any unpaid premiums.
The deadline to declare a change in your auto insurance situation
The deadlines to declare a change in situation aren’t specific to auto insurance. They apply to all insurance. A change of situation must indicate a change to the risk covered in order to be declared. To notify the insurance company of a change of vehicle or addition of a second driver, for example, so that they can take appropriate actions.
The modification of risk, either upward or downward, will affect the premium due. The deadlines for submitting a change of circumstances by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt are as follows:
- 15 days to increase your risk
- Reduce your risk by 3 months
The auto insurance claim period
To be eligible for the insurance company’s compensation in the event that there is a claim, you must declare the claim within the allowed time. It is important to attach to the claim (by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in agency, or sometimes directly on website of the insurance company) any documents that could speed up the reimbursement process or provide evidence. Photographs, purchase invoices, and copies of the complaint in case of theft are all useful.
The current reporting deadlines are generally the following (although each contract may have its own):
- 2 days from the finding for theft, burglary, or vandalism
- 5 days to prepare for a catastrophe such as an accident, starting from the occurrence
- 10 days to repair damage from a natural disaster after publication of the ministerial declaring the disaster as such
The insurer will then have a maximum of three months to submit a compensation proposal. You can either accept it or reject it. The appraisal report can extend the time period before compensation in the event that the file study is more extensive and longer.
The auto insurance waiting period
You must report a claim to your insurance company once you have determined that you are entitled to compensation. The waiting period is the time between the actual occurrence and the insurer starting to reimburse you (which can happen in multiple stages).
The waiting periods are not limited to a specific legal duration. Each contract can determine their scope. Insurers must send a proposal for compensation within three months after the claim is declared. Otherwise, additional costs will be added to the indemnities.
Modifications to the car insurance contract
The addendum for the auto insurance contract
In the event that an auto insurance contract is modified, the insurer may add an addition which attests to the effective subscription of an additional guarantee. This document must be provided by the insurance company to you. You have the right to change your contract at any time, provided you follow the instructions of the insurance company.
Any change in the situation that modifies the covered risk must be reported within the time limit. Modification of risk refers to an increase or decrease in the premium, depending on the nature of your change. You can also negotiate with your insurer to change the terms.
The declaration in an auto insurance contract
Insurers are very vigilant when it comes protecting clients from the potential risks they may present. To determine if the applicant is financially viable, an in-depth analysis of the application file will be required. This form allows you to gather all information about the applicant, including the type of vehicle and its use.
In this instance, it is prohibited for the insured to make false statements in the auto insurance contract. This practice could not only expose him to conflict with the insurance company but also to legal penalties. False declarations can lead to the cancellation of the contract or its nullity, or in a lesser degree, to the forfeiture of rights to compensation. This could be because it is fraud or attempted insurance fraud.. It is up the insurance company to determine if the false statement is due an oversight, omission of voluntary lie. This can have severe consequences.
Modifying an auto insurance contract requires that you send a registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt. This will allow you to request a subscription for a new guarantee, or to cancel another. In order to request a modification in your auto insurance contract, you must send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
How do you suspend your auto insurance contract?
The insured can terminate auto insurance at any time provided that the rules are followed. Recent legislation is more in line with consumers. They can easily terminate their auto insurance contract any time they wish.
You must make sure that the new contract is immediately replaced if necessary. Subscription to car insurance in France is a legal obligation. Your auto insurance is intended to cover your vehicle and any damage it might cause.
It can be time-consuming and frustrating to go through the personal steps, especially if you have to request multiple quotes for auto insurance. An online comparator can help you save time and ensure that you get the best price.
