-
Water damage to homes: Which areas of France suffer most?
We also look at the recommended steps to take to protect your property
-
How much should you pay for house insurance where you live in France?
We look at average prices around the regions of France and the main cities
-
Phone scams, gardening, insurance claims: 5 French practical updates
Our roundup of recent practical articles you may have missed
Do I pay twice for insurance?
Like many expats who have retired, I enjoy golf, boules and randonnée, and my wife does Scottish dancing.
For all these pastimes in France you have to have a licence, and/or a letter from your doctor, despite the fact that if you take out car and house insurance you are told you are covered for personal accident.
If you query why you need all these licences in order to enjoy yourself, the answer in all cases is that “it is to cover insurance”.
I once had an accident when my golf-cart overturned and I damaged my hand.
The fire brigade was called and arrived quickly, giving me first aid, and took me to hospital. A doctor put in 26 stitches and bandaged me up.
The hospital charged me 50 centimes after I produced my carte vitale.
Presumably, the fire brigade is funded by our taxes ?
Please can someone explain the need for all these insurances? I would be quite happy to have my personal insurance and the fire brigade’s.
Douglas Duncan, Cotignac
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France