I insure my vehicle to a third party: what I need to know

I insure my vehicle to a third party: what I need to know
Third party insurance, or liability coverage, is the most essential protection for your vehicle. So much so that it is mandatory! It covers you against all damage that you may cause to third parties in the event of an accident for which you are responsible. This is the basic formula offered by all insurers, but it can be enriched with certain essential additional guarantees.

Compulsory insurance
Civil liability
In France, article 1240 of the Civil Code - unchanged since 1804! - provides that everyone must repair the damage they cause to a third party. This is the principle of civil liability: it is the perpetrator of the fault who is required to repair it.

The Civil Code adds that the acts may have been committed "through negligence or recklessness". Thus, even if the fault is committed unintentionally, you may be held liable.

By car, you are therefore held responsible for any damage, bodily or material, of which you may be the cause, even accidentally.

Two circumstances can nullify this liability:

A fault committed by the victim himself
A case of force majeure (irresistible or unforeseeable event)
What does the Civil Liability cover included in your insurance contracts cover?
Compulsory coverage
In auto insurance, liability coverage is called "third party insurance", or sometimes "liability coverage".

This is the basic minimum insurance for a vehicle, and it is compulsory for all land motor vehicles:

Cars, even without a license
Two or three wheels or quads, even unapproved
Motorized riding mowers
 

Any vehicle that can be put into circulation is required to be insured. For example, not driving for a long time, or leaving the vehicle parked on a public road, does not waive the obligation to take out insurance.

Even parked in the street, the vehicle can cause damage, for example if you forgot to apply the handbrake, or even in the event of a fire!

If the vehicle is parked in a private space, for example in a garden, garage or private parking lot, and it is not moving - for example a vintage car that would be on display - insurance is not compulsory.

Driving an uninsured vehicle is a criminal offense in the eyes of the law, and is punishable by a fine of € 3,750. Depending on the circumstances of the offense, certain additional penalties may be applied:

General interest work
License suspension (up to 3 years)
Cancellation of the permit and ban on ironing it for a certain period (up to 3 years)
Obligation to complete road safety awareness courses at own expense
Immobilization and / or confiscation of the vehicle
If no insurance company agrees to insure your vehicle, you can turn to the Central Pricing Bureau (BCT), which can then oblige the company to provide you with at least liability coverage.
What does third party insurance cover?
Covered damage
Third-party insurance covers you against all material damage and bodily injury caused to third parties by your vehicle, if you are held responsible for the accident. Concretely, the insurance will cover all the costs incurred to repair this damage.

The third parties concerned can be all natural persons victims of the accident:

The driver or passengers of another vehicle, even parked
A pedestrian or cyclist, or a resident or occupant of a dwelling or business affected by the accident
A passenger in your vehicle
The insurance can also cover, depending on the case, the material goods of victims affected by the accident.
 Good to know
Third Party Insurance covers you against damage caused to third parties, but not against damage you or the vehicle itself may suffer. To do this, you will need to take out a damage guarantee and / or a personal driver's guarantee (see below).
In the event of an accident, the costs incurred can quickly reach extremely large amounts, sometimes beyond the reach of a traditional budget. This may in particular include:

Medical costs: hospitalization, operations, medication, etc.
The cost of repairing the victim's vehicle: towing, repairs, or even replacement, etc.
Compensation for material or even real estate (for example, if you go into a business)
Who is covered by the warranty?
Third party insurance is attached to the vehicle itself, not to you. Thus, the warranty covers