The optional guarantees of your auto insurance

The optional guarantees of your auto insurance
Faced with the number of options offered by auto insurers, choosing a plan suited to your needs can quickly become a real headache! Third party insurance is, in all cases, compulsory. The choice of optional guarantees depends essentially on the nature of your vehicle, its value, your use… and of course your budget and your risk aversion! To find your way around, here is an overview of the options and formulas generally available on the market.

Compulsory third party insurance
Third party insurance covers your civil liability in the event of damage caused to a third party, whether material or bodily injury. This is the basic insurance for a vehicle, and it is compulsory. It is materialized by the green card on the windshield.

Failure to comply with this obligation constitutes an offense, which may result in a fine as well as a license suspension or impoundment of the vehicle.
Third party insurance "plus"
Insurance companies frequently offer extended third-party insurance packages, which include a number of essential guarantees. The formulas may vary from one insurer to another.
Damage guarantees
What are the most common damages?
Broken glass
This warranty often only covers certain parts of the vehicle: front windshield, windows, rear window, sunroof, front lights, etc. Rear lights and mirrors are rarely included, but may be the subject of additional guarantees.

Fire and theft
Your vehicle is covered here in the event of destruction by fire or theft, either at the value of the vehicle on the day of the accident, or at a fixed value provided for in the contract.

The conditions regarding theft can be complex at times - be sure to read the contract carefully. Compensation is always conditional on filing a complaint, and may be accompanied by significant deductibles (especially for two-wheelers). Scams or breach of trust are often not covered.

Natural or technological disaster, storm or attack
Included here are various force majeure events that could damage your vehicle. The application of the guarantee generally depends on the publication in the Official Journal of a ministerial order confirming the state of disaster for the area concerned.

Collision
This guarantee is often offered as an option. It covers damage caused in an accident with a clearly identified third party, for example a pedestrian, another vehicle (which has therefore not fled), or an animal whose owner is identified. This does not cover the event of a collision with a tree or any other obstacle on the road.
The driver's personal guarantee
It allows you to cover the bodily injuries that you could suffer in the event of an accident, even if you are responsible for it. It is triggered from a medically determined threshold of disability. As a reminder, third party insurance only covers damage suffered by a third party, and not by yourself.

In concrete terms, the insurance will cover medical costs (hospitalization, surgery, drugs, prostheses, etc.), which can quickly reach very large amounts in the event of a serious injury. Also included are cases of temporary incapacity, disability or even death.
 To know
The amount of compensation is generally capped. You can then opt for an enhanced personal guarantee, which will increase this compensation limit.
Legal protection
This guarantee provides you with support if you encounter a problem with your vehicle, resulting in a dispute: for example with a mechanic, or with another driver in the event of an accident, in the event of theft, etc.

In some cases, legal action may be taken, either by you or by the other person involved. Such a lawsuit will result in a number of potentially significant costs, which will then be covered by the insurance:

Attorney fees
Expertise fees
Procedural costs
Assistance
The assistance guarantee covers the cost of towing your car if you break down or have an accident.

Insurers generally apply a kilometer deductible: then you are only covered beyond a certain radius from your home. However, some formulas will offer you assistance without kilometer deductible, known as “0 km”. Thus, you are taken care of even if you break down below your home!
All-risk insurance
All insurers offer "all risk" insurance plans, which provide comprehensive protection for your vehicle. Again, each insurer offers its own formulas, and each benefit may be the subject of a separate option.